The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) revealed the pairings for the state semifinals scheduled for November 28. This announcement has generated excitement, particularly around the possibility of a rematch in the Division III bracket featuring teams from central Ohio.
Central Ohio Matchups in Division III
The anticipated clash will occur between the winner of the Region 11 championship, which pits Watterson against Steubenville. They will face the victor of the contest between London and Tipp City Tippecanoe from Region 12. Last year, Watterson triumphed over London with a score of 56-21 before securing the state title against Toledo Central Catholic.
Key State Semifinal Matchups
In addition to the central Ohio teams, here are other notable matchups across various divisions:
- Division I:
- Region 2: No. 1 Middletown vs. No. 6 Huber Heights Wayne
- Region 4: No. 1 Cincinnati Elder vs. No. 3 Cincinnati St. Xavier
- Division II:
- Region 5: No. 1 Akron Hoban vs. No. 2 Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit
- Region 6: No. 1 Medina Highland vs. No. 3 Avon
- Division IV:
- Region 15: No. 1 New Lexington vs. No. 2 Gnadenhutten Indian Valley
- Region 16: No. 1 Cincinnati Indian Hill vs. No. 2 Germantown Valley View
Remaining Central Ohio Teams in the Playoffs
Several other teams from central Ohio are still in the playoff race:
- Olentangy Orange will take on Pickerington Central in the Region 3 final.
- Big Walnut faces Massillon Washington in the Region 7 championship.
- North Union plays Lewistown Indian Lake in Region 20.
- In Division VI, West Jefferson might meet Kirtland if they defeat North Robinson Colonel Crawford.
- Danville aims to secure a match against McDonald or Mogadore in Division VII.
Semifinal Game Details
The OHSAA confirms that the state semifinal games will take place at neutral sites. The specific locations are set to be announced shortly. Factors such as the geographic proximity of the teams help determine matchups for the semifinals.
Upcoming Schedule
The regional finals are scheduled for November 21 at 7 p.m. Here are some key games of interest:
| Region | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward vs. No. 2 Mentor | Parma Byers Field |
| 3 | No. 1 Olentangy Orange vs. No. 2 Pickerington Central | Historic Crew Stadium |
| 7 | No. 1 Big Walnut vs. No. 3 Massillon Washington | Zanesville |
| 11 | No. 1 Watterson vs. No. 3 Steubenville | White Field in Newark |
The excitement builds as teams prepare for these crucial matchups in advance of the OHSAA football playoffs. Fans are eagerly awaiting the outcomes that will shape the championship landscape in Ohio high school football this season.
