OHSAA Announces State Football Title Games Moving to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon

The OHSAA announced on Thursday that this weekends state football title games are being moved to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

The move from Fortress Obetz in southeast Columbus came after a new health advisory issued by the Franklin County Department of Health was issued on Wednesday and a recommendation was made that games not be played in Franklin County.

There will not be any changes to the schedule for the six games to be played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Games Friday and Saturday will be played at 1:15pm and 6:15pm, while Sunday games will be at 12:15pm and 5:15pm.

In one interesting twist to the games, Akron Archbishop Hoban High School has agreed to play Massillon Washington on Massillon’s home field in the Division II championship game.

The OHSAA has now designated Hoban as the home team in the game.

“Completing this weekend’s state championship games is very important to the schools, student-athletes and communities, so we felt strongly about finding a place to play,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute.

“These 12 schools just want to play and we thank them for accepting this change. We would also like to especially thank Massillon Washington High School for stepping up to host, and also Hoban for agreeing to play there.”

Paul Brown Tiger Stadium served as a host of the OHSAA football state championships from 1990 through 2013.

“This is a big change at the 11th hour, but Massillon Washington can accommodate these games and the number of fans that are permitted to attend,” said Beau Rugg, OHSAA Senior Director of Officiating and Sport Management and the OHSAA’s football administrator.

“We are pleased to be playing football this weekend and are excited that these 12 schools will be able to finish their seasons.”