OHIO — There are just 56 schools remaining in the Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs, and 19 of them are still undefeated.
That includes five regional finals featuring a battle of unbeaten teams: Avon-Highland (Region 6), Watterson-Steubenville (Region 11), Indian Valley-St. Clairsville (Region 15), Liberty Center-Edison (Region 18), and Northmor-Grandview (Region 23).
If you are looking for a Cinderella, 14-seed Wheelersburg (Region 19) and 15-seed Delphos St. John’s (Region 26) are still hanging around, proudly wearing that slipper.
The OHSAA Game of the Week on Spectrum News 1 hones in on Division I, where—surprise, surprise—the Region 1 champion will be St. Edward or Mentor.
Division I, Region 1: 7. St. Edward (8-5) vs. 1. Mentor (13-0)
It will be the eighth straight year (and 12 of the last 13) that it will be one of those two schools. Only St. Ignatius in 2016 crashed the party.
Naturally, that means a lot of playoff matchups, and this marks the fourth time in the last seven years it’s the Region 1 final. The Eagles won in 2022 and 2018, while Mentor was victorious in 2019. St. Edward leads the all-time series 9-7, with the teams splitting eight postseason games.
Not only have the Eagles won each of the last three Region 1 championships, but they’ve also taken home the Division I titles, too, giving St. Edward seven state championships all-time. The Cardinals are in search of their first but have appeared in four state title games.
A rugged regular season schedule—and some injuries—limited the Eagles to a 5-5 mark heading into the playoffs. However, of the seven Ohio schools on their schedule, five of them are still alive in the postseason.
Meanwhile, Mentor has had little trouble this season, playing only two games that have been decided by fewer than 20 points. The Cardinals have outpaced their three playoff opponents by a combined 95-7 score.
Division I, Region 3: 7. Pickerington North (11-2) vs. 1. Olentangy Liberty (11-2)
In Central Ohio, Pickerington North plays Olentangy Liberty for the first-time ever in the postseason, but the Patriots have won four of the seven all-time matchups. The teams split the most recent affairs in 2018 and 2019.
The Panthers bring an eight-game winning streak into this contest and are shooting for the school’s first regional title since 2012. Pick North has done it with defense, allowing 14 points or fewer in seven of its games this year.
The Patriots won three straight regionals from 2016 to 2018, and have also been strong defensively, keeping ten opponents to under 20 points, including last week to Upper Arlington, one of the two teams (Olentangy Berlin) that beat Liberty in the regular season.
Division I, Region 4: 6. St. Xavier (10-3) vs. 1. Moeller (12-1)
For the eighth straight year, and 31st time in 33 years beginning in 1992, a Greater Catholic League South team is in the Region 4 (or Region 2 when Division I had just two regions from 2013 to 2015) championship game.
Elder, Moeller and St. Xavier are state powers that have combined for 15 championships and 33 regional titles.
What’s even more impressive is there are only four schools in the CGL-South. Additionally, La Salle has mostly been in Division II.
The Crusaders and Bombers are on opposing sidelines Friday night for a second time this season, with Moeller a 45-37 winner back on September 20th, one of eight games that the Crusaders have cruised past 40 points scored.
Meanwhile, St. Xavier have not allowed more than 20 points in a game since then, a span of eight straight. The Bombers got here by avenging another of their losses this season, beating Lakota West a week ago after the Firebirds won the season opener.
All-time, Moeller has a 47-24-1 series lead, including a 6-3 mark in playoff games. That includes last year, when the Crusaders were 10-7 winners in the first round. Moeller also won a 2022 regional quarterfinal, making this the third straight year these two have met a second time.
Division I, Region 2: 8. Wayne (8-5) vs. 2. Centerville (10-3)
The fourth Division I regional final provides bonus coverage for Spectrum viewers on channel 314, and it also features familiar conference foes.
Centerville defeated Wayne 38-14 in the last week of the regular season for both these members of the Greater Western Ohio Conference.
All-time, the Elks hold a slim 36-33 advantage in the series, but the Warriors have taken all three playoff meetings (2020, 2010 & 2005).
Spectrum News 1 will provide these games on www.SpectrumNews1.com, with the following matchups:
Division II, Region 5: 2. Hoban (11-2) vs. 1. Walsh Jesuit (13-0)
It’s the third time in four years these two have met in the Region 5 final. Hoban has reached the state championship game eight of the last nine years but hasn’t won it all since 2020. Walsh Jesuit seeks its first regional title since 1999.
Division II, Region 6: 2. Highland (13-0) vs. 1. Avon (13-0)
Highland has a 47-6 record over the last four seasons but hasn’t won a region since 2013. Meanwhile, Avon has a regional crown in six of the past seven years, including a win over the Hornets in this game a year ago.
Division II, Region 7: 3. Massillon (10-2) vs. Big Walnut (12-1)
For the third time in four years, Massillon meets Big Walnut in the Region 7 playoffs, with the Tigers winners in 2021 (38-0) and 2022 (42-21). With a win Friday, the Golden Eagles would have their most victories in a season since the state championship squad in 2007 went 14-1.
Division II, Region 8: 2. La Salle (11-2) vs. 1. Anderson (13-0)
Second all-time meeting, with La Salle a 45-21 winner in the 2021 postseason. Anderson can light up a scoreboard with six games of 50 more points, including totals of 78 and 64.
Division III, Region 9: 2. Gilmour (12-1) vs. 1. Ursuline (12-1)
Gilmour has reached a regional final in football for the first time in school history, while Ursuline has won 10, including four state championships.
Division III, Region 10: 7. Padua (8-5) vs. 1. Toledo Central Catholic (12-1)
Defending Division III state champion Toledo Central Catholic plays Parma Padua for the first time since 1976, a game won by the Bruins (16-14).
Division III, Region 11: 2. Steubenville (12-0) vs. 1. Watterson (13-0)
Watterson hasn’t lost since falling in last year’s Division III championship game. The Eagles have never beaten Steubenville in three tries, including the 1987 playoffs in a regional final.
Division III, Region 12: 4. London (13-0) vs. 3. Bellbrook (12-1)
Either London will win its first regional title since 1994, or Bellbrook will accept that trophy for the first time in school history.
Division IV, Region 13: 5. Glenville (10-3) vs. 2. Perry (12-1)
All seven defending state champions are still playing, but that won’t be the case after Friday. Perry moved up to Division IV from Division V, where Glenville has won the last two seasons.
Division IV, Region 14: 3. Ontario (12-1) vs. 1. Perkins (12-1)
Future Buckeye Bodpegn Miller turned in one of the most impressive performances in OHSAA football playoff history last week, leading a 49-48 comeback over Shelby in a Region 14 semifinal. The Warriors scored the game’s final 26 points, all in the fourth quarter. Miller ran for 209 yards and two touchdowns, threw for 294 and three more scores.
Division IV, Region 16: 10. Alter (8-5) vs. 5. Cincinnati Taft (11-2)
This is a rematch of a week three contest played in Cincinnati, won by Taft 36-7. Alter has won five in a row after starting the season 3-5.
Division V, Region 18: 2. Liberty Center (13-0) vs. 1. Edison (13-0)
The top two teams in Region 18 meet for the first time, with Liberty Center trying to get back to the Division V state championship game.
Division V, Region 19: 14. Wheelersburg (9-4) vs. 1. Ironton (12-1)
With the exception of 2020, Wheelersburg and Ironton have met in the season opener each year since 1998. This marks the fifth playoff matchup for these two, with the Pirates holding a 3-1 advantage. The Fighting Tigers lead the all-time series, 22-14.
Division VI, Region 21: 6. Dalton (10-3) vs. 1. Kirtland (13-0)
Two more teams with designs on returning to Canton. Dalton moved up to Division VI this year, losing to Marion Local in the Division VI championship last year. Kirtland has a 26-game winning streak, including the 2023 Division VI crown. The Hornets opened the regular season with a 55-34 win over the Bulldogs, the third straight year Kirtland defeated Dalton.
Division VI, Region 23: 2. Northmor (13-0) vs. 1. Grandview (12-0)
Northmor won a 2020 matchup between these two schools (34-0). The Bobcats are seeking their first regional title since 2015, while the Golden Knights have advanced further than any other team in school history.
Division VI, Region 24: 3. Anna (10-3) vs. 1. Coldwater (12-1)
Two fellow Midwest Athletic Conference opponents renew acquaintances, with Coldwater winning 34-18 in the regular season. The Cavaliers lead the all-time series 18-3. Both have recent state titles, too, with Anna in 2019 and Coldwater in 2020.
Division VII, Region 28: 2. Minster (11-2) vs. 1. Marion Local (13-0)
A second all-MAC matchup features Marion Local and its OHSAA record 61 straight winning streak. The closest team to knocking off the Flyers this year was Minster (21-0) back in week nine. Marion Local has 14 state championships (another OHSAA record), while Minster claims three.
Previous games from the season are also available on demand through our website.
Stay with Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App throughout the playoffs for live games, including all 14 state semifinals next Friday. It all culminates in the state championships Dec. 5 through Dec. 7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.