West Wins Cleveland All-Star High School Football Game Battle

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle

The 37th Annual Cuyahoga County East-West All-Star Football Game went to the West squad 14-12 Friday night. To read about the game from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, click here.

For high school football news from around the nation, click here to go to The High School Football Huddle.

Herbstreit Challenge Back, But in Columbus

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

My blood really starts pumping for the upcoming season when schedules start getting released!

Today we'll kick things off by looking at match-ups from national and regional interstate football gatherings that are popping-up like weeds since Kirk Herbstreit introduced his Ohio vs. USA extravaganza several years ago.

The event is now known as the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series, and is back for its fifth year with four games being played over two days late in August. A week later, the series moves to Dallas for four games in Dallas on September 7th.

Headlining the August 29 doubleheader at Ohio Stadium in Columbus is defending national champ St. Thomas Aquinas from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Raiders, who have former Ohio State star and NFL Pro-Bowler Cris Carter as an assistant coach, will play Upper Arlington in the first game. Westerville South will play Hilliard Davidson in the second contest on the 29th.

“The Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series presented by BURGER KING is by far the nation’s top high school
football event,” said Cris Carter. “We have a great high school football tradition here at St. Thomas Aquinas and
we’re excited to be a part of the series again in 2009. This year’s version of the event is extra special for me as I get a
chance to coach in the stadium where I have so many memories from my playing days. It’s also the stadium where my
son will create memories of his own. It should be an unforgettable weekend.”

Carter's son Duron and former St. Thomas Aquinas Raider is a freshman wide receiver for the Buckeyes this year.

On Sunday, California powerhouse Orange Lutheran from Southern California will face Pickerington Central in the second game of the day. In the opener, Olentangy Liberty will take-on Dublin Coffman.

"I am thrilled that Ohio Stadium and the city of Columbus have been selected to host the 2009 Kirk Herbstreit Varsity
Football Series presented by BURGER KING in Ohio,” said Kirk Herbstreit. “When I took the field at Ohio Stadium for the
first time, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream. I am so happy that these young athletes will be able to share in the
same experience. I have always been a strong believer in the lessons and values learned through high school athletics.
We look forward to making the 2009 Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series an experience that these athletes will never
forget."

All of the Ohio games will be televised on either ESPN or ESPNU. The Dallas match-ups will be announced in a couple of weeks.

LeBron James Would Have Been A Great Catch for College Football Team

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle
There's nothing better than starting a Sunday morning with the New York Times sports section! Today's paper was particularly chock-full of interesting feature stories, including one that looks back at LeBron James' high school football career at St. Vincent-St. Mary.

While King James didn't play football his senior season to protect the NBA riches that were ahead of him, he did have a very solid seasons. Click here to read Jonathan Abrams good story that includes a great pic of James as a high school wide receiver.

To check-out news from around the nation, click here to go to The High School Football Huddle.

Fairfield Names New Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Fairfield is looking from within to try to turn around its high school football program. Aaron Fitzstephens, a former Indian player in the mid 90's has been named as the school's new head football coach. Fairfield has only won two games over the last three seasons. Click here to read more.

To read about news from around the national, click here to go to The High School Football Huddle.

Ohio to Allow a Third Pre-Season Scrimmage

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Starting this fall, Ohio High School Athletic Association football schools will be permitted to participate in three preseason contests instead of two. The third contest, known as a Jamboree, As in the past, may be held anytime between August 14 and August 22.

A Jamboree is a contest played in accordance with National Federation of State High School Associations playing rules for a game that can last between two quarters to a full game. The Jamboree will provide football teams with a "game-like" tune-up prior to the first official game and will give school athletic departments an additional revenue generating activity.

In addition, schools that sponsor a Jamboree will contribute a portion of the income to the OHSAA to help defray costs of providing catastrophe accident insurance coverage. OHSAA catastrophic accident insurance provides coverage for more than 300,000 Ohio interscholastic athletes in the event of a catastrophic injury (medical bills exceeding $25,000). The annual cost of the insurance is $700,000.

"I think the coaches are excited that they will be able to provide their players with another tune-up prior to their first game," Daniel B. Ross, OHSAA Commissioner. "By charging admission, it will also give our member schools another revenue source during these tough economic times.

"In addition, the revenues generated will assist in paying the annual insurance premium, which provides catastrophe accident coverage for member school students who are athletes, managers, trainers and cheerleaders within the entire interscholastic program," Ross added. "By approving the Jamboree, our Board of Directors believes this is a 'win-win' for everyone."

For more high school football news from around America, click here to go to The High School Football Huddle.