This is an abrupt change from its February meeting, when the OHSAA/Ohio High School Football Coaches Association tournament committee unanimously opposed adding a seventh football division.
The wide disparity in D-I boys enrollment figures - compared to the other five football divisions - has been a long-simmering issue among smaller D-I schools. Last season, D-I teams were comprised of 118 schools with male enrollment numbers of 494 and more.
In the Greater Western Ohio Conference, Centerville has the largest boys numbers (1,095), followed by Central Division members Beavercreek (960), Fairmont (881), Springfield (857), Wayne (793) and Northmont (716).
GWOC North member Troy (552) is among the smallest D-I football programs and lost 21-20 in OT to Upper Arlington (685) in the first round last season.
The Southwest District has three of the largest D-I boys-enrollment schools in Fairfield (1,161), Cincinnati St. Xavier (1,164) and Mason (1,154). Greater Miami Conference member Hamilton (973) is close to those numbers.
By comparison, D-II has the most disparity of the five other divisions with a difference of 166 boys. D-V (51) has the smallest.
The following were boys enrollment figures for football divisions last season:
D-I: 494 and more (118 schools).
D-II: 327-493 (119).
D-III: 243-326 (120).
D-IV: 172-242 (122).
D-V: 120-171 (116).
D-VI: 119 and less (122).
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