COLUMBUS - The Greater Columbus Sports Commission submitted a proposal Monday to the Ohio High School Athletic Association to host state football championship games next year.

The OHSAA announced this summer that it would be reviewing bids for upcoming football finals. The association held its football state championship football games in Ohio Stadium from 1983 to 1989. The games have been held in the Massillon and Canton area in northeast Ohio since 1990.

Coaches and administrators from around the state have long complained that the football finals are not centrally located. Cincinnati teams and their fans must travel two hours longer than some opponents from the Canton and Massillon area.

Under the Columbus proposal, the six state-championship games would be played at Columbus Crew Stadium and Dublin Coffman High School. Each site would host three state championship games per year between 2004 and 2007.

The proposal was drafted by the commission in conjunction with Columbus Crew Stadium, Dublin City Schools, the Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau, District 10 of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association and The Ohio State University.

The OHSAA is scheduled to hear site proposals Oct. 15.