While nearly a million boys still answer the Friday night lights' call each season, the landscape of high school football reveals a complex and evolving story defined by stark declines, rising safety concerns, shifting demographics, and undeniable academic impact on and off the field.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2022-23 school year, 846,564 boys participated in 11-player high school football across 14,118 schools in the United States, marking a 3.5% decline from the previous year.
- High school football had 1,012 girls participating in 11-player tackle football during the 2022-23 season, up 11% from 2021-22.
- In 2022-23, California led with 88,640 boys playing high school football, followed by Texas with 82,749.
- During the 2021-22 season, high school football injury rates were 12.04 per 10,000 athlete-exposures in practice.
- Game injury rates for high school football in 2021-22 stood at 35.43 per 10,000 athlete-exposures.
- Concussions accounted for 16.5% of all high school football injuries reported in 2021-22.
- High school football academic eligibility violation rate was 2.1% in 2022-23 NFHS data.
- 87.3% of high school football seniors graduated in four years per 2021-22 data.
- Football players had a 3.2% higher GPA average than non-athletes in a 2020 study of 1,200 schools.
- Eric record for single-season rushing yards is 5,096 by Darren Sproles (Pennsylvania, 2000).
- National record for passing yards in a career is 13,923 by Brennan Marion (Texas, 2009).
- Most points scored in a season: 806 by Brandon Young (Pennsylvania, 2000).
- Average high school football program budget was $85,000 in 2022 per NFHS.
- Annual equipment cost per high school football team averaged $25,400 in 2023.
- Booster club contributions funded 42% of high school football budgets in 2022 survey.
High school football participation is declining but remains America's most popular boys sport.
Academic Performance
- High school football academic eligibility violation rate was 2.1% in 2022-23 NFHS data.
- 87.3% of high school football seniors graduated in four years per 2021-22 data.
- Football players had a 3.2% higher GPA average than non-athletes in a 2020 study of 1,200 schools.
- 92% of Division I football recruits from high school met NCAA academic benchmarks in 2023.
- In Texas UIL, football players' dropout rate was 1.8% vs. 3.4% school average 2022.
- California CIF reported 89.5% of football players on honor roll eligibility 2022-23.
- High school football participation correlated with 15% higher college enrollment rates per 2019 study.
- 76% of high school football players pursued post-secondary education in 2020 survey.
- Average ACT score for football players was 21.4 in 2022 College Board data.
- SAT average for recruited high school football players was 1050 in 2023.
- In Florida FHSAA, 94.2% of football players met academic progress standards 2022-23.
- Ohio OHSAA football players had 91% four-year graduation rate in 2022.
- Pennsylvania PIAA tracked 88.7% football player GPA above 3.0 in 2023.
- New Jersey NJSIAA football eligibility compliance was 97.5% in 2022-23.
- Illinois IHSA reported 2.3% academic ineligibility for football in fall 2023.
- Georgia GHSA football players averaged 3.15 GPA in 2022-23.
- Michigan MHSAA 85.4% of football seniors met college readiness benchmarks 2022.
- 68% of high school football players improved grades after team study halls per 2021 survey.
- NCAA qualifier rate for football was 7.3% of senior players in 2023.
- In a 2018 study, football players missed 12% fewer classes than peers.
- High school football teams with academic coordinators saw 22% higher eligibility rates.
- 81% of NFL players credit high school football for academic discipline per 2022 poll.
- Average high school football player's core GPA was 2.9 in 2020 NFHS sample.
- 45% of high school football players took AP/IB courses in 2022.
- Football players had 18% lower suspension rates than non-athletes per 2019 data.
- In 2023, 6,500 high school football players signed National Letters of Intent academically eligible.
- High school football state champions had 94% graduation rate average 2022.
- 73% of football scholarship recipients maintained 3.0+ GPA in college freshman year.
Academic Performance Interpretation
While the occasional academic penalty flag flies, the overwhelming data shows that high school football is far more often a vehicle for academic discipline and success, building student-athletes who are significantly more likely to graduate, attend college, and outperform their non-athlete peers in the classroom.
Athletic Performance and Records
- Eric record for single-season rushing yards is 5,096 by Darren Sproles (Pennsylvania, 2000).
- National record for passing yards in a career is 13,923 by Brennan Marion (Texas, 2009).
- Most points scored in a season: 806 by Brandon Young (Pennsylvania, 2000).
- Single-game rushing record: 659 yards by Darren Sproles (2000).
- Career receiving yards record: 7,546 by Marcus Wheaton (Illinois, 2006).
- Most touchdowns in a game: 11 by Ty Fryfogle (Indiana, 2018).
- National single-season sacks record: 35.0 by Austin Johnson (Wisconsin, 2013).
- Longest field goal: 67 yards by Josh Lambert (Texas, 2012).
- Most interceptions in a career: 41 by Dre Bly (Texas, 1995).
- Team record for points in a game: 152-0 by Madison (Mississippi, 1927).
- Consecutive state titles: 9 by various programs like South Panola (Mississippi).
- Most state championships all-time: 49 by Highland Park (Texas).
- Single-season average yards per carry record: 15.4 by Billy Edwards (Georgia, 1973).
- Passing TDs career: 418 by Chase Roberts (Arizona, 2022).
- In 2023, Mater Dei (CA) averaged 52.3 points per game en route to national title.
- IMG Academy (FL) had 15-0 record in 2023 with +500 point differential.
- Texas 6A state final: Duncanville 42-28 over Stephenville, 2023 attendance 20,000+.
- Florida 1M final: FHSAA champs Miami Central 35-28 over St. Thomas Aquinas 2023.
- Ohio D1 final: Archbishop Hoban 21-17 over Centerville, 2023.
- Pennsylvania 6A: St. Joseph's Prep 21-7 over North Allegheny 2023.
- Single-game passing yards: 786 by Connor Talbott (Kentucky, 2021).
- Kickoff return TD record career: 12 by various.
- Punting average season: 55.1 yards by Cameron Dubose (Alabama, 2019).
- Fumbles recovered career: 19 by Jack Tatum (Ohio, 1968).
- Blocked kicks career: 20 by Joe Mauer (Minnesota, 2001).
- Georgia 7A champ: Milton 34-27 over Grayson 2023.
- Michigan D1: Hudsonville 28-24 over Detroit Catholic Central 2023.
- Illinois 8A: Nazareth 24-17 over Prairie Ridge 2023.
- New Jersey Non-Public A: Don Bosco 31-21 over DePaul 2023.
- California Open Division: De La Salle 35-28 over Serra 2023.
- National high school yards leader 2023: KeAndre Lambert-Smith 2,680 yards.
Athletic Performance and Records Interpretation
From Pennsylvania's backfields to Texas's scoreboards, these records don't just chronicle teenage athleticism but whisper a truth about high school football: that within the chaos of a Friday night, the pursuit of an impossible legacy is the only game that truly matters.
Injuries and Safety
- During the 2021-22 season, high school football injury rates were 12.04 per 10,000 athlete-exposures in practice.
- Game injury rates for high school football in 2021-22 stood at 35.43 per 10,000 athlete-exposures.
- Concussions accounted for 16.5% of all high school football injuries reported in 2021-22.
- Ankle sprains were the most common injury in high school football, comprising 15.2% of total injuries in 2021-22.
- Knee injuries (ligament sprains/tears) made up 11.8% of football injuries during 2021-22 season.
- From 2013-2018, high school football had an overall injury rate of 15.4 per 10,000 AEs.
- Head/facial injuries occurred at 3.12 per 10,000 AEs in high school football practices 2013-2018.
- Shoulder injuries were reported at 2.67 per 10,000 AEs in games for high school football 2013-2018.
- In 2018-19, 7.4% of football injuries resulted in time loss over 7 days.
- Practices accounted for 70.3% of all high school football injuries in 2018-19 data.
- Catastrophic injuries in high school football averaged 6.4 per year from 2013-2018.
- Cervical spine injuries occurred in 25.7% of football catastrophic cases 2013-2018.
- Heat-related injuries in high school football totaled 11,100 from 2010-2020 per CDC data.
- Exertional heat stroke deaths in high school football averaged 1.6 per year 2000-2019.
- In a 2020 study, 47% of high school football players reported a prior concussion.
- Helmet impact sensors detected over 200,000 high-risk impacts in high school football weekly in one study.
- ACL injury rate in high school football was 0.12 per 10,000 AEs from 2009-2018.
- Fractures/dislocations were 9.3% of football injuries in 2021-22 surveillance.
- In 2019-20 partial season, injury rate dropped to 8.2 per 10,000 AEs due to protocols.
- Texas UIL reported 4,200 football injuries treated in ERs yearly average 2015-2020.
- California CIF noted 12% reduction in concussions after rule changes in 2019.
- Florida FHSAA data showed 28.5 concussions per 100,000 exposures in 2022.
- Ohio OHSAA reported 1,450 concussions in football 2022-23 season.
- Pennsylvania PIAA tracked 892 football concussions in 2022-23.
- New Jersey NJSIAA had 567 reported football injuries in 2022-23, 22% concussions.
- Illinois IHSA concussion baseline tests covered 95% of football players in 2023.
- Georgia GHSA mandated Guardian Caps reduced impacts by 32% in 2023 trials.
- Michigan MHSAA reported 2.1 concussions per team average in 2022 football.
- 65% of high school football catastrophic injuries involved equipment failure 1984-2018.
- High school football players wearing newer helmets (post-2011) had 44% lower concussion risk.
- In 2022, 72% of states required baseline neurocognitive testing for football.
Injuries and Safety Interpretation
While the camaraderie and discipline of high school football are invaluable, the sobering statistics reveal a sport where the playbook must increasingly prioritize injury prevention, as the game's inherent physicality delivers concussions, sprains, and heat strokes at a rate that demands relentless vigilance from the sidelines to the statehouse.
Participation and Demographics
- In the 2022-23 school year, 846,564 boys participated in 11-player high school football across 14,118 schools in the United States, marking a 3.5% decline from the previous year.
- High school football had 1,012 girls participating in 11-player tackle football during the 2022-23 season, up 11% from 2021-22.
- In 2022-23, California led with 88,640 boys playing high school football, followed by Texas with 82,749.
- The average number of high school football participants per school in 2022-23 was 60.1 boys for 11-player teams.
- From 2009-10 to 2022-23, overall high school football participation declined by 24.5% nationwide.
- Urban schools sponsored football programs at a rate of 92.3% in 2022-23, compared to 95.1% in rural schools.
- In 2022-23, 6.8% of high school boys athletes played football, making it the most popular boys sport.
- Black or African American students comprised 22.4% of high school football players in states reporting demographics in 2019-20.
- White students made up 61.2% of high school football participants in demographic-reporting states during 2019-20.
- Hispanic or Latino students accounted for 12.6% of high school football players in 2019-20 demographic data.
- In 2021-22, 891,539 boys played high school football, with 14,224 girls participating in any football format.
- Texas high schools fielded 1,455 football teams in 2022-23, the most in the nation.
- Florida reported 70,212 boys football participants in 2022-23, ranking third nationally.
- In 2022-23, 8-player football had 17,622 participants across 1,680 schools.
- 6-player football participation reached 2,345 boys in 2022-23, primarily in small rural schools.
- Public schools accounted for 93.2% of high school football sponsorships in 2022-23.
- In demographic states, Asian students were 1.9% of football players in 2019-20.
- Multiracial students comprised 3.5% of high school football participants in 2019-20.
- Freshmen made up 24.1% of high school football players in a 2018 NFHS sample.
- Seniors represented 18.7% of high school football participants in 2018 data.
- In 2020-21, COVID-impacted year saw 734,594 boys in football, down 16% from pre-pandemic.
- Ohio had 42,189 boys playing football in 2022-23, with strong participation in Division I schools.
- Pennsylvania reported 36,847 football participants in 2022-23 across PIAA schools.
- New Jersey's high school football participation was 32,145 boys in 2022-23.
- Illinois saw 33,682 boys in football for 2022-23 season per IHSA.
- Georgia had 50,234 football players in GHSA schools during 2022-23.
- Michigan's MHSAA reported 38,512 boys in 11-player football for 2022-23.
- In 2022-23, 4.2% of high school students overall participated in football.
- Non-public schools sponsored football at 85.6% rate in 2022-23.
- During 2017-18, football participation was 1,036,842 boys, peak recent year.
Participation and Demographics Interpretation
While still reigning as America's most popular boys' sport, high school football is experiencing a slow but steady national contraction, even as it shows flickers of growth in female participation and remains a resilient, if slightly diminished, Friday night cornerstone in communities from Texas towns to California cities.
Program Funding and Facilities
- Average high school football program budget was $85,000 in 2022 per NFHS.
- Annual equipment cost per high school football team averaged $25,400 in 2023.
- Booster club contributions funded 42% of high school football budgets in 2022 survey.
- Gate receipts generated $15,200 average revenue per team in large-school districts 2022.
- Field turf installation costs $1.2 million average for high school stadiums in 2023.
- 28% of high school football programs fundraised over $50,000 annually in 2022.
- Travel expenses for playoff teams averaged $8,500 per deep run in Texas 2023.
- California CIF schools spent $45,000 average on football coaches stipends 2022-23.
- Florida FHSAA reported $112,000 average program budget for Class 6A football 2023.
- Ohio OHSAA stadium upgrades cost $2.5 million average for Division I schools 2022.
- Pennsylvania PIAA football camps cost $4,200 per team average summer 2023.
- New Jersey NJSIAA non-public schools received 15% more donor funds for football.
- Illinois IHSA Class 8A budgets hit $150,000 with 20% from sponsors 2023.
- Georgia GHSA 7A programs averaged $95,000 budgets, 35% from concessions.
- Michigan MHSAA Division 1 football spent $22,000 on weight room upgrades 2023.
- 62% of high school football stadiums seated over 5,000 in 2022 NFHS survey.
- LED scoreboards cost $75,000 installed for high school fields in 2023.
- Title IX compliance added 18% to football program costs in co-ed districts 2022.
- Average coach salary for head high school football was $5,200 stipend nationally 2023.
- Texas UIL 5A schools generated $250,000 in ticket sales for playoffs 2023.
- 41% of programs used crowdfunding for equipment, raising $10,200 average.
- Press box renovations averaged $180,000 for mid-sized high school stadiums 2023.
- Video replay systems cost $35,000 per install for high school football 2023.
- 75% of large programs had dedicated athletic trainers funded at $60,000/year.
Program Funding and Facilities Interpretation
While Friday night lights may shine on amateur athletes, the financial playbook reveals a semi-professional league operating on booster-fueled budgets, million-dollar fields, and the hope that concession stand profits can outrun the staggering costs of everything from turf to Title IX.
Sources & References
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