COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association is adding a seventh tournament division in football next year.

Commissioner Daniel Ross says the group's board approved the plan Thursday to place the top 10 percent of schools based on enrollment in Division I. The plan divides the remaining 644 schools evenly among the next six divisions. It will leave about 72 schools in Division I with the other divisions averaging about 108 schools each instead of the current 120.

The change responds to some schools' concern about enrollment disparity in Division I. The current range is 494 males at the lower end of the division to 1,164 at the top. The lower end of Division 1 is expected to increase to about 600 males.

The plan also creates 32 more tournament opportunities.

First Published April 12, 2012, 9:47 p.m.