COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite uncertainty looming in the wake of the pandemic, high school football teams will compete in playoffs starting Friday night—some for the very first time. But many schools have also backed out of the playoffs due to COVID-19.  

Here are the teams playing Friday, Oct. 9: 

• Cleveland Heights vs. Stow — A pair of 4-1 schools meet up in a Division I, Region 1 playoff game, featuring 10^th-seeded Cleveland Heights, and Stow (seeded 7^th). The Bulldogs are looking for their first postseason victory since 2016, while the Tigers haven’t tasted playoff success since 2013. Heights only loss in the regular season was to Euclid, while Stow dropped a tight decision to Brecksville-Broadview Heights on September 25^th. Both teams feature talented younger players, and are primed for success beyond 2020.
• Lancaster vs. Reynoldsburg — The Ohio Capital Conference’s Buckeye Division has been home to Lancaster and Reynoldsburg since the Golden Gales joined the OCC in the late 1990’s. While the seeding in this Division I, Region 3 affair might indicate a mismatch (Lancaster is the 12 seed, Reynoldsburg 5^th) earlier this season, the two played an instant classic, with the Raiders comeback falling just short in a 41-40 Lancaster win. The contest evoked memories or other recent meetings, such as 2017, when Reynoldsburg prevailed 42-34, and two years previous to that, when the Raiders survived a 49-42 triple-overtime thriller. The Gales have a 2-4 record, but three of those four losses were by a combined 13 points.
• Centerville vs. Wayne — Greater Western Ohio Conference rivals Centerville (3-3) and Wayne (4-2) square off in the first round of a Division I, Region 2 match-up. These teams have played every year since 1966, although Friday marks just the third-ever post-season meeting. Back on September 11^th, The Warriors rallied from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to stun the Elks 28-23. Centerville (11^th seed) brings some momentum into the playoffs coming off 49-10 (Beavercreek) and 42-0 (Miamisburg) triumphs to close the regular season. Wayne, seeded 6^th, is in search of its first extended playoff run since 2016.

All games will be available to watch on Spectrum News 1 either on your television or the app starting at 7 p.m.

The playoffs are always a source of excitement for high schools, but arguably, this year holds much more importance than in previous years. The pandemic has flipped the sports world on its side, leaving players and coaches worried about what their seasons would look like. 

But they made it through, and now, many teams are competing for the very first time, like South, Africentric, Whetstone and Linden high schools in central Ohio. However, this could be difficult considering many schools didn't start practicing until late August amid the pandemic uncertainty, like Solon and St. Ignatius in northeast Ohio. 

Although many players are excited to finally get their shot, others had their hopes dashed as some schools decided to back out of the playoffs, citing COVID-19 concerns. The schools not participating include: Woodward, Western Hills, Gamble Montessori, Riverview East, Clark Montessori, Central Crossing, Cory-Rawson, Portsmouth Notre Dame, Portsmouth Sciotoville, Warren Champion, Newcomerstown, Delphos Jefferson, and many others. 

In a normal season, 224 schools qualify for the playoffs. This year, 664 schools opted in for the postseason.

Following Friday night's games, join Spectrum News 1 for “High School Blitz." Neil Sika, Brett Hiltbrand and Matt D’Orazio take you live to exciting finishes from other playoff games, recap the night’s action and break down the updated brackets.