High school soccer takes center stage under the Friday night lights this week as teams across northwest Ohio get an early opportunity to highlight the sport, its coaches, and its players.
Dozens of area boys and girls soccer teams will participate in the “Friday Night Futbol” event.
“Anytime our sport is in the limelight, it's a positive for us all,” Findlay girls coach Mike Aubry said. “I know that our players are really excited about the opportunity to play under the lights and get their season kicked off. Futbol Friday gives us such great publicity around the area.”
In 2015, the Ohio High School Athletic Association started the statewide initiative where soccer games take place the Friday before the high school football season kicks off. The OHSAA permits the soccer games to be played one day earlier than the traditional Saturday start of the soccer season.
The Anthony Wayne boys will host Southview on Friday night in a cross-divisional Northern Lakes League matchup.
“It’s a great opportunity to play on a Friday and not compete with football,” AW coach Brian Billings said. “It allows us to reach a larger crowd and set a positive tone for our season right away.”
Southview’s boys team has participated in Friday Night Futbol every season since it started.
“FNF helps to create some added excitement for the soccer program as it is one of the first official fall sports events of the school year,” Southview coach Andy Kufel said. “The players look forward to it and prepare for it all preseason. Competitors love to compete, and there is no better way to start your season than with FNF.”
Perrysburg’s Steinecker Stadium will host a soccer doubleheader on Friday night featuring four of the top boys and girls programs in the area.
The Yellow Jacket boys will host St. Francis de Sales at 6 p.m. The Perrysburg girls will then host Notre Dame at 8 p.m.
“Traditionally, high school football is played on Fridays to great crowds,” Perrysburg girls coach Jorge Diaz said. “The idea of bringing futbol Friday is with the hope that we can get more excitement for the sport.”
Perrysburg has participated in the Friday night event since 2015. This is the first year that the girls will play after the boys game.
“We have had great success, not only in terms of attendance but also in terms of great matchups,” Diaz said. “We have had great competitive games.”
Perrysburg also will recognize two of the top soccer teams in program history on Friday. The 1994 Yellow Jackets boys team that reached the state final four will be honored at halftime of the boys game. The 2012 state champion Perrysburg girls team will be recognized at halftime of the girls game. Those teams are being inducted into the Perrysburg hall of fame.
Diaz explained the event also sets the tone for his team.
“For our players, to start the season with a great game versus a great opponent and having more attendance is always motivating for the kids,” Diaz said. “We’re really looking forward to it.”
Notre Dame coach Chip Smith called it an opportunity to showcase high school soccer in all facets. The Eagles’ junior varsity and varsity teams will both partake this year at Perrysburg.
“I have loved the idea since its inception because of how strongly I believe in our area soccer athletes, the talented soccer coaches, and the soccer community in northwest Ohio,” Smith said. “Friday Night Futbol literally puts all of this under the lights and honors and highlights what this great sport is all about.”
Smith’s team has played several times under the lights, which he called “an incredible atmosphere.”
“We try to schedule a solid opponent like Perrysburg,” Smith said, “and in turn, it creates a tournament-like environment which is an electric game for our players to be involved in.”
St. Francis coach Mike Kern embraces the unique opportunity for his team.
“I think this recreates the environment, level of play, and opportunity for players to showcase their talents during prime time,” Kern said. “We’ve seen record attendance in LaValley Stadium when hosting this event at home.”
The first game for new Ottawa Hills boys coach Rodcliff Hall will come under the lights at home against Liberty-Benton.
“The boys are excited as this is the only time the team will play on a Friday night that guarantees some of the largest supporter turnout,” Hall said. “With the rise of soccer in the USA and with the 2026 World Cup being hosted partly in the USA, there is a huge spotlight on the sport that players are aiming to take advantage of.”
The Findlay girls will travel to Southview to participate in the event. Aubry, who is in his first year at Findlay, also is the executive director of the Greater Toledo Futbol Club. He believes the event is good for the sport at all levels.
“Both boys and girls soccer really benefit from the added attention,” Aubry said.
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