CANTON, Ohio — Ohio high school football state championship weekend wouldn’t be possible without the game balls. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio high school football state championship weekend wouldn't be possible without the game balls

  • The referees for the game are responsible for weighing the game balls to make sure they are all consistent and not too heavy or too light 

  • The weight should be in between 12 and a half and 13 and a half pounds 

Ron Bate, one referee for the state championship weekend, said what they are seeking is consistency with the game balls.

“We’re looking to make sure the balls are consistent so that both teams are playing with the same, the same type of football,” he said.

Bate uses a pump to check the weight of each game ball.

“So it’s between twelve and a half and thirteen and a half. It’ll be a good ball. So once I’ve checked it, I’ll then sign it or put my mark on it,” he said.

If the ball is lighter than that, it could change the game.

“A softer ball is easier to catch, right? What we’re also looking for is a new or nearly new ball. If it’s worn too much, especially on a day like today, it becomes slippery,” he said.

Bate explained that after they check the game balls ahead of kickoff, they don’t check them again.

“We trust that the teams have the integrity that they will not touch them,” he said.