Football
02/22/24- Football Draft Realignment for 2025 through 2026 seasons Released
Football Alignment Update and Opportunity to Play Into a Higher Class and Withdraw from District
TO: Superintendents, Principals, Athletic Directors and Designated Representatives of Football Playing Schools
FR: Commissioner Julian Tackett
RE: Update on the Drafting of 2025 and 2026 Football Alignment, Opportunity to Withdraw From District Play or Make Other Notes for Consideration
At its meeting in January, the KHSAA Board of Control discussed and confirmed the parameters surrounding an alignment of teams in football for the 2025 and 2026 playing seasons. This communication is solely about classification and geographic alignment development. The needed information was received from the KDE around the mid part of January, and has been formatted in accordance with the Board’s approved process. Information about the realignment, including drafting maps, is available online on the khsaa.org/football website, by selecting the “Football Alignment/Realignment Information” pull-down menu.
Your response to the linked form is due on or before APRIL […]
02/20/24 – Board of Control Approves Draft of 2025, 2026 Football Alignment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEB. 20, 2024
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its fifth regularly scheduled meeting of the 2023-24 academic year on Tuesday in Lexington, approving an initial draft football realignment that would be effective for two years starting with the 2025 season.
With the approval of an initial draft, a survey of all member schools will be conducted to determine postseason participation for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Pending member school feedback upon distribution of the alignment draft, any appeals and potential adjustments will be finalized at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting in May.
Each year, Board members are reminded that the officers for the following year are elected at the fifth meeting of the year. The Board annually elects a president-elect from its membership to serve the following year and then transition to the role of president in the second year following. On Tuesday, the Board selected Warren County Public Schools […]
02/08/24 – NFHS Announces Football Playing Rule Changes
Home Team Uniform Requirements Clarified in High School Football Rules
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS – Language in the 2024 NFHS Football Rules Book will be changed in an effort to ensure consistent interpretation of the rule regarding requirements for home team uniforms in high school football. Next season, all home team jerseys must be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts with white.
This uniform change in Rule 1-5-1b(3) was recommended by the NFHS Football Rules Committee at its Jan. 14-16 meeting in Indianapolis and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. The Football Rules Committee is composed of one member from each NFHS member state association that uses NFHS playing rules, along with representatives from the NFHS Coaches Association and NFHS Officials Association.
Previously, the rule regarding home team jerseys stated that the jerseys of the home team “shall be a dark color that clearly contrasts to […]
01/17/24 – Board of Control Looks Ahead to Winter State Championships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JAN. 17, 2024
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its fourth regularly scheduled meeting of the 2023-24 academic year on Wednesday in Lexington, approving status reports regarding upcoming winter state championships and items for possible action at a later meeting.
Following a data review conducted by KHSAA staff, the inaugural Girls’ Wrestling State Championships in February will be preceded by multi-region meets at Caldwell County (Regions 1-2), Central (Regions 3-4), Bryan Station (Regions 5-6) and Montgomery County (Regions 7-8). Due to the difference in participation numbers of teams and individuals, the pattern of regions and sites will differ between girls’ and boys’ competitions. Girls’ wrestling participation is on the rise in the first year of sanctioning a state championship, however, growing from 378 registered girls’ wrestlers in 2022-23 to 586 participants this season.
The Board also discussed a staff review of member schools’ requirements to submit individual and team roster entries unique […]
12/11/23 – Football Official of the Year Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DEC. 11, 2023
Each year, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association honors the top officials for the 10 sports in which it licenses officials. Finalists in each sport are selected through a combination of not only on-field performance but local association activity and leadership, training efforts and the mentoring of newer officials.
One official in each sport is named “Outstanding Official of the Year” for their sport in appreciation of their dedication and service to schools and student-athletes across the state. Winners are selected following consultation with local assigning secretaries, veteran officials’ observers, coaches throughout the state and additional staff review.
The Outstanding Official of the Year for the 2023-24 football season is PD Harris of Grayson. Each finalist will receive a commemorative watch and certificate courtesy of the Officials Trust Fund, with the Official of the Year receiving an additional recognition award.
With officiating numbers declining at the national level, the […]
12/6/23- Football Schools Reminded to Submit Spring Practice Date Options
Per KHSAA Bylaw 23, each school must submit its spring practice dates on or before December 15, 2023, for the spring, 2024 spring practice period.
Each football school may conduct ten (10) spring practice periods of not more than two (2) hours in length and not more than one practice per day over ten (10) days during three consecutive calendar weeks, which shall be chosen by the school on or before December 15.
Failure to submit the schedule by this date will result in a loss of the ability to conduct spring football practice.
Upon appeal of the member school Principal, dates may be selected for a school not submitting them on time, with the latest available start being the Monday following the original published Spring Break for the school.
THE SETTING OF THESE DATES IS A FUNCTION OF THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND NOT PERSONNEL IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE SPRING SPORTS CONFLICTS.
Go to this […]
11/29/23 – UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Football State Finals to Kick Off at Kroger Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOV. 29, 2023
The 2023 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Football State Finals will kick off this weekend with all six championship games at Kroger Field on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington.
Action gets underway on Friday, Dec. 1, with the Class 1A final at noon ET, featuring Raceland (11-3) vs. back-to-back reigning champion Pikeville (11-2) in a rematch of last year’s state championship game.
Friday’s competition continues with the Class 2A final at 4 p.m., featuring undefeated Owensboro Catholic (14-0) vs. 2022 state runner-up Mayfield (12-1).
Friday night will conclude with the Class 4A final at 8 p.m., featuring Covington Catholic (14-0) vs. three-time reigning champion Boyle County (14-0) in a clash of undefeated titans that have combined for 19 state titles overall.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Class 3A final will commence at noon with reigning champion Christian Academy-Louisville (13-1) vs. Bell County (13-1).
On Saturday at 4 p.m., […]
2023 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine State Football Finals Award Winners
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 1A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Brenden Anthony, Pikeville
- Runner-up – Raceland
- Champion – Pikeville
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 2A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Jutoriaus Starks, Mayfield
- Runner-up – Owensboro Catholic
- Champion – Mayfield
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 4A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Montavin Quisenberry, Boyle County
- Runner-up – Covington Catholic
- Champion – Boyle County
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 3A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Cole Hodge, Christian Academy-Louisville
- Runner-up – Bell County
- Champion – Christian Academy-Louisville
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 6A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Clinton Sansbury, Trinity (Louisville)
- Runner-up – Bryan Station
- Champion – Trinity (Louisville)
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 5A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Deuce Bailey, Bowling Green
- Runner-up […]
11/15/23 – Board of Control Adopts Changes to State Formats For Swimming, Indoor Track & Field, Girls’ Wrestling; Sets State Archery Site, Accepts Results of Bylaw 9 Amendment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOV. 15, 2023
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its third regularly scheduled meeting of the 2023-24 academic year on Wednesday in Lexington, approving changes to the Swimming State Championship format and event implementation plans for the inaugural Indoor Track & Field and Girls’ Wrestling State Championships.
The Board approved the selection of Russell County High School (Regions 1-3), the University of Louisville (Regions 4-6) and Scott High School (Regions 7-9) as 2024 State First Round sites for Swimming and approved revisions to relay card procedures for the regional and state meet rounds to help address facility deck and crowd capacity concerns.
The Board also approved the increase of the total number of qualifiers advancing from the swimming & diving region meets to the State First Round to 48 per event statewide, including approval of the format structure for those three first-round events. This will result in a total of a total […]
2023 KHSAA Football Third-Round Playoff Pairings Released
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOV. 11, 2023
Matchups for all six classes have been set for the third round of the 2023 KHSAA Football Playoffs, which concluded the opening two rounds of regionally based play last Friday.
Third-round matchups, formatted within a re-bracketed field of remaining teams based on the final KHSAA RPI rankings of the regular season, can be found on the KHSAA website: https://khsaa.org/2023-football-third-round-football-pairings/
Kickoff times will be announced on Monday.
– KHSAA –
About the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association was organized in 1917 and is the agency designated by the Kentucky Department of Education to manage high school athletics in the Commonwealth. The Association is a voluntary nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of 290 member schools, both public and non-public. The KHSAA awards 229 state championships to 59 teams and 178 individuals in 13 sports and six sport-activities, funds catastrophic insurance […]
10/28/23- Football Update 10/28/23
INFORMATION UPDATE
- Apologies in advance for the delay in getting this information to you. Everything was ready just after midnight but there was one single non-submitted score that delayed finalizing everything, including tiebreakers, etc. That score wasn’t received until early this morning. But all should be accurate now.
OFFICIALS AVAILABILITY AND GAME SCHEDULING
- THANK YOU to those schools that cooperated and either voluntarily scheduled on Thursday or Saturday. We could not manage this week without cooperation.
- From this point, ANY Friday night game will only have five officials. If you desire 7, select Thursday or Saturday.
- Most of the matchups were determined more than a week ago, and thanks to the nearly 65% of you who got your information submitted this week.
PLAYOFF INSTRUCTIONS
- Though the instructions have been on the KHSAA website for several weeks, some are just now realizing they need them.
- See the complete fall instructions link […]
10//24/23- Football Playoffs Update
The following is to update schools regarding the 2023 Football Playoffs, with particular emphasis on Rounds 1-4.
OFFICIALS AVAILABILITY AND GAME SCHEDULING
Last week, we held a conference call with our assigners, with the following data gleaned from that call.
- Clearly, they feel comfortable with assigning, at most, between 85 and 88 crews for the first round if all contests had five officials. We have 95 games currently scheduled.
- Simply put, we will need to have some schools play on Thursday night or Saturday night if we are going to be able to ensure that full crews of officials are assigned.
- And be mindful that last year, we had 20 schools desire a full crew of seven officials for the first round.
- Simply put, the supply/demand equation is not balanced right now.
- We have around 80 first-year officials and for the most part, the assigners are not as comfortable with those officials in […]
10/06/23 – KHSAA Announces 2022-23 NFHS State Coaches of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCT. 6, 2023
As part of its annual awards program, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches Association recognizes Coach of the Year honorees from each state. Those named Coach of the Year at the state level then advance for consideration for Sectional Coach of the Year honors. Winners are chosen through a combination of their coaching accomplishments, particularly for the season in question, as well as their contributions outside of competition to help grow their respective sports. These awards are announced following the recognized year.
The complete list of 2022-23 honorees from Kentucky is below.
- Baseball: Jeremy Shope, Whitley County
- Boys’ Basketball: Josh Cook, George Rogers Clark
- Boys’ Cross Country: Brian Ruggles, North Oldham
- Football: Keegan Kendrick, Bullitt East
- Boys’ Golf: Kyle Congleton, Madison Central
- Boys’ Soccer: Stephen Collins, Ryle
- Boys’ Swimming & Diving: Mike Essig, Trinity (Louisville)
- Boys’ Tennis: Al Hertsenberg, Covington Catholic
- Boys’ Track & […]
10/06/23- Football Playoff Schedule Request and Football RPI Clarification and Clean-up
FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULING REQUEST
As teams start qualifying for the playoffs, we are asking for schools’ help in scheduling, especially in the first round. As all are aware, our supply of officials is not at the levels we were during the early 2000s when we had abundant numbers. Many of our associations, including some of our larger groups, have struggled to return to even their pre-COVID legals in terms of numbers. As such, staffing that first round which is always difficult, is likely very problematic, especially if all teams insist on trying to play on the same Friday night. Our assigners are very conscious of the need to only use those that feel are “playoff ready”, and really need your help on these dates.
There are distinct advantages to playing on Thursday or Saturday that negate the usual concerns about different preparation weeks, etc. Teams seem to be very adept at moving games during fall […]
2023 Football District Three-Way and Two-Way Ties
FINAL FOR 2023 REGULAR SEASON
NO RPI CHANGES ONCE POSTSEASON BEGINS
2023 RPI Running Bracket Helper – Rounds 3/4
RPI VALUES FINAL FOR 2023
List of remaining teams updated weekly with remaining teams ranked in RPI order by class
Values for RPI remain unchanged after regular season is complete.
10/02/23- Football Nominations Sought For Midway Student Athlete-of-the-Year Awards
The KHSAA is excited to open the nomination process for the Midway University/KHSAA Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year among Football participants for 2023-2024 Midway University previously expanded its partnership to include both male and female nominations.
This award is based on athletic and academic achievement as well as community service and leadership. The link to the application contains additional criteria and a form to nominate one participant from each 2023-2024 team. Nominations must come from a member school, but can be submitted by an administrator, guidance counselor, or coach. Nominations may only be submitted online at https://khsaa.org/ge35-midway-university-khsaa-student-athlete-of-the-year-nomination-form/
The winner will be announced early in the postseason and current plans call for the winners to be recognized at an awards banquet at Midway University in early summer 2024. From the winners selected for each KHSAA championship, one student-athlete will be selected as the 2023-2024 Midway University/KHSAA Student-Athlete-of-the-Year and announced at the banquet. All […]
09/22/23 – Media Credentials Now Available for Fall Championships
The KHSAA’s online media credentialing system for fall state championships (golf, field hockey, soccer, cross country, volleyball, football) is now live and can be accessed via the following link: credentials.khsaa.org
Credentials to each KHSAA state championship event are issued by the KHSAA to working members of the media who regularly cover high school athletics. Credentials must be requested prior to the established deadline for each sport through the online credentialing system.
Credentials should be requested by the sports editor/director for all members of their organization needing to attend an event. Credentials for freelance photographers and stringers must be requested by the sports editor/director at the outlet the freelancer will be representing. Media outlets are responsible for the actions of all individuals representing their organization, including compliance with KHSAA policies and procedures. No credentials will be issued outside of the online credentialing system. The KHSAA reserves the right to limit the number of credentials issued […]
09/13/23 – Board of Control Approves Distribution of Bylaw 9 Referendum, Adjusts Swimming & Diving Starting Date
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPT. 13, 2023
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its second regularly scheduled meeting of the 2023-24 academic year on Wednesday in Lexington, approving the distribution of a member school referendum regarding Bylaw 9, an adjustment of the starting date for the swimming & diving season and an implementation plan for the KHSAA Swimming & Diving State Championship First Rounds, as well as the distribution of a member school survey regarding girls’ wrestling weight classes and a timetable for implementing the details of the inaugural KHSAA Indoor Track & Field State Championships.
The Board’s approval to distribute a referendum regarding Bylaw 9 paves the way for distribution to member schools following the 2023-24 KHSAA Annual Meeting in Lexington on Sept. 14. The referendum will include the yes/no option of removing Section 1(a) from the Bylaw, which restricts basketball players who have been in grade nine(9) and then played a contest for the […]
09/12/23 – Initial RPI Rankings Released for Football, Volleyball, Field Hockey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPT. 12, 2023
The first official KHSAA Ratings Percentage Index rankings for the 2023 football, volleyball and field hockey seasons have been posted on KHSAA.org.
Initial RPI rankings can be found through the links below:
RPI Background
RPI is a tool developed for all team sports using the official KHSAA/Riherds Scoreboard data, modeled after, but not identical to, similar measurement tools. It is provided for a variety of reasons, including district tiebreaking and football bracketing, and as a means to increase publicity, interest and promotion of interscholastic athletics. RPI is also used as a tiebreaking/contest-result mechanism to decide seeded district games that are not played by the deadline. RPI rankings are updated on an hourly basis but are not calculated for teams with missing scores from the previous day. Therefore, it is essential for results to […]
09/05/23 – Initial Stat Leader Reports Released for Football, Volleyball, Field Hockey; RPI Rankings Released for Soccer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPT. 5, 2023
The first official KHSAA statistical leader reports for the 2023 football, volleyball and field hockey seasons, as well as the initial KHSAA Ratings Percentage Index rankings for the 2023 soccer season, have been posted at KHSAA.org.
Initial soccer stat leader reports were unveiled on Aug. 28.
Stat leader reports for all fall sports are updated every day at approximately 3 a.m. ET, including only teams missing stats for no more than two games in soccer, volleyball and field hockey and teams missing stats for no more than one game in football.
Statistical entry is required of all member schools, and those failing to meet the requirement to enter stats are subject to penalties from the Commissioner’s office, including fines and other actions within the constraints of Bylaw 27.
Member schools are solely responsible for submitting and validating the accuracy of statistical information. If a school or individual […]
08/23/23- Review Complete for End of Somerset-Perry County Central Football Contest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2023
A statement from the Commissioner’s Office:
This information issues football playing rules interpretations and approved administrative remedies proposed by the local assigning secretary involving a crew of seven football officials following a misapplication of the playing rules in the first regular season contest last week between Perry County Central and Somerset on August 18. This review over the last couple of days and action by the local assigning secretary will result in an adjustment to the schedule for at least one future contest and future playoff assignments for the local association involved.
The review of the Somerset official team video is clear and indisputable as to the actions on the final play of the contest.
- Somerset attempted a field goal with the ball snapped at approximately the five-yard line, with the score 22-21 in favor of Perry County Central.
- On the play, Perry Central blocked the attempt which […]
08/15/23 – Reminder about Shortened and Interrupted Football Games
As a new season begins and with the vast amount of turnover in athletic administrators and coaches, a reminder about the Competition Rules is in order for Football. Interrupted games are not new and have a defined procedure for football.
Within the football playing rules, in an emergency (such as inclement weather where advisories are placed against travel or to seek shelter), teams can mutually agree to shorten any remaining period or terminate the game at any point. If such termination is mutually agreed to, the game shall be recorded as the current score and the game cannot be replaced on the schedule.
Just a couple of reminders and probably the last sentence in the tournament rules is the main point to keep in mind, “All involved shall remember that this situation is caused by elements such as weather that are uncontrollable by anyone, and keep the discussions in that perspective.”
- Per the playing rules, there is […]
08/15/23- Roster/Schedule/Score/Photo, Etc. Reminder for Fall Sports
With fall sports back in full swing, this is a reminder to all coaches and athletic administrators concerning your varsity team schedules, scores, statistics and team photos in the team sports of Field Hockey, Football, Soccer and Volleyball, as well as your rosters (in all sports at all levels).
ROSTERS:
- Students may not participate in interscholastic competitions (including scrimmages and contests) without a valid roster online. The KHSAA system for roster and schedule entry is the only system that meets KHSAA rules and requirements in all sports.
- Athletic Directors (and coaches if your AD has assigned you those rights):
- Please enter your full roster (including freshman, junior varsity and varsity) in the KHSAA School Subdomain. Rosters are required to be submitted to the KHSAA (no other third-party roster system is accepted) prior to any scrimmage or contest.
- To enter your rosters (if you have those rights assigned by your school), log into the […]
08/07/23- Football Online Rules Clinic for Officials Now Available
The mandatory online KHSAA Rules Clinic for the sport of Football is now available. The clinic is required of all officials as well as all coaches (varsity, junior varsity, and freshman) whether or not the coach receives pay.
TO TAKE THE CLINIC, LOG IN TO YOUR ARBITERSPORTS.COM ACCOUNT NOT THE KHSAA WEBSITE
Go to https://khsaaofficials.org
Login using your arbiter name and password
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLINICS
- As they are a condition of postseason eligibility, in the top black bar on the main page for https://khsaaofficials.org, select ELIGIBILITY
- Select that you want the 2023-24 Football Postseason Eligibility by clicking on 23-24 Postseason
- You will see a Blue Hyperlink that says Take Online Clinic
- Go through the clinic following the instructions including any require
- Please note it may be as much as 24-hours before your score is posted
DEADLINES FOR OFFICIALS
- Through September 21 (Officials) – the Football Clinic will be online only […]
8/7/23- Football Online Rules Clinic for Coaches Now Available
The mandatory online KHSAA Rules Clinic for the sport of Football is now available. We appreciate your patience while clarifications were compiled regarding one of the rule changes for 2023. The clinic is required of all coaches (varsity, junior varsity, and freshman) whether or not the coach receives pay.
FOR COACHES
For member schools, the clinics are located on the School Log-in Page. To access the clinic, go to https://schools.khsaa.org/ and — under the section entitled Rules Clinics — click on the link that says “View Online Rules Clinics“.
- Until Sept. 28 (Coaches) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed at no charge during this period through the school subdomain.
- September 29 to October 13 (Coaches) – the Football Clinic will be online only and may be viewed for the makeup fee ($100) during this period.
- October 14 to Oct. 28 (Coaches) – the Football Clinic will be […]
07/18/23 – Board of Control Conducts First Meeting of 2023-24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 18, 2023
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its first regularly scheduled meeting of the 2023-24 academic year on Tuesday in Newport, approving revisions to spring 2024 state championship dates, adopting “playing-up” rule changes for sports classified by size and adopting a new alignment for cross country and track & field.
Tuesday began with an orientation for new and returning Board members before launching into the full Board work session, followed by the full Board of Control meeting. The Board and staff welcomed new members Brandy Carver of Morehead and Mandi Hudson of Georgetown, while KHSAA Office Manager and Assistant to the Commissioner Kara Howard was formally announced as having accepted a newly created events services position on the KHSAA staff. After a favorable annual review by the Board, KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett’s contract was once again renewed for another year.
The 2023-24 baseball and softball state tournaments were approved to […]
07/11/2023- Fall Sports Tryout Reminders
Good afternoon to all member schools. This message is intended for all member schools based on multiple inquiries received in the last few days. Please share this with all members of your fall sports coaching staff, and the coaches of Competitive Cheer and Dance. This post is not intended to be comprehensive regarding all aspects of Bylaw 23, but intended to highlight areas around tryouts.
References for this information come from the Bylaws of the Association, online as part of the KHSAA Handbook. There is not (and has never been) a separate tryout period for fall sports prior to the start of practice. Recently, we have been made aware that several schools have posted “tryouts” for fall sports that are being held prior to the first date of practice. This is not permitted.
SPORTS OF CROSS COUNTRY, FIELD HOCKEY, GOLF, SOCCER AND VOLLEYBALL
- Required activity (including tryouts) can begin for Cross Country, Field Hockey, […]
06/06/23 – Johnson, Ferree Named 2022-23 Midway/KHSAA Student-Athletes of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 6, 2023
The 2022-23 Midway University/KHSAA Student-Athlete of the Year awards program culminated this week on the campus of Midway University, as Rafaella Johnson of Elizabethtown (Cross Country) and George Ferree of Trinity (Louisville) (Wrestling) were recognized as the overall Student-Athletes of the Year.
Beginning in May 2016, Midway has presented a Female Student-Athlete of the Year award at each KHSAA girls’ state championship event. The awards program was expanded in 2019-20 to include male student-athletes, with Midway honoring a deserving student-athlete in each of the 19 officially recognized KHSAA sports and sport-activities.
The awards are based on athletic and academic achievement, as well as community service and leadership, with Midway choosing one overall Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year each academic year. School administrators, coaches and athletic directors nominate student-athletes online at khsaa.org, and the nominees are voted upon by a closed panel consisting of representatives from Midway.
05/10/23 – Board of Control Accepts Reports of Member Survey Results, State Legislation, Officials Licensing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 10, 2023
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its final regularly scheduled meeting of the 2022-23 academic year on Wednesday in Lexington, accepting reports of several member surveys and ballots regarding both new and existing championship sports and sport-activities, as well as reports of Kentucky state legislation and officials licensing.
After officially approving the adoption of girls’ wrestling for the 2023-24 academic year during last February’s Board meeting, on Wednesday the Board approved the return of the KHSAA Wrestling State Championships to Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington through 2024-25 to be held as a three-day event each year.
The Board approved the adoption of boys’ and girls’ tennis team state championships in the spring, along with the existing individually bracketed tennis tournament, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. The Board also approved sponsoring a boys’ volleyball, boys’ lacrosse and girls’ lacrosse state championships beginning in 2024-25, following […]
03/22/23- Off Season Football Activity and Practice Reminders
Based on a series of inquiries in the last day or so, a couple of reminders are necessary for our football schools in an effort to prevent inadvertent violations of the bylaws surrounding football practice and off-season activity. NONE OF THESE PROVISIONS ARE NEW but with large turnover in many areas, a reminder seems prudent.
HELMETS AND EQUIPMENT
- Helmets are part of the player equipment spelled out in the NFHS playing rule 1-5. As such, the use of a helmet is restricted by Bylaw 23, just as all other playing equipment is restricted.
- Helmets may only be issued to players prior to July 10 in the following cases:
- An activity explicitly approved by school administration that is held on campus and involves only enrolled students at the school between the end of the 2022 playing season and July 10, not including the approved and reported spring practice dates. This activity may not […]
02/02/23- NFHS Announces Football Playing Rule Changes
Changes in Basic Spot for Penalty Enforcement Headline 2023 High School Football Rules Changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (February 2, 2023) – A notable change to Rule 10 of the NFHS Football Rules Book will eliminate the excessive penalty enforcements for offensive fouls that occur behind the line of scrimmage in high school football.
This change in Rule 10-4 (Basic Spots) is one of seven revisions recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 8-10 meeting in Indianapolis. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors for the 2023 high school football season.
In a move to achieve one of the committee’s fundamental tasks of maintaining a balance between offense and defense, this revision stipulates the basic spot for enforcement of fouls behind the line of scrimmage is the previous spot rather than the spot of the foul. Current penalties for illegal […]
01/18/23 – Board of Control Approves Football Realignment, RPI Revision, Jenkins Placement in Region 14
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JAN. 18, 2023
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its fourth regularly scheduled meeting of the 2022-23 academic year on Wednesday in Lexington, approving football realignment and revisions to the RPI calculations, as well as the placement of Jenkins in Region 14 for basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball.
The Board’s approved football realignment will be effective during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The current enrollment data used for the 2023 and 2024 classifications are from the 2019-20 and 2022-23 school years. Following significant discussion, the Board elected to adopt a two-year alignment so that the realignment process could begin anew next year (in conjunction with the receipt of fall 2023 enrollment numbers) to allow completion by February 2024, giving schools more than one year to resolve scheduling issues for 2025 and beyond.
2023 Approved Final Football Alignment for 2023 and 2024 Playing Seasons
Class 1A
1- Ballard Memorial, Caverna, Fulton County, Russellville
2- Bethlehem, Campbellsville, Holy Cross (Louisville), Kentucky Country Day
3- Bellevue, Dayton, Newport, Newport Central Catholic
4- Bishop Brossart, Holy Cross (Covington), Ludlow, Trimble County
5- Berea, Eminence, Frankfort, Sayre
6- Fairview, Nicholas County, Paris, Raceland
* 7- Harlan, Lynn Camp, Middlesboro, Pineville, Williamsburg
* 8- Hazard, Paintsville, Pikeville
* – The fifth place team in District 7 will become the fourth place team
in District 7 for the purpose of playoff cross-bracketing
Class 2A
1- Caldwell County, Crittenden County, Mayfield, Murray
2- Edmonson County, Fort Campbell, Owensboro Catholic, Todd County Central
3- Clinton County, Green County, Metcalfe County, Monroe County
4- Fort Knox, Lexington Christian, Shawnee, Washington County, WEB DuBois**
5- Beechwood, Bracken County, Carroll County, Gallatin County, Owen County, Walton-Verona
6- Breathitt County, Danville, Leslie County, Somerset
7- Floyd Central, Knott County Central, Martin County, Prestonsburg
8- Betsy Layne, East Ridge, Pike County […]
2023 DRAFT Football Alignment for Final Consideration
Class 1A
1- Ballard Memorial, Caverna, Fulton County, Russellville
2- Bethlehem, Campbellsville, Holy Cross (Louisville), Kentucky Country Day
3- Bellevue, Dayton, Newport, Newport Central Catholic
4- Bishop Brossart, Holy Cross (Covington), Ludlow, Trimble County
5- Berea, Eminence, Frankfort, Sayre
6- Fairview, Nicholas County, Paris, Raceland
7- Lynn Camp, Middlesboro, Pineville, Williamsburg
8- Harlan, Hazard, Paintsville, Pikeville
Class 2A
1- Caldwell County, Crittenden County, Mayfield, Murray
2- Edmonson County, Fort Campbell, Owensboro Catholic, Todd County Central
3- Clinton County, Green County, Metcalfe County, Monroe County
4- Fort Knox, Lexington Christian, Shawnee, Washington County, WEB DuBois**
5- Beechwood, Bracken County, Carroll County, Gallatin County, Owen County, Walton-Verona
6- Breathitt County, Danville, Leslie County, Somerset
7- Floyd Central, Knott County Central, Martin County, Prestonsburg
8- Betsy Layne, East Ridge, Pike County Central, Shelby Valley
Class 3A
1- Hancock County, Hopkins County Central, McLean County, Trigg County, Union County, Webster County
2- Adair County, Butler County, Franklin-Simpson, […]
12/19/22 – KHSAA Announces NFHS State Coach of the Year Honorees for 2021-22 Seasons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DEC. 19, 2022
As part of its annual awards program, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches Association recognizes Coach of the Year honorees from each state. Those named Coach of the Year at the state level then advance for consideration for Sectional Coach of the Year honors. Winners are chosen through a combination of their coaching accomplishments, as well as their contributions outside of competition to help grow their respective sports. These awards are announced following the recognized year.
The complete list of 2021-22 honorees from Kentucky is below.
Baseball: David Rexroat, Russell County
Boys’ Basketball: William Unseld, Warren Central
Girls’ Basketball: Kristy Orem, Pikeville
Boys’ Cross Country: Ian Johnstone, Conner
Girls’ Cross Country: Tom Stickel, Lexington Christian
Field Hockey: Jody Schaefer, Assumption
Football: Noel Rash, Beechwood
Boys’ Golf: Greg Zimmerer, Christian Academy-Louisville
Girls’ Golf: Sam Westfall, Madisonville-North Hopkins
[…]
12/07/22 – Official of the Year Winner Announced for Football
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DEC. 7, 2022
Each year, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association honors the top officials for the 10 sports in which it licenses officials. Finalists in each sport are selected through a combination of not only on-field performance but local association activity and leadership, training efforts and the mentoring of newer officials.
One official in each sport is named “Outstanding Official of the Year” for their sport in appreciation of their dedication and service to schools and student-athletes across the state. Winners are selected following consultation with local assigning secretaries, veteran officials’ observers, coaches throughout the state and additional staff review.
The Outstanding Official of the Year for the 2022-23 football season is Steve Hendley of Mayfield. Each finalist will receive a commemorative watch and certificate courtesy of the Officials Division Trust Fund, with the Official of the Year receiving an additional recognition award.
With officiating numbers declining at the national level, […]
12/05/22- Update – Football Realignment for 2023 through 2026 seasons
Football Alignment Update and Opportunity to Play Into a Higher Class and Withdraw from District TO: Superintendents, Principals, Athletic Directors and Designated Representatives of Football Playing Schools FR: Commissioner Julian Tackett RE: Update on the Drafting of 2023 through 2026 Football Alignment, Opportunity to Withdraw From District Play or to Play in a Higher Class At its meeting in November, the KHSAA Board of Control discussed and again agreed on parameters surrounding an alignment of teams in football for the 2023 through 2026 playing seasons. This communication is solely about classification and geographic alignment development. The needed information was received from the KDE around the first of December, and has been formatted in accordance with the Board’s approved process. Your […]12/01/22 – UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Football State Finals Return to Kroger Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DEC. 1, 2022
The 2022 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Football State Finals will kick off the first of six championship games at Kroger Field on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington on Friday.
Reigning Class 1A state champion Pikeville (11-2) will face Raceland (13-1) at noon ET in Friday’s opener. At 4 p.m., back-to-back Class 2A champion Beechwood (13-1) will take on undefeated Mayfield (14-0), as Corbin (14-0) looks to remain perfect in the Class 4A nightcap against back-to-back state champion Boyle County (12-2) at 8 p.m.
Play will resume with the same timetable on Saturday, starting with Christian Academy-Louisville vs. Bardstown in a showdown of 14-0 Class 3A squads at noon. At 4 p.m., Male (10-4) is set to make its fifth consecutive Class 6A state final appearance in a matchup with 13-1 Bullitt East. The weekend will come to a close with unblemished Frederick Douglass (14-0) vs. Bowling Green […]
2022 UK Orthopaedics State Football Finals Worker Assignments and Information
PLEASE CONTACT JENNY BY TUESDAY MORNING IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO WORK ONE OR MORE GAMES OF THE STATE FOOTBALL FINALS.
If you have issues contact Jenny Elder (jelder@khsaa.org) at 859-221-1203, Julian Tackett (jtackett@khsaa.org) at 859-229-3916 or Butch Cope (bcope@khsaa.org) at 859-351-1833. We should be back to full strength for staffing this year but need as much time as possible to move things around if someone is unavailable. If you would, you can simply send a text to Jenny confirming that you are working if that works quicker for you. It is important if at all possible that you be available for all games to ensure the best experience for the participants.
As you likely know, Jenny Elder is now our Event Services Director and your primary pre-event contact, while Mr. Tackett and Mr. Cope will be your primary on-site contacts for this event. The preliminary worker’s list for the finals workers is online at […]
11/16/22 – Board of Control Approves Items Passed at Annual Meeting, Distribution of Enrollment Information, Wrestling State First Round Site
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOV. 16, 2022
The KHSAA Board of Control conducted its third regularly scheduled meeting of the 2022-23 academic year on Wednesday in Lexington, approving items passed at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Schools and the authorization to distribute enrollment information to be used in classification upon receipt from Kentucky Department of Education, as well as the recommendation for Atherton to host the 2023 Wrestling State First Round for Regions 1-4.
On Sept. 22, the KHSAA conducted its Annual Meeting at the Central Bank Center in Lexington. Delegates in attendance voted on proposals submitted by the Board for consideration, as required by 702 KAR 7:065 and the annual review of Association rules. The passing of Proposal 2022-01 to amend Bylaw 9 to remove basketball pre-practice restrictions on students in grade 9 and above who have already represented a school was officially approved for 2023-24 adoption by the Board at Wednesday’s meeting. The change […]
11/16/22- Football Schools Reminded to Submit Spring Practice Date Options
Per KHSAA Bylaw 23, each school must submit its spring practice dates on or before December 15, 2022, for the spring, 2023 spring practice period. Failure to submit these dates by December 15, per the Bylaw, results in the school not being permitted to conduct spring practice.
Once submitted, these dates cannot be changed without the request of the member school Principal, and only then, to a period starting with the Monday following the last date of the originally adopted Spring Break for the school. There will be NO extensions due to coaching vacancies, etc. THE SETTING OF THESE DATES IS A FUNCTION OF SCHOOL CALENDAR AND NOT PERSONNEL IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE SPRING SPORTS CONFLICTS.
Go to this link —
http://khsaa.org/fb103-spring-practice-dates-designation/ and submit your dates for 2023 on or before December 15, 2022.
The Spring Practice regulations are reprinted below–
Each football school may conduct ten (10) spring practice periods of not more […]
11/14/22- Information to Order Football Finals Tickets
It is again time for us to turn on orders for the 2022 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine State Football Finals.
Here are some notes about this year’s finals and ticket sales:
- The games will again be played at Kroger Field at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
- Advance ticket purchases INCLUDE parking charges. There will be no additional parking charge for those holding a pre-purchased ticket as any price is included in the ticket fee.
- All ticketing is digital-only through GoFan, the official ticket system for the KHSAA.
- There will be no walk-up cash option for purchasing tickets, the event is digital only!
- The schedule for this year’s event has games scheduled as follows (All times Eastern):
Friday, December 2nd – 1A – 12 PM, 2A – 4 PM, 4A – 8 PM
Saturday, December 3rd – 3A – 12 PM, 6A – 4 PM, 5A – 8 PM
For ticketing details, see […]
2022 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine State Football Finals Award Winners
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 1A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Blake Birchfield (Pikeville)
- Runner-up – Raceland
- Champion – Pikeville
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 2A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Austin Waddell (Beechwood)
- Runner-up – Mayfield
- Champion – Beechwood
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 4A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Avery Bodner (Boyle County)
- Runner-up – Corbin
- Champion – Boyle County
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 3A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Gavin Copenhaver (Christian Academy-Louisville)
- Runner-up – Bardstown
- Champion – Christian Academy-Louisville
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 6A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Travis Egan (Bullitt East)
- Runner-up – Male
- Champion – Bullitt East
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 5A Final
- Mingua Beef Jerky Most Valuable Player – Ty Bryant (Frederick Douglass)
- Runner-up – Bowling Green
- Champion […]
10/03/22- Football Nominations Sought For Midway Student Athlete-of-the-Year Awards
The KHSAA is excited to open the nomination process for the Midway University/KHSAA Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year among Football participants for 2022-2023 Midway University previously expanded its partnership to include both male and female nominations.
This award is based on athletic and academic achievement as well as community service and leadership. The link to the application contains additional criteria and a form to nominate one participant from each 2022-2023 team. Nominations must come from a member school, but can be submitted by an administrator, guidance counselor, or coach. Nominations may only be submitted online at https://khsaa.org/ge35-midway-university-khsaa-student-athlete-of-the-year-nomination-form/
The winner will be announced early in the postseason and current plans call for the winners to be recognized at an awards banquet at Midway University in early summer 2023. From the winners selected for each KHSAA championship, one student-athlete will be selected as the 2022-2023 Midway University/KHSAA Student-Athlete-of-the-Year and announced at the banquet. All […]
2022 RPI Running Bracket Helper – Rounds 3/4
RPI VALUES FINAL FOR 2022 PLAYING SEASON
Values for RPI remain unchanged after regular season. List of remaining teams updated weekly with remaining teams ranked in RPI order by class
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