News Summary
The Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs are starting this week with 336 teams competing for the state championship. First-round games begin on Friday at 7 p.m., continuing through November, leading to the state finals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton from December 4-6. Top teams include Lakewood St. Edward and Mentor, both receiving byes, while flawless records are held by multiple teams. As the playoffs commence, anticipation builds within local communities, showcasing the spirit of Ohio high school football.
Ohio High School Football Playoffs Kick Off This Week
Columbus, OH – The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) football playoffs are set to begin this week, featuring 336 teams vying for the coveted state championship. The postseason matchups will commence with first-round games on Friday, October 31, at 7 p.m. and will continue through November, culminating in the state finals from December 4-6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
First Round Matchups Announced
In Division I, Region 1, several teams have secured first-round byes. The top seed, Lakewood St. Edward (8-2), will host the winner of the matchup between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds. Similarly, Mentor (10-0), the second seed, also receives a bye and will play the winner of the No. 7 and No. 10 game. Other teams with first-round byes include Canton McKinley (8-2) and Toledo Whitmer (8-2). Notable matchups in this region include Cleveland St. Ignatius (1-9) visiting Perrysburg (8-2), and Medina (3-7) traveling to Strongsville (8-2).
Region 2 features Middletown (8-2) and Troy (8-2) both receiving byes while Findlay (6-4) will face the winner of the No. 6 and No. 11 matchup. In Division II, Akron Archbishop Hoban (8-1) and Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (8-1) are also granted byes into the second round.
Additional teams to watch include those maintaining flawless records this season, such as Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (10-0) in Region 3, Cincinnati Elder (10-0) in Region 4, Medina Highland (10-0) in Region 6, and Sunbury Big Walnut (9-1) in Region 7.
Season Highlights and Recent Events
The end of the regular season proved eventful, highlighted by a game between Teays Valley and Logan that was halted due to an altercation. Teays Valley secured a 34-0 victory, finishing the season at 5-5, while Logan ended with a disappointing 0-10 record. In a different context, two crucial league championship games took place on October 24, with Olentangy Orange defeating Olentangy Liberty 26-14 to claim the OCC-Central title and Pickerington North winning the OCC-Ohio championship with a dominant 35-0 victory over Gahanna Lincoln.
Remarkable individual performances in the concluding games included Jarin Mock of Pickerington North, who threw for over 77 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Andyriq Thomas contributed to the team’s success with multiple rushing touchdowns during the playoff-clinching game.
Final Rankings and Predictions
As the teams enter the playoffs, final rankings have positioned Cincinnati Elder as the top team in the state, closely followed by Akron Archbishop Hoban and Lakewood St. Edward. With the anticipation of dynamic competition and unrivaled school spirit, the OHSAA football playoffs promise thrilling action for players and fans alike.
The playoff path ahead will showcase the strength, skill, and resilience of Ohio high school football programs as they vie for the championship title. As the kickoff approaches, local communities rally behind their teams, underscoring the importance of high school football in Ohio’s culture.
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Additional Resources
- The Columbus Dispatch: Teays Valley vs Logan Fight
- The Columbus Dispatch: OHSAA Week 10 Scores
- Sports Illustrated: Ohio High School Football Top 25 Rankings
- WCPO: High School Football Playoff Projections
- Canton Repository: OHSAA Football Playoff Schedule
- Wikipedia: Ohio High School Athletic Association
- Google Search: Ohio High School Football Playoffs
- Google Scholar: Ohio High School Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: Ohio High School Football 2025
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