With just one week left in the regular season, the playoff picture is tightening across Ohio as high school football teams prepare for the first postseason under the OHSAA’s new 12-team format.
Earlier this year, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced that each region will now send 12 teams to the playoffs, down from 16. The top four seeds in each region will receive a first-round bye, and the first three rounds will be hosted by the higher-seeded team.
The move marks a return to the 12-team structure that was briefly approved in 2020 before the pandemic altered postseason participation.
“For the last few years, we have been pleased that more schools experienced the football playoffs, and there were some lower seeds that won playoff games,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute. “But over the last year, we received feedback from our schools, with a slight majority favoring 12 qualifiers per region.”
Local playoff outlook
Several teams across the Jordan Miller News coverage area have already clinched postseason berths, while others are still fighting for one of the final spots heading into Week 10.
Division I, Region 1
- #2 Canton McKinley (8-1): Clinched a top-four seed — first-round bye and home field.
- #6 Jackson (5-4): Clinched top-eight seed — will host a first-round game.
Division II, Region 5
- #2 Lake (7-2): Clinched top-eight seed — will host a first-round game.
Division II, Region 7
- #4 Massillon Washington (6-3): Clinched playoff spot.
- #8 Hoover (7-2): Clinched playoff spot.
- #12 Louisville (5-4): Holding final playoff position; could move up or fall out depending on Week 10 results.
Division III, Region 9
- #6 Alliance (7-2): Clinched playoff spot.
- Carrollton, New Philadelphia, and Dover: Eliminated from playoff contention.
Division IV, Region 13
- #3 West Branch (8-1): Clinched home playoff game.
- #8 Northwest (5-3): Clinched playoff spot.
- #10 Salem (6-3): Clinched playoff spot.
- Marlington: Eliminated.
Division IV, Region 15
- #2 Indian Valley (8-0): Clinched top-eight seed and home playoff game.
- #5 Indian Creek (8-1): Clinched playoff spot.
- #12 Beaver Local (5-4): Not yet clinched; needs win or help to stay in.
- #15 Canton South (4-5): Can qualify with a win Friday.
- Minerva (5-3): Eliminated despite strong record.
Division V, Region 17
- #7 Edison (6-3): Clinched playoff spot.
- #9 Claymont (6-3): Controls own destiny.
- #13 Tuslaw (3-6) and #15 Fairless (4-5): Outside playoff picture.
- Harrison Central, Tusky Valley, Canton Central Catholic, and Sandy Valley have been eliminated.
Division VI, Region 21
- #2 Crestview (9-0): Clinched top-four seed — first-round bye and home field.
- #3 United (8-1): Clinched top-eight seed — home playoff game.
- #6 Dalton (6-3): Clinched playoff spot.
- #11 Garaway (6-2): Controls own destiny.
- #12 Columbiana (5-3): On the bubble entering final week.
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Louisville) eliminated.
Division VI, Region 23
- #6 Toronto (8-1): Clinched playoff spot.
- #7 Ridgewood (8-1): Clinched playoff spot.
- #8 Newcomerstown (6-3): Clinched playoff spot.
Division VII, Region 25
- #5 East Palestine (7-2): Clinched home playoff game.
- #6 Malvern (6-3): Clinched playoff spot.
- #7 East Canton (7-2): Controls own destiny.
- #9 Lisbon (6-3): Controls own destiny.
Division VII, Region 27
- #5 Steubenville Catholic Central (5-4): Controls own destiny.
- #6 Conotton Valley (6-3): Controls own destiny.
- #7 Strasburg-Franklin (6-3): In playoff position.
- Tuscarawas Central Catholic: Eliminated.
What’s next
The regular season wraps up Friday night, and official OHSAA playoff pairings will be announced Sunday, Oct. 27. The postseason begins the following weekend, with higher seeds hosting through the regional semifinals.
