[5] With their common ancestry, the NFHS rules of high school American football are largely similar to the college game, though with some important differences: At least one unique high school rule has been adopted by college football.

Thirty-four states have a mercy rule that comes into play during one-sided games after a prescribed scoring margin is surpassed at halftime or any point thereafter.

Over the past decade, girls have made up less than half a percent of the players of American high school football.

[13] According to the New York Times, in 2006, 70% of high school football players were white and 20% were black.

Wisconsin saw the largest decrease, dropping by nearly a quarter from 2009 to 2019; only seven states saw an increased number of players.

[18] Robert Cantu, a Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Co-Founder of the CTE Center at the Boston University School of Medicine, believes that children under 14 should not play tackle football.

Children also have larger heads relative to their body size and weaker necks.