REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The Ohio High School Athletic Association's decision to take 16 teams instead of eight for the high school football playoffs took the pressure off winning early on in the season said Reynoldsburg High School Coach Buddy White.

​“We intentionally scheduled our first four weeks against some of the top teams against the state because number one we knew they were taking 16 teams per region and it would give us the opportunity to raise our level of play,” said White.

The Raiders started off 0-4, bouncing back and winning four games straight. White said the new tournament setup helped his team stay focused on the bigger picture — playoff season.

“The kids really stayed together,” said White. “We started playing good football at the right time.”

Quarterback Dijon Jennings said the change helped teams like his have a chance at a playoff run.

“It's just a great opportunity especially for teams like us, you know, we started out 0-4, but, you know, we picked things up and we really just have to capitalize off of this,” said Jennings. 

Linebacker Alex Uhl said the new playoff format helped his team rally back after their rocky start to the season.

“We all just came together as a brotherhood and pushed each other harder and harder,” he said.

The Reynoldsburg Raiders play the Hilliard Davidson Wildcats in the first round of the OHSAA Division I Playoff. White is excited for his team and the postseason.

“The first nine games mean nothing anymore because everyone is 0-0 and everyone knows it’s do or die,” said White. “We’re going to get everybody’s best shot and hopefully we’re going to give everybody our best shot.”

Reynoldsburg vs. Davidson is the Spectrum News High School Blitz Game of the Week. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.​