In that time he’s built Alter into a state small-school power. He’s also seen the game change and it has nothing to do with the spread offense.
At least 17 new area head coaches will be in place from last season. That’s a continuing trend that has hit high school sports programs hard, including boys and girls basketball.
“The enjoyment you get from putting together an entire program on the high school level where it deals with the student body, the parents, the administration, the teachers and the kids, there’s a lot of satisfaction to be found in that,” Domsitz said.
“I would encourage young people to get into that. We’re losing a lot of good coaches. The Baby Boomers, a lot of them are retiring. We’re going to need some good men to fill those spots over the next few years.”
Like most area teams, Alter begins its season today in what’s become an annual visit to its “home” field, Roush Stadium, to play rival Fairmont. But Alter also has “home” games at Centerville, Springboro and Welcome Stadium.
Here’s a few other things to know about this high school football season:
Crosstown Showdown: Several area teams will play in four Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown games to open their seasons. The 16th annual event will feature southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky teams in 25 games and began last week in Kentucky.
Thurgood Marshall and new coach Robert Brown will meet Middletown at 7 p.m. today at Welcome Stadium. Three more games with area teams will be played Saturday: Fenwick vs. Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy at Kings, Franklin vs. Carlisle at Monroe and Stebbins at West Carrollton. The Saturday games are at 7 p.m.
Blitz alert: Flyin' to the Hoop creator Eric Horstman couldn't help himself and will debut the Premier Health Backyard Blitz at Centerville on Saturday.
There will be two games: Pickerington Central will play Goose Creek (S.C.) at 4 p.m., followed by Centerville vs. Glenbard North (Ill.) at 8. It’ll also mark the debut of new Centerville coach Rodney Roberts, who left Franklin to succeed Ron Ullery.
Flyin’ is among the nation’s best midseason boys basketball tournaments. Horstman said the Blitz won’t grow to Crosstown Showdown size but likely will expand and stay at one location. Centerville is committed to host again next season.
Making their points: The computer point system designed by Jack Harbin remains in place in determining which teams advance to the postseason.
The system has been tweaked by the Ohio High School Athletic Association over the years to account for ties and out-of-state opponents. What hasn’t changed is the first- and second-level points.
Teams are awarded the maximum first-level points for winning a game. Second-level points are based on wins by a beaten opponent.
This is the second year for an expanded seven divisions. D-I is made up of two regions and 16 teams in each qualify for the playoffs. There are four regions in Divisions II-VII and the top eight teams in each advance.
Championship weekend: It still takes five weeks/games to win a state title. What has changed is the location. All the title games have moved from Massillon and Canton in Stark County to Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 4-6.
One of the divisions that has its playoff games anchored on Fridays will be moved to Thursday, Dec. 4. There will be state-title tripleheaders on Friday and Saturday.
Reporting results: Contact Cox Media Group Ohio with information as soon as possible by email only after all varsity high school athletic contests, including football. A results form for all sports has been sent to each school's athletic director and forwarded to coaches and program statisticians.
Send to sports@coxohio.com.
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