The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced its official high school football playoff pairings Sunday, setting the stage for postseason action across the state beginning Friday, Oct. 30.
Several teams from Stark, Carroll and Tuscarawas counties will begin their playoff runs at home, while others have earned first-round byes.
According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the top four seeds in each region will receive a first-round bye. Seeds five through eight will host seeds nine through 12, with all first-round games scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted.
In Division I, Massillon Jackson (8-2) secured the No. 4 seed in Region 1 and will receive a first-round bye.
Canton McKinley (7-3), the No. 7 seed in the same region, will host No. 10 Brunswick (6-4).
In Division II, Massillon Washington (9-1) earned the No. 3 seed in Region 7, securing a first-round bye.
Louisville (8-2), seeded seventh in Region 7, will host No. 10 North Canton Hoover (5-5) in a matchup between two Stark County programs.
In Division III, Dover (8-2) earned the No. 5 seed in Region 11 and will host No. 12 Columbus South (8-2).
Division IV features several area programs.
Beloit West Branch (9-1) secured the No. 3 seed in Region 13, earning a first-round bye.
Canal Fulton Northwest (8-2), the No. 7 seed in Region 13, will host No. 10 Cleveland Central Catholic (6-4).
Orrville (7-3), seeded eighth in the same region, will host No. 9 Akron East (9-1).
In Region 15, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (9-0) claimed the No. 1 seed and will receive a first-round bye.
Uhrichsville Claymont (9-1) earned the No. 5 seed in Region 15 and will host No. 12 East Liverpool Beaver Local (6-4).
In Division V, Canton Central Catholic (6-4), the No. 9 seed in Region 17, will travel to face No. 8 Youngstown Liberty (9-1).
Brewster Fairless (6-4), seeded 11th in Region 17, will visit No. 6 Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (7-3).
West Lafayette Ridgewood (6-4) earned the No. 9 seed in Region 19 and will travel to face No. 8 Proctorville Fairland (7-3).
In Division VI, Newcomerstown (8-2) secured the No. 5 seed in Region 23 and will host No. 12 Centerburg (6-4).
Sugarcreek Garaway (7-3), seeded seventh in Region 23, will host No. 10 Marion Elgin (8-2).
Hanoverton United (8-1), the No. 6 seed in Region 21, will host No. 11 Warren John F. Kennedy (6-4).
Division VII also features several area teams opening the postseason at home.
East Canton (7-3) earned the No. 5 seed in Region 25 and will host No. 12 Norwalk St. Paul (5-4).
Strasburg-Franklin (7-3), seeded sixth in Region 27, will host No. 11 New Metamoras Frontier (5-5).
Under the playoff format, the higher-seeded team will serve as the host through the first three rounds.
Regional quarterfinal games are scheduled for Nov. 6, followed by regional semifinals Nov. 13 and regional finals Nov. 20. Neutral sites will be used beginning with the regional finals.
State semifinal games are scheduled for Nov. 27.
The season will conclude with the state championship games Dec. 3-5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Tickets for playoff games will become available on Mondays through the OHSAA.
