Fortress Obetz to host OHSAA football championships

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Fortress Orbetz, a multipurpose sports complex located in Orbetz, Ohio (on Columbus's southeast side), will host the 2020 Ohio High School Athletic Association football state championships, according to a press release by the OHSAA.

The complex replaces Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton as the host site due to attendance limitations set by the Ohio Health Director's Sports Order, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortress Orbetz has an 8,000-seat grandstand that will be socially distanced to allow the allowed maximum of 1,500 spectators at the scheduled games.

According to the press release, the Division I final will play on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m., followed by two games on Friday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Two more games will follow on Saturday, Nov. 21 (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.), and Sunday, Nov. 22 (noon and 5 p.m.).

Division I already has its four state semifinal matchups as Pickerington Central vs. Mentor at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia, and Cincinnati St. Xavier vs. Springfield at Piqua's Alexander Stadium, both to be played Friday, Nov. 6.

The facility, which opened in 2017 on the former site of Columbus Motor Speedway, also hosts the OHSAA state cross country championships, which be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, and was the former home of the Ohio Machine professional lacrosse team from 2017-19.

“Fortress Obetz is an outstanding facility and we are grateful for the partnership with the Village of Obetz and stadium director Steve Adams,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute. “The teams will get to play on a fantastic field and the large grandstand will allow us to permit the maximum number of fans to see their teams play for state titles. Obetz is excited to host the football state championship games and we are pleased to find a partner during these uncertain times.”