November is a big month in the high school sporting world.

It’s the time for the prep football playoffs and the beginning of high school basketball practices. For local sports fans it’s also the month for another annual tradition.

The Toughman Contest.

The 22nd-annual Coal Area Toughman boxing event is scheduled for Nov. 13-14 at Logan High School’s Willie Akers Arena.

Year in and year out, the Toughman is one of the largest events in Logan County as thousands of fans converge each fall to watch the action in the ring.

Fighters registrations are now being accepted for the single-elimination boxing tournament. A handful of fighters have already signed up.

The event is open to men and women 18-39 years of age with no pro fighting experience and limited amateur experience. MMA fighters are also welcome.

All bouts are scheduled for three, one-minute rounds, with all fighters wearing 16-ounce gloves, protective headgear and a mouthpiece. All applicants must be in good physical condition.

The men’s weight divisions are: middleweight (140-159 pounds), light heavyweight (160-184) and heavyweight (185-400).

The women’s weight divisions are: lightweight (155 pounds and under) and heavyweight (156 pounds and up). There is no entry fee.

Up to $8,000 in prize money will be awarded. The champion in the men’s light heavyweight, heavyweight and middleweight divisions will each receive $1,000 and the runners-up will receive $280.

Prize money for the women’s divisions will be based on the average number of bouts and paid in proportion to the men’s divisions. Each weight class division will also receive a Toughman jacket. Each weight class runner-up will receive a trophy.

Area champions also qualify to advance to the World Championship. There must be a minimum of four contestants in a weight class in order to have competition in that class.

“Miss Ring Girl” will also receive $1,000 in cash a Toughman jacket and various other prizes. First, second and third runner-ups to Miss Ring Girl will receive $200 each in cash, plus additional prizes.

To sign up to fight or to be a ring girl call 1-800-296-3897 or go online at: www.wvtoughman.com. Tickets go on sale Oct. 24 at Mike Ferrell Toyota-Scion, LA Liquor, Town ‘N Country Foodland of Chapmanville and Uncle Sam’s.

To charge tickets by phone call: 1-800-296-3897.

This year’s event is being sponsored by Mike Ferrell Toyota-Scion, Sudden Link Media, 96.1 The Wolfe and Network West Virginia.

In last year’s Toughman, “Big Nasty” Carl Goff of Man was the men’s heavyweight champion for the second straight year. Chad Hensley of Chapmanville won the men’s middleweight, while Huntington’s Jason Graham prevailed in the men’s light heavyweight division.

There were no women’s bouts in 2008. Five area women had signed up to box but none ended up seeing the ring.