The 2023-24 high school football season has officially begun on July 31 as teams all across North Carolina have started practicing. Here is a breakdown on what teams can do in terms of practicing and scrimmaging.

The first five days of practice consists of either two options: July 31 - August 4

Option A: One, 3-hour practice (which includes "flex time")

Option B: One, 3-hour practice, followed by a MANDATORY 3- hour cool down period, followed by a 1-hour walk-through, or vice-versa (cannot wear protective equipment during walk-through).

On the sixth day of practice, teams can have contact with three options: August 5 - August 8 - No practices are allowed on Sundays

Option A: One, 3-hour practice (which includes "flex time")

Option B: One, 3-hour practice, followed by a MANDATORY 3- hour cool down period, followed by a 1-hour walk-through, or vice-versa (cannot wear protective equipment during walk-through).

Option C: One 3-hour or 2-hour practice, followed by a MANDATORY 3-hour cool down period, followed by a 2-hour or 3-hour practice (Maximum of 5 hours of practice time per 24-hour period). There can never be back-to-back days with an option c practice. You must follow an option C practice with an option A/B practice or an off day. ***The 2-hour practice must be NON-CONTACT ONLY**

On August 9 - August 12, teams can have their first scrimmage time.

Option A: One, 3-hour practice (which includes "flex time")

Option B: One, 3-hour practice, followed by a MANDATORY 3- hour cool down period, followed by a 1-hour walk-through, or vice-versa (cannot wear protective equipment during walk-through).

Option C: One 3-hour or 2-hour practice, followed by a MANDATORY 3-hour cool down period, followed by a 2-hour or 3-hour practice (Maximum of 5 hours of practice time per 24-hour period). There can never be back-to-back days with an option c practice. You must follow an option C practice with an option A/B practice or an off day. ***The 2-hour practice must be NON-CONTACT ONLY**

On August 14, teams will start their in-season practice schedule til the end of the 2023 football season. No Sunday practices.

Option A: One, 3-hour practice (which includes "flex time")

2023-24 Season:

FIRST PRACTICE | Jul 31

FIRST CONTEST | Week of Aug 18

LAST CONTEST | Oct 27

BRACKETING | Oct 28

1st ROUND | Nov 3

2nd ROUND | Nov 10

3rd ROUND | Nov 17

4th ROUND | Nov 24

REGIONALS | Dec 1

STATES | Dec 8-9