COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two teams will earn a trip to the Division I Championship game, as the semifinals comprise the OHSAA Game of the Week, live at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News 1.

Defending champion Pickerington Central is quite familiar with its opponent, having defeated Mentor 28-21 in a 2019 state semifinal game. The Tigers have won two of the past three titles in the state’s largest division, also defeating the Cardinals 56-28 in the 2017 state championship game.

Pickerington Central’s (10-0) path to a Region 3 crown has been paved with consistency. The Tigers have scored between 34 and 48 points in all 10 games this season, while allowing double-digits on only two of those contests. Under first-year coach Matt Gray, Mentor (9-1) is hoping for its first state championship, after falling in the 2017, 2013, 2007, and 2006 title games.

The third repeat semifinalist from 2019 is Springfield (8-1). The Wildcats fell in the “final four” a year ago to Elder, and now square off with another GCL South giant in St. Xavier (8-2).

Since Maurice Douglass returned to his alma mater in 2014, the Wildcats have made four playoff appearances (7-3 record), all which have come in the last five years. The Bombers are making their 12th straight playoff appearance, and have won 21 postseason games during that span, including a 2016 state title.

Both games can also be viewed on the new Spectrum News app. Download for free here.

As a bonus, coverage of the Division II, Region 5 Final between Hudson (9-0) and Hoban (8-0) will be available on channel 314. The Explorers have rediscovered themselves after a 3-7 season in 2018, but the Knights are a formidable foe, sporting a 76-5 record since 2015, including four state championships.

It should be an explosive game, as the Wildcats have scored at least 32 points in all seven games, topping the 50-point plateau four times. The Tigers have scored 56 and 48 points in their playoff match-ups.

In addition to those games available on Spectrum News 1, and on the new Spectrum News app, these are provided through www.ohsaa.tv:

  • Division II, Region 6 Final - No. 3 Avon Lake vs. No. 1 Avon – Eagles won 33-30 in 2 OT in regular season and lead series 10-3 since 2010. This is the third time in five years they’ve squared off in the regular season and the playoffs.
  • Division II, Region 7 Final - No. 2 Massillon vs. No. 1 Massillon Perry – The Tigers prevailed 35-7 in a 2019 playoff match-up.
  • Division II, Region 8 Final - No. 2 La Salle vs. No. 1 Winton Woods – Warriors have won last two meetings, including in the 2019 regular season (26-21).
  • Division III, Region 9 Final - No. 3 Canfield vs. No. 1 Chardon – Canfield swept the regular season series in 2017 and 2018.
  • Division III, Region 11 Final - No. 2 Hartley vs. No. 1 DeSales – This is the THIRD meeting of the year between these two schools, with DeSales winning the previous two (24-21, 16-14) by a combined five points.
  • Division III, Region 12 Final - No. 6 Alter vs. No. 5 Hamilton Ross – After not winning any playoff games in seven previous appearances, the Rams have four post-season victories in 2020.
  • Division VII, Region 26 Final - No. 6 Hopewell-Loudon vs. No. 1 Lima Central – Last regional title for Lima Central was 2010, Hopewell-Loudon 2008.
  • Division VII, Region 27 Final - No. 7 Shadyside vs. N. 5 Newark Catholic – Tigers looking for revenge after losing 40-0 to the Green Wave in last year’s playoffs.

Stick with Spectrum News 1 following the games for High School Blitz. Neil Sika, Brett Hiltbrand, and Matt D’Orazio wrap up the night in the OHSAA playoffs, and look ahead to next Friday’s games.