Know it all wrote: Time for a big, big change and many of you that don't like this topic or the possible move to Columbus might be in for a surprise.

Take a poll, fella's. If you asked 100 high school football players if they would rather have a playoff game in the Massilon/Canton area or at the "shoe" do you honestly think Massilon/Canton would win? If you say yes you are in some serious denial. Will the playoffs be moved? Many and I do say many of us hope so. The only thing I liked about the area was Beldon Village. Parking was a joke in Massilon and driving 4 hours from Portsmouth, Ohio made the experience one myself, family and 2 other car loads of friends will NEVER do again. That area for high school playoff games has ran it's course. It's old news. Time for a change.

Know it all wrote: ^Why would they even consider not showing games live? Daaa Did you ever consider many want to watch the games, but have NO WAY or DESIRE to drive 10,000 miles to see them in person? Hence...live TV. Attendance drops and it's because of television. Poor excuse. Some of you just don't get it. People are VERY tired of the travel time to that area. Plain and simple. Face it. Many fans aren't coming back to and have no desire to.

Little Danny wrote: I don't even argue this point any more. People in Stark Co. like to remind everyone in Ohio that it is their birth right for the games to playd there, and the OSHAA will never move the games.
However, if you think the games won't be well attended in Columbus you are mistaken. First of all, as every has pointed out, Columbus is centrally located and much closer for people in places like Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield, Zanesville, Newark, etc. to go to. Second, much of Columbus is made up of people from other towns in Ohio. There are a boatload of transplants from Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo, the Ohio Valley, etc. here. If their hometown team or a team that typically plays their hometown team, makes state, you can believe they will be at the game. Third, for those who talk about the economy being an issue-- what part of the state has the best economy? What part of the state has the discretionary income to go the game? Hmm.... Central Ohio of course.

ts1227 wrote:

SUPER787 wrote: I Haven't looked this up yet, but didn't OHSAA just vote recently ( this past season) to keep the playoffs in the present location for what, 2-4 years?
Cheers

http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/440788147/ohsaa-extends-football-finals-contract-with-stark-county-through-2011/

December 2008, they picked up a 2 year option (2010 and 2011) on the existing 3 year contract.

SUPER787 wrote: We should hear about that soon.

GoChiefs wrote: Crew still has grass..which is IMO, why it wasn't included in the package. I think the only thing that is going to hurt Columbus is the sheer size of The Shoe. If it was at Crew instead of The Shoe..if Crew had turf of course...I think it would be a sure win for Columbus.

Rbirdsman01 wrote: I would agree that Crew stadium would be a great place for the finals. I've seen football games there before and you aren't too far from the action. But we all know the OHSAA wants turf, so Crew is out. Has anyone heard anything about Akron U. trying to get in on the party with their new stadium?

Al Bundy wrote: I also think Columbus would have a major problem on the years that the finals fall on Thanksgiving weekend since the Big Ten moved the conference schedule back a week and OSU/Mich is now on Thanksgiving weekend.

Altor wrote:

Al Bundy wrote: I also think Columbus would have a major problem on the years that the finals fall on Thanksgiving weekend since the Big Ten moved the conference schedule back a week and OSU/Mich is now on Thanksgiving weekend.

I can only find tournament dates on the OHSAA site through 2012, but I'm sure they know what the dates will likely be for 2013 and 2014.

There is no conflict for the date in 2012. In 2013, the Game will be in tsun and there is no conflict on the date. 2014 is the only one to worry about, and I'm sure they've already checked on that.

Remember, the bid is only for 3 years, beginning in 2012.

racerdog95 wrote: Why not have it rotate each year.

year 1 - University of Cincinnati/Bengals Stadium
year 2 - The Ohio State University - Horseshoe
year 3 - Masilion/Akron
year 4 - University of Bowling Green/University of Toledo

and then repeat

racerdog95 wrote: So the people that want it to stay must be local to that area.. It should be either at a central point of the state, or rotate it to make it closer to home for people. I am sure the people in the south or North West would like a chance to have the state championships in their backyard as well

racerdog95 wrote: So the people that want it to stay must be local to that area.. It should be either at a central point of the state, or rotate it to make it closer to home for people. I am sure the people in the south or North West would like a chance to have the state championships in their backyard as well

racerdog95 wrote: So the people that want it to stay must be local to that area..

racerdog95 wrote: Why not have it rotate each year.

year 1 - University of Cincinnati
year 2 - The Ohio State University - Horseshoe
year 3 - Masilion/Akron
year 4 - University of Bowling Green

and then repeat