expenses) or travel will be reimbursed at the rate of five cents per mile for each qualifier, including
coach, up to a maximum of 35 cents, whichever revenue share method is higher for member schools.
4.5
FOOTBALL
4.5.1
General
(a)
Information on Mailings, Classifications, Preseason Scrimmages, Eligibility Sheets, Ejection Reports,
Playoff Declaration, NCHSAA Clinic Dates, Body Paint and Noisemakers are found under Competition
for Interscholastic Activities [See Rule 4.1].
(b)
Football Calendar
1st Practice
July 30
2nd Round
November 14
1st Scrimmage
August 8
3rd Round
November 21
1st Play Date
Week of August 18
4th Round
November 28
Playoff Seeding
November 3
Regional Round
December 5
1st Round
November 7
State Championship
December 12-13
(c)
Payment of Officials [See Rule 3.4]
(d)
Health and Safety [See Rule 2.3]
(e)
Number of Regular Season Contests - No more than one may be scheduled per week. Total, 10 games.
An individual is limited to only one game per day, per week (exception: “eight-quarter” rule).
(1)
Under no circumstance can a player dress in more than two contests in a calendar week,
inclusive of a postponed contest, a suspended game, and the eight-quarter rule.
(2)
A minimum of three (3) calendar days between the completion of one contest and the
beginning of a new contest is required.
(f)
Schedules - Schools are required to submit varsity and junior varsity schedules to their appropriate
regional supervisor by May 15.
(g)
Suspended Game Rule - The NCHSAA plays by the suspended game rule [See Rule 2.2.7(c) (1)].
(h)
Mercy Rule - Once the score reaches a 35-point differential, or more, at halftime or any point there-
after, the game will resort to a running clock or will be terminated by mutual agreement.
(i)
Junior Varsity Tiebreaker - Junior varsity football teams may break ties in games if both coaches
mutually agree prior to the game.
(j)
Filming, Videotaping or Video Streaming [See Rule 2.2.17].
(k)
Required Equipment - Schools must provide yardage clip for down and distance chains. Balls must
have the authenticating NFHS ball mark.
NOTE: Use of NCHSAA adopted balls is strongly recommended for regular season play and in playoff
rounds to ensure consistency and fair play.
(l)
Uniformed Police Officer [See Rule 2.5.3(a)].
(m)
Restraining Barriers - At all football games there should be restraining barriers on both sides of the field.
(1)
These barriers shall run the entire length of the field and shall be at least five yards (prefera
bly more) from the sidelines.
(2)
The restraining barrier may be a fence, cable or strong rope.
(3)
No one is permitted within these barriers except coaches, student-athletes and persons offi
cially connected with a team.
(4)
It is highly recommended that all schools completely surround their football field with a sub
stantial four-foot restraining fence, constructed a minimum of five yards from any sidelines
or end line.
(n)
Eight Quarter Participation - In emergency or “lack of depth” situations, junior varsity football stu
dent-athletes will be allowed a maximum of eight quarters per season of “on the field” play as a var
sity football student-athlete.
NOTE: Anytime a student-athlete participates in eight quarters of varsity competition, that stu
dent-athlete is no longer eligible to be an eight-quarter player. If the eight quarter limit is reached
during a contest, that student-athlete is immediately ineligible for further participation in that con
test.
(1)
This is an allowable exemption from the rule counting dressing for a game as participation in
a varsity contest and will enable a junior varsity student-athlete to be available for emergency
or lack of depth participation in the varsity contest.
(2)
The following conditions must be met:
(i)
1A-4A: 9th, 10th and 11th graders only
(ii)
5A-8A: 9th and 10th graders only
(iii)
A maximum of ten (10) student-athletes may be eight-quartered during the regular
season.
(iv)
Student-athletes must be pre-determined prior to dressing for participation.
(A)
The Eight Quarter Pre-Approval Form must be completed with signatures
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