Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine announced yesterday that he will sign an Ohio Department of Health order permitting contact sports including football, soccer and field hockey to move forward towards playing this fall.
Governor @GovMikeDeWine announced today that he will sign a new Ohio Department of Health order permitting contact sports, including field hockey, soccer & football, to move forward with games against other schools. Full #OHSAA Press Release:
https://t.co/DeCEwUzzyL pic.twitter.com/cPsPzJTUts— OHSAASports (@OHSAASports) August 18, 2020
The news doesn’t have much of a direct effect on the Wisconsin football program as their recruiting reach in Ohio isn’t as great as schools including Ohio State, Alabama and Texas.
It does, however, affect two players in the Badgers’ class of 2021, allowing them to play their final season of high school football; four-star tight end Jack Pugh and three-star outside linebacker Darryl Peterson.
Thank you @GovMikeDeWine!!!! @HobanFootball LET’S WORK!!!! https://t.co/4WP6nJW51j
— Darryl Peterson (@_DPETERSON10) August 19, 2020
This announcement followed the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association maintaining its plan for the fall athletic season.
There are countless unknowns about college and high school football this year and how NCAA eligibility will be affected by some conferences and states not playing fall seasons.
In Ohio, at least, there is now clarity as two future Badgers will be taking the field for their final high school season.