For the first time in five years, high school football participation increased in 2013-14, according to the National Federation of High School Associations.
For the first time in five years, the numbers of student-athletes playing high school football rose. According to the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), there were 6,607 more boys playing during the 2013-14 school years than the previous.
Overall, there were 1-million-93-thousand-234 participants in football last year.
“We are pleased with the increase in participation numbers in the sport of football for the 2013-14 school year,” said Bob Gardner, NFHS executive director.
Louisiana had the biggest increase in number with an additional 7,673 players, North Carolina was next with 6,429 followed by Texas with 4,466.
Ohio saw the biggest decline with 9,510 fewer football players. In all, 36 states saw drops with Florida and California in that group.
