High school fall sports start practice soon

Van Wert independent sports

Believe or not, the 2016 high school fall sports season is just around the corner. Things will get underway this coming Monday, with official practices for cross country, football, golf, soccer, girls’ tennis, and volleyball.

Area football fans will notice some subtle changes this fall. Coming off a 5-5 season (including three 1-point losses), Van Wert will remain in Division IV, but will shift from Region 12 to Region 14.

In Division V, Paulding will move from Region 16 to Region 18, while in Division VI, Wayne Trace will move from Region 20 to Region 22,

After a 4-6 regular season and a berth in the Division VII regional quarterfinals, Crestview will go from Region 24 to Region 26, while Delphos St. John’s will make the same move.

Slight changes are coming to the high school football postseason as well. Beginning November 4, Divisions I, II, IV, and VI will play regional quarterfinal, semifinal, regional championship, and state semi-final games on Friday nights.

Starting Saturday, November 5, Divisions III, V, and VII will take center stage.

For the third consecutive year, state championship games will be played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Dates are set for December 1, 2, and 3.