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OHSAA Football Playoffs: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Ohio High School Football Playoffs
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) football playoffs represent one of the most prestigious and competitive high school football tournaments in the United States. Each year, hundreds of teams across Ohio compete for the opportunity to be crowned state champions in their respective divisions.
Current Playoff Structure
Revised Format (2025 Season)
The OHSAA implemented significant changes to the playoff format starting in the 2025 season:
- Reduced Field: The number of qualifying teams per region decreased from 16 to 12
- First-Round Byes: The top four seeds in each region receive a first-round bye
- Home Field Advantage: Higher-seeded teams host the first three rounds of playoffs
- No. 4 Toledo Whitmer (9-2) at No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward (9-2)
- No. 3 Canton McKinley (9-2) at No. 2 Mentor (11-0)
- No. 5 Springfield (8-4) at No. 1 Middletown (9-2)
- No. 6 Huber Heights Wayne (8-4) at No. 2 Troy (9-2)
- No. 5 Powell Olentangy Liberty (8-4) at No. 1 Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (11-0)
- No. 6 Upper Arlington (10-2) at No. 2 Pickerington Central (10-1)
- No. 4 Cincinnati Princeton (9-2) at No. 1 Cincinnati Elder (11-0)
- No. 3 Cincinnati St. Xavier (8-2) at No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (8-3)
- Postseason ban for the current season
- Three years of probation
- $7,500 fine
- Regional Semifinals: November 14, 2025
- Regional Finals: November 21, 2025
- State Semifinals: November 28, 2025
- State Championships: December 4-6, 2025
- Spectrum: Provided live coverage of 23 regional semifinal games
- NFHS Network: Offered live streaming coverage of multiple playoff games
- OHSAA Radio Network: Traditional radio broadcasts of key matchups
- Four games televised on Spectrum
- Nineteen games available via live stream
- Multiple radio broadcasts across Ohio
- Wins and losses
- Opponent strength
- Division level of opponents
- Regional competition
- Opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level
- Community pride and engagement
- College recruitment exposure
- Lifetime memories for participants and fans
Division Structure
Ohio high school football is organized into seven divisions based on school enrollment size, with Division I being the largest schools and Division VII being the smallest. Each division is further divided into multiple regions across the state.
2025 Playoff Season Highlights
Regional Semifinal Matchups (November 14, 2025)
Division I, Region 1:
Division I, Region 2:
Division I, Region 3:
Division I, Region 4:
Significant Developments
Ironton Disqualification
In a notable disciplinary action, Ironton High School was removed from the 2025 playoffs due to multiple violations of OHSAA's recruiting bylaws over the past seven years. The penalties included:
Playoff Schedule and Venues
2025 Timeline
Championship Venue
All state championship games are held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, providing a professional atmosphere for the culmination of the season.
Media Coverage and Viewing Options
Broadcast Partners
Viewing Options
Historical Context and Tradition
The OHSAA football playoffs have a rich history dating back to their inception, with numerous legendary programs and players having competed for state championships. The tournament format has evolved over the years to accommodate the growing number of schools and ensure competitive balance.
Selection Process and Computer Points
Teams qualify for the playoffs through the OHSAA's computer points system, which considers:
The top 12 teams in each region based on computer points earn playoff berths, with seeding determined by point totals.
Impact on Ohio High School Football
The OHSAA playoffs represent the pinnacle of achievement for Ohio high school football programs, providing:
The tournament continues to showcase the depth and quality of high school football throughout the state of Ohio, maintaining its status as one of the nation's premier high school athletic competitions.
The prompt for this was: ohsaa football playoffs
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