High school football's academic results contradict popular assumptions. The graduation rate for players is consistently higher than the school average. This data reveals the sport's role in building student discipline.
Key Takeaways
- High school football academic eligibility violation rate was 2.1% in 2022-23 NFHS data.
- Eric record for single-season rushing yards is 5,096 by Darren Sproles (Pennsylvania, 2000).
- During the 2021-22 season, high school football injury rates were 12.04 per 10,000 athlete-exposures in practice.
- 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.
- Average high school football program budget was $85,000 in 2022 per NFHS.
This week’s top performer powered their team with standout rushing and consistent scoring through four quarters.
Related reading
01 · Category
Academic Performance28 stats
01
High school football academic eligibility violation rate was 2.1% in 2022-23 NFHS data.
02
87.3% of high school football seniors graduated in four years per 2021-22 data.
03
Football players had a 3.2% higher GPA average than non-athletes in a 2020 study of 1,200 schools.
04
92% of Division I football recruits from high school met NCAA academic benchmarks in 2023.
05
In Texas UIL, football players' dropout rate was 1.8% vs. 3.4% school average 2022.
06
California CIF reported 89.5% of football players on honor roll eligibility 2022-23.
07
High school football participation correlated with 15% higher college enrollment rates per 2019 study.
08
76% of high school football players pursued post-secondary education in 2020 survey.
09
Average ACT score for football players was 21.4 in 2022 College Board data.
10
SAT average for recruited high school football players was 1050 in 2023.
11
In Florida FHSAA, 94.2% of football players met academic progress standards 2022-23.
12
Ohio OHSAA football players had 91% four-year graduation rate in 2022.
13
Pennsylvania PIAA tracked 88.7% football player GPA above 3.0 in 2023.
14
New Jersey NJSIAA football eligibility compliance was 97.5% in 2022-23.
15
Illinois IHSA reported 2.3% academic ineligibility for football in fall 2023.
16
Georgia GHSA football players averaged 3.15 GPA in 2022-23.
17
Michigan MHSAA 85.4% of football seniors met college readiness benchmarks 2022.
18
68% of high school football players improved grades after team study halls per 2021 survey.
19
NCAA qualifier rate for football was 7.3% of senior players in 2023.
20
In a 2018 study, football players missed 12% fewer classes than peers.
21
High school football teams with academic coordinators saw 22% higher eligibility rates.
22
81% of NFL players credit high school football for academic discipline per 2022 poll.
23
Average high school football player's core GPA was 2.9 in 2020 NFHS sample.
24
45% of high school football players took AP/IB courses in 2022.
25
Football players had 18% lower suspension rates than non-athletes per 2019 data.
26
In 2023, 6,500 high school football players signed National Letters of Intent academically eligible.
27
High school football state champions had 94% graduation rate average 2022.
28
73% of football scholarship recipients maintained 3.0+ GPA in college freshman year.
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Athletic Performance and Records30 stats
01
Eric record for single-season rushing yards is 5,096 by Darren Sproles (Pennsylvania, 2000).
02
National record for passing yards in a career is 13,923 by Brennan Marion (Texas, 2009).
03
Most points scored in a season: 806 by Brandon Young (Pennsylvania, 2000).
04
Single-game rushing record: 659 yards by Darren Sproles (2000).
05
Career receiving yards record: 7,546 by Marcus Wheaton (Illinois, 2006).
06
Most touchdowns in a game: 11 by Ty Fryfogle (Indiana, 2018).
07
National single-season sacks record: 35.0 by Austin Johnson (Wisconsin, 2013).
08
Longest field goal: 67 yards by Josh Lambert (Texas, 2012).
09
Most interceptions in a career: 41 by Dre Bly (Texas, 1995).
10
Team record for points in a game: 152-0 by Madison (Mississippi, 1927).
11
Consecutive state titles: 9 by various programs like South Panola (Mississippi).
12
Most state championships all-time: 49 by Highland Park (Texas).
13
Single-season average yards per carry record: 15.4 by Billy Edwards (Georgia, 1973).
14
Passing TDs career: 418 by Chase Roberts (Arizona, 2022).
15
In 2023, Mater Dei (CA) averaged 52.3 points per game en route to national title.
16
IMG Academy (FL) had 15-0 record in 2023 with +500 point differential.
17
Texas 6A state final: Duncanville 42-28 over Stephenville, 2023 attendance 20,000+.
18
Florida 1M final: FHSAA champs Miami Central 35-28 over St. Thomas Aquinas 2023.
19
Ohio D1 final: Archbishop Hoban 21-17 over Centerville, 2023.
20
Pennsylvania 6A: St. Joseph's Prep 21-7 over North Allegheny 2023.
21
Single-game passing yards: 786 by Connor Talbott (Kentucky, 2021).
22
Kickoff return TD record career: 12 by various.
23
Punting average season: 55.1 yards by Cameron Dubose (Alabama, 2019).
24
Fumbles recovered career: 19 by Jack Tatum (Ohio, 1968).
25
Blocked kicks career: 20 by Joe Mauer (Minnesota, 2001).
26
Georgia 7A champ: Milton 34-27 over Grayson 2023.
27
Michigan D1: Hudsonville 28-24 over Detroit Catholic Central 2023.
28
Illinois 8A: Nazareth 24-17 over Prairie Ridge 2023.
29
New Jersey Non-Public A: Don Bosco 31-21 over DePaul 2023.
30
California Open Division: De La Salle 35-28 over Serra 2023.
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Injuries and Safety30 stats
01
During the 2021-22 season, high school football injury rates were 12.04 per 10,000 athlete-exposures in practice.
02
Game injury rates for high school football in 2021-22 stood at 35.43 per 10,000 athlete-exposures.
03
Concussions accounted for 16.5% of all high school football injuries reported in 2021-22.
04
Ankle sprains were the most common injury in high school football, comprising 15.2% of total injuries in 2021-22.
05
Knee injuries (ligament sprains/tears) made up 11.8% of football injuries during 2021-22 season.
06
From 2013-2018, high school football had an overall injury rate of 15.4 per 10,000 AEs.
07
Head/facial injuries occurred at 3.12 per 10,000 AEs in high school football practices 2013-2018.
08
Shoulder injuries were reported at 2.67 per 10,000 AEs in games for high school football 2013-2018.
09
In 2018-19, 7.4% of football injuries resulted in time loss over 7 days.
10
Practices accounted for 70.3% of all high school football injuries in 2018-19 data.
11
Catastrophic injuries in high school football averaged 6.4 per year from 2013-2018.
12
Cervical spine injuries occurred in 25.7% of football catastrophic cases 2013-2018.
13
Heat-related injuries in high school football totaled 11,100 from 2010-2020 per CDC data.
14
Exertional heat stroke deaths in high school football averaged 1.6 per year 2000-2019.
15
In a 2020 study, 47% of high school football players reported a prior concussion.
16
Helmet impact sensors detected over 200,000 high-risk impacts in high school football weekly in one study.
17
ACL injury rate in high school football was 0.12 per 10,000 AEs from 2009-2018.
18
Fractures/dislocations were 9.3% of football injuries in 2021-22 surveillance.
19
In 2019-20 partial season, injury rate dropped to 8.2 per 10,000 AEs due to protocols.
20
Texas UIL reported 4,200 football injuries treated in ERs yearly average 2015-2020.
21
California CIF noted 12% reduction in concussions after rule changes in 2019.
22
Florida FHSAA data showed 28.5 concussions per 100,000 exposures in 2022.
23
Ohio OHSAA reported 1,450 concussions in football 2022-23 season.
24
Pennsylvania PIAA tracked 892 football concussions in 2022-23.
25
New Jersey NJSIAA had 567 reported football injuries in 2022-23, 22% concussions.
26
Illinois IHSA concussion baseline tests covered 95% of football players in 2023.
27
Georgia GHSA mandated Guardian Caps reduced impacts by 32% in 2023 trials.
28
Michigan MHSAA reported 2.1 concussions per team average in 2022 football.
29
65% of high school football catastrophic injuries involved equipment failure 1984-2018.
30
High school football players wearing newer helmets (post-2011) had 44% lower concussion risk.
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Participation and Demographics30 stats
01
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.
02
High school football had 1,012 girls participating in 11-player tackle football during the 2022-23 season, up 11% from 2021-22.
03
In 2022-23, California led with 88,640 boys playing high school football, followed by Texas with 82,749.
04
The average number of high school football participants per school in 2022-23 was 60.1 boys for 11-player teams.
05
From 2009-10 to 2022-23, overall high school football participation declined by 24.5% nationwide.
06
Urban schools sponsored football programs at a rate of 92.3% in 2022-23, compared to 95.1% in rural schools.
07
In 2022-23, 6.8% of high school boys athletes played football, making it the most popular boys sport.
08
Black or African American students comprised 22.4% of high school football players in states reporting demographics in 2019-20.
09
White students made up 61.2% of high school football participants in demographic-reporting states during 2019-20.
10
Hispanic or Latino students accounted for 12.6% of high school football players in 2019-20 demographic data.
11
In 2021-22, 891,539 boys played high school football, with 14,224 girls participating in any football format.
12
Texas high schools fielded 1,455 football teams in 2022-23, the most in the nation.
13
Florida reported 70,212 boys football participants in 2022-23, ranking third nationally.
14
In 2022-23, 8-player football had 17,622 participants across 1,680 schools.
15
6-player football participation reached 2,345 boys in 2022-23, primarily in small rural schools.
16
Public schools accounted for 93.2% of high school football sponsorships in 2022-23.
17
In demographic states, Asian students were 1.9% of football players in 2019-20.
18
Multiracial students comprised 3.5% of high school football participants in 2019-20.
19
Freshmen made up 24.1% of high school football players in a 2018 NFHS sample.
20
Seniors represented 18.7% of high school football participants in 2018 data.
21
In 2020-21, COVID-impacted year saw 734,594 boys in football, down 16% from pre-pandemic.
22
Ohio had 42,189 boys playing football in 2022-23, with strong participation in Division I schools.
23
Pennsylvania reported 36,847 football participants in 2022-23 across PIAA schools.
24
New Jersey's high school football participation was 32,145 boys in 2022-23.
25
Illinois saw 33,682 boys in football for 2022-23 season per IHSA.
26
Georgia had 50,234 football players in GHSA schools during 2022-23.
27
Michigan's MHSAA reported 38,512 boys in 11-player football for 2022-23.
28
In 2022-23, 4.2% of high school students overall participated in football.
29
Non-public schools sponsored football at 85.6% rate in 2022-23.
30
During 2017-18, football participation was 1,036,842 boys, peak recent year.
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Program Funding and Facilities24 stats
01
Average high school football program budget was $85,000in 2022 per NFHS.
02
Annual equipment cost per high school football team averaged $25,400in 2023.
03
Booster club contributions funded 42% of high school football budgets in 2022 survey.
04
Gate receipts generated $15,200average revenue per team in large-school districts 2022.
05
Field turf installation costs $1.2 million average for high school stadiums in 2023.
06
28% of high school football programs fundraised over $50,000 annually in 2022.
07
Travel expenses for playoff teams averaged $8,500per deep run in Texas 2023.
08
California CIF schools spent $45,000average on football coaches stipends 2022-23.
09
Florida FHSAA reported $112,000average program budget for Class 6A football 2023.
10
Ohio OHSAA stadium upgrades cost $2.5 million average for Division I schools 2022.
11
Pennsylvania PIAA football camps cost $4,200per team average summer 2023.
12
New Jersey NJSIAA non-public schools received 15% more donor funds for football.
13
Illinois IHSA Class 8A budgets hit $150,000with 20% from sponsors 2023.
14
Georgia GHSA 7A programs averaged $95,000budgets, 35% from concessions.
15
Michigan MHSAA Division 1 football spent $22,000on weight room upgrades 2023.
16
62% of high school football stadiums seated over 5,000 in 2022 NFHS survey.
17
LED scoreboards cost $75,000installed for high school fields in 2023.
18
Title IX compliance added 18% to football program costs in co-ed districts 2022.
19
Average coach salary for head high school football was $5,200stipend nationally 2023.
20
Texas UIL 5A schools generated $250,000in ticket sales for playoffs 2023.
21
41% of programs used crowdfunding for equipment, raising $10,200 average.
22
Press box renovations averaged $180,000for mid-sized high school stadiums 2023.
23
Video replay systems cost $35,000per install for high school football 2023.
24
75% of large programs had dedicated athletic trainers funded at $60,000/year.
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). High School Football Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/high-school-football-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "High School Football Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/high-school-football-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "High School Football Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/high-school-football-statistics.
Sources & references
22 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level