6 county football teams changing divisions; Watkins disputes numbers

COLUMBUS ― Change is in the air for the 2024 high school football season, especially in Licking County.

According to numbers released Thursday by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, six teams will be switching divisions, with four of them going to a division with larger schools, while two will be moving down a spot to smaller schools.

One of those moving up is Watkins Memorial, from Division II, Region 7 to Division I, Region 3. However, the Warriors are disputing the numbers involved. Athletic director Jake Perkins said it occurred due to a clerical error, and that Watkins should still be in Division II. He is attempting to clear it up with the OHSAA. The Warriors were moved up due to competitive balance figures.

Others changing to larger school divisions include Licking Valley (from Division IV, Region 15 to Division III, Region 11), Heath (from Division V, Region 19 to Division IV, Region 15) and Northridge (from Division VI, Region 23 to Division V, Region 18).

All three changes were due to enrollment numbers.

Johnstown (from Division IV, Region 15 to Division V, Region 18) and Newark Catholic (from Division VI, Region 23 to Division VII, Region 27) went down a division, the Johnnies because of competitive balance and the Green Wave due to enrollment.

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: 6 county football teams changing divisions; Watkins disputes numbers