OHIO — What begins on Friday with the playoffs culminates in just seven schools winning state championships, in the Ohio High School Athletic Association football tournament.

However, seven schools can already claim OHSAA 2022 football titles; winning the final Ohio high school football Associated Press poll crowns.

What You Need To Know

  • What begins on Friday with the playoffs culminates in just seven schools winning state championships, in the Ohio High School Athletic Association football tournament

  • However, seven schools can already claim OHSAA 2022 football titles; winning the final Ohio high school football Associated Press poll crowns

  • Over the past 50 years, though, that has rarely translated to winning the state tournament

Congratulations to St. Edward (Division I), Winton Woods (Division II), Badin (Division III), Glenville (Division IV), Ironton (Division V), Marion Local (Division VI) and Warren John F. Kennedy (Division VII) on that accomplishment. 

Over the past 50 years, though, that has rarely translated to winning the state tournament. Of the 257 all-time OHSAA football state champions (since the current tournament format began in 1972), just 77 also earned an AP poll title in the same year (30%).

In 2021, only Chardon (Division III) and Marion Local (Division VII) accomplished the feat. The most that have ever done the trick in one season was four times in 2020, 2005 and 1997. There have been 11 years where no schools pulled off double titles, with the most recent in 2008. 

Back to 2022, and Spectrum News 1 will take you through each weekend of the postseason until we reach Canton, and the state finals on Dec. 1-3.

It all begins with Friday’s OHSAA Game of the Week, and for viewers in central Ohio, they’ll get the latest in a series that dates back to 1940, when Hilliard Davidson (4-6) heads to Grove City (6-4). It’s the 11-seed vs. 6-seed match-up in Region 3 in Division I. 

The Wildcats are no stranger to the playoffs, making a fifth-straight trip, and 22nd overall, including state titles in 2006 and 2009. The Greyhounds are back for a 13th time, but seeking their first postseason victory since a 24-10 triumph in 2005 over Brookhaven. 

Davidson leads the all-time series 44-32, including a 7-3 win at Grove City back in week two. The Wildcats also took playoff wins over the Greyhounds in 2005 (24-7) and 2008 (38-7). It’s been relatively one-sided since the 2005 affair, with Davidson winning 17 of the last 18. 

In southwest Ohio, St. Xavier (4-6) has had a down year by its standards, but you don’t have to go too far back to see how dangerous the Bombers can be when flying under the radar.

In 2016, Xavier completed the regular season with a 5-5 mark, and rattled off five straight wins on the way to a state title. The opening postseason opponent that year? Fairfield, which is the exact match-up on Friday night in Region 4 (Division I). 

The eighth-seeded Indians (7-3) lost this year to Princeton, Mason and Lakota West, all of whom are 8-2 or better. Number nine St. Xavier played its usual challenging regular season schedule, featuring games with four out-of-state opponents. 

It’s the Bombers who have won all four meetings since 2000, including three in the playoffs, with the most recent in 2017. Twice, St. Xavier has beaten Fairfield in the postseason on the way to a state title (also in 2005). 

It’s the 14th straight year the Bombers have advanced beyond the regular season, and 29th overall. The Indians are making an eighth straight appearance, and 14th overall, which includes a 1986 state title. 

A couple players to watch are Fairfield twins Josiah Jackson and Jordan Jackson, both of whom are headed to play at West Virginia next season. 

Rounding things out in northeast Ohio is a Region 1 (Division I) contest between tenth-seeded Elyria (5-5) and number seven Wadsworth (6-4).

The Grizzlies could be a dangerous team in that bracket. Their four losses were to 9-1 Medina, undefeated Hudson, 9-1 Fitch (in four overtimes), and a 22-21 heartbreaker to North Royalton. Wadsworth missed out on the postseason a year ago, but is making its 14th trip overall, and 12th since 2002. 

The Pioneers closed strong, winning three of their final four games to finish the regular season at .500. It’s the school’s seventh overall tournament appearance, but Elyria has only one playoff win in its history, topping Toledo St. John’s in 2005. 

All three games begin with High School Blitz pre-game, around 6:53 p.m., before game coverage picks up at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News 1, and the Spectrum News App. 

Immediately following the game, join Brett Hiltbrand, Matt D’Orazio and Antonio Pittman as they recap the opening night of the OHSAA football playoffs.