OHIO — It is the season to give thanks, and three schools are showing plenty of gratitude after winning a regional in the Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs for the first time in school history.
Kings (Cincinnati), Tippecanoe (Tipp City) and Jefferson Area (Ashtabula County) are entering unchartered territory. There’s a fresh perspective on the state tournament overall, with only nine of 28 schools back to this same level from 2021.
Spectrum News returns to bring you all 14 games this weekend, on Spectrum News 1, the Spectrum News app and on OHSAA broadcast.
Division I – Gahanna (13-1) vs. St. Edward (13-1) — Friday in Mansfield
Gahanna vs. St. Edward link to watch
Friday night in northern and central Ohio, viewers will see defending Division I state champion St. Edward try and continue toward a sixth state title in school history. The Eagles shut out Mentor 27-0 to earn the Region 1 championship.
Gahanna is coming out of Region 3, winning a regional title for the first time since 1982, with a 25-17 triumph over New Albany. It’s just the third ever appearance in the state tournament, losing to Moeller 40 years ago, and St. Edward back in 1976. While the Lions won that match-up (28-0), Gahanna ultimately fell to Moeller in the title game.
Division I – Springfield (12-1) Moeller (13-1) — Friday in Piqua
Springfield vs. Moeller link to watch
Speaking of Moeller, the Crusaders are the OHSAA Game of the Week in southwest Ohio, reprising last year’s state semifinal meeting with Springfield.
The Wildcats have cruised to a Region 2 title, winning all four playoff games by three or more touchdowns, including a 35-7 decision over Olentangy Liberty in the final. Springfield won this game (23-13) a year ago, before falling to St. Edward in the state championship game.
Moeller is in pursuit of its tenth state title, but first since winning two straight from 2013-14. There’s no shortage of intrigue for the Crusaders, from the availability of star running back Jordan Marshall, to freshman quarterback Matt Ponatoski, who made his first career start in the regional final against Lakota West, a 38-20 win. Even more remarkable, his first career varsity action didn’t come until the week prior against Mason.
Division II – Hoban (13-1) vs. Massillon (12-1) — Friday at InfoCision Stadium
Hoban vs. Massillon link to watch
Arguably, the most anticipated state semifinal will take place at the University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium. Hoban and Massillon will renew acquaintances, meeting in the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. That includes two state championship games, both won by Hoban in 2018 and 2020, with the latter coming on the Tigers’ home field.
The Knights have won state titles in five of the past seven years, while Massillon is still seeking its very first, despite appearances in three straight finals from 2018-20.
Hoban found little resistance in Region 5, getting past Hudson (41-7) in the championship. The Knights haven’t won a game by fewer than 12 points all year, with the only loss to St. Edward in the regular season finale.
The Tigers bring a 12-game winning streak into this game, following a loss to Moeller in the season opener. Massillon beat Perry, Canal Winchester, Big Walnut and Lake for a Region 7 title.
Bonus coverage of this game will be available on Spectrum channel 314.
Division II – Kings (13-1) vs. Toledo Central (13-1) — Friday at Wapakoneta
Kings vs. Toledo Central link to watch
Toledo Central Catholic doesn’t get a lot of attention, but perhaps the Fighting Irish should. After a tight, 23-20 loss to St. Edward in the season opener, Central has won 13 straight games, including the last three in a row against Avon Lake, Highland and Avon to win Region 6. The Irish are comfortable on this stage, too, appearing in three state finals (winning in 2012 and 2015) in a four-year span from 2012-15.
The king of Region 8 is, well, Kings. The Knights won their first regional title in their 16th playoff appearance, knocking off Anderson (46-42) in the final, following a shocking upset of Winton Woods in the semis.
Division III – Holy Name (11-2) vs. Canfield (12-1) — Friday at Euclid
Holy Name vs. Canfield link to watch
On to Division III, where Holy Name had a “holy cow!” moment, capturing the Green Wave’s first regional title since 1975, with a 56-21 win over Padua in the Region 10 final. Holy Name fell to West Holmes in that same final one year ago.
Canfield shocked two-time defending state champion Chardon (14-7) in the Region 9 final last Friday. The Cardinals are one of two teams from Canfield (South Range in Division VI) still chasing title dreams.
Division III – Tippecanoe (13-1) vs. Bloom-Carroll (13-1) — Friday at London
Tippecanoe vs. Bloom-Carroll link to watch
Just like Kings, Tippecanoe finally cracked the state tournament in its 16th playoff appearance. Just like Canfield, the Red Devils took out one of Division III’s favorites, with a 20-17 upset over Badin in the Region 12 final. Tippecanoe can light up the scoreboard, too, topping 40 points seven times and going over 60 points three times.
Bloom-Carroll was here a year ago, although in Division IV. It’s actually three straight regional titles for the Bulldogs, capturing Region 11 with a 33-28 win over Columbus Watterson in the final. Bloom-Carroll’s defense has some teeth, allowing single digits seven times, with four shutouts.
Division V – Liberty Center (14-0) vs. South Range (14-0) — Friday at Clyde
Liberty Center vs. South Range link to watch
Liberty Center took liberties with Region 18, winning its first regional title since 2018. The Tigers beat Elmwood 49-38 to advance. Liberty Center was a state power in the 1990s, reaching the state tournament six times from 1992 through 2000, winning it all in 1997.
South Range outlasted Perry (49-21) in the Region 17 final to set up the only match-up in the state semifinals of unbeaten teams. The Raiders have reached this point twice (2005 & 2017), but have yet to make a state championship game. South Range handled Jefferson Area (in Division VI state tournament) 42-7 back on October 7th, in the regular season.
Division V – Valley View (13-1) vs. Ironton (14-0) — Friday at Princeton
Valley View vs. Ironton link to watch
Speaking of 1990s state powers, Valley View is celebrating a regional title (Region 20) for the first time in 20 years, following a 21-7 win over Milton-Union in the final. The Spartans also reached the state tournament six times between 1992 and 2000, winning three titles (1994, 1996-97).
Ironton is back among regional champions (Region 19) for the third time in four years, falling in the state championship game in 2019 and 2020. The Fighting Tigers appear in their 38th playoff, and shooting for the school’s first state title since 1989. Ironton has allowed just 21 points total in four playoff wins, while scoring 168 points on offense.
Division IV – Glenville (13-0) vs. Jefferson Area (11-3) — Saturday at Perry
Glenville vs. Jefferson Area link to watch
On Saturday, it’s Divisions IV, VI and VII at the forefront. Jefferson Area represents Region 13 (Division IV), following a 41-37 win over West Branch. The Falcons have never advanced this far in the football playoffs, only making their third-ever appearance in the postseason. Jefferson Area is hoping to become the first school from Ashtabula County to win a football state championship.
Glenville stands in the way, however. The Tarblooders outlasted Van Wert (42-33) in the Region 14 final last week. Glenville has wins over two Division I schools this season (Olentangy Liberty and John Marshall), and four over teams in Division II (Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Avon, Rhodes and John Hay. All six of those higher-division programs made the playoffs.
The Tarblooders reached the state finals in 2009 and 2013, but haven’t advanced to the state tournament since that trip nine years ago.
Division IV – Wyoming (14-0) vs. Steubenville (12-2) — Saturday at Crew Stadium
Wyoming vs. Steubenville link to watch
Wyoming has been one of the strongest programs in the state, currently boasting a 67-game winning streak in the regular season, dating back to 2015. The Cowboys captured the Division IV state title in 2018, and have only three losses since then, dropping decisions to Clyde (2019), Van Wert (2020) and Clinton-Massie (2021) all in the playoffs eventual state champions.
The path this postseason went through Taft in the Region 16 final, and a 7-0 win, the tenth time Wyoming pitched a shutout in 14 games this year.
Steubenville earned its 19th regional championship by beating Indian Valley 41-7 in the Region 15 final. The Big Red would love to add to the trophy case with a fifth state championship, the last one coming in 2017. Head coach Reno Saccoccia passed Manchester’s Jim France earlier this season to become Ohio’s all-time leader in wins among coaches, currently with 413 victories.
Bonus coverage of this game will also be available on Spectrum channel 314, on Saturday.
Division VI – Fort Frye (13-1) vs. Kirtland (14-0) — Saturday at South Range
Fort Frye vs. Kirtland link to watch
This is the third time in five years that Fort Frye has won a regional, knocking off Bellaire 35-18, to take Region 23. The Cadets have not yet graduated to a state championship game appearance, however.
It won’t be easy to change that, as the Region 21 winner—and Saturday’s opponent—is Kirtland. The Hornets beat Mogadore 30-0 last week, a second consecutive playoff shutout. Kirtland saw its 55-game winning streak (which overlapped state titles from 2018-20) come to an end with a loss to Versailles in the 2021 Division V championship game a year ago.
Division VI – Columbus Grove (12-2) vs. Marion Local (14-0) — Saturday at Lima Senior
Columbus Grove vs. Marion Local link to watch
Columbus Grove is the last one standing from Region 22, shutting out previously unbeaten Columbia in the final to advance. The Bulldogs have one state title in school history, which occurred in 2003.
Marion Local, meanwhile, has an OHSAA-record 12, including one in Division VII in 2021. The Flyers’ pride themselves on keeping offenses grounded, allowing just 33 points TOTAL all season. Marion Local has ten shutouts, and has only surrendered a field goal (to Versailles in the playoffs on November 12) since Sept. 23.
Division VII – Newark Catholic (11-1) Warren JFK (12-1) — Saturday at Orrville
Newark Catholic vs. Warren JFK link to watch
It’s become tradition in Division VII for Warren John F. Kennedy to match-up with Newark Catholic in the state semifinals, as this game will be played for a third straight year. The Eagles were victorious in 2020, winning 20-13, while the Green Wave got revenge a year ago in the form of a 14-7 triumph.
Warren JFK got a late touchdown to get past Danville in the Region 25 final, winning 22-21. It’s the fourth regional title in seven years for the Eagles.
Newark Catholic is in the state tournament as often as there is a turkey on the Thanksgiving Day table, or so it seems. The Green Wave captured the school’s 29th regional championship (out of 51 years), with a 27-12 win over Hannibal River in the Region 27 final. Newark Catholic has rattled off nine straight wins after opening the season 2-1 (with two cancelations).
Division VII – Lima Central Catholic (10-4) vs. New Bremen (11-3) — Saturday at Wapakoneta
Lima Central Catholic vs. New Bremen link to watch
Lima Central Catholic won a second regional title (Region 26) in three years, beating undefeated Antwerp 43-7 last week. Not bad for a team that was sitting at 2-3 at the halfway point of the regular season. The Thunderbirds are very familiar with the boys basketball state tournament, appearing nine times, and winning three, but are seeking the school’s first football state title.
It’s never easy playing in the Midwest Athletic League, but it always prepares teams for the playoffs. New Bremen lost to Marion Local, Coldwater and Delphos St. John’s, but have won four straight to take the Region 28 crown (beat Fort Loramie 24-0 in the final). The Cardinals were state champs just two years ago, when they beat Lima Central Catholic in the state semifinals, following a massive upset over Marion Local.
Coverage begins on Friday with High School Blitz at 6:55 p.m., and returns following each game when Neil Sika, Brett Hiltbrand and Matt D’Orazio break down the entire night and look ahead to next week’s state championships. Those will be played on December 1-3 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton:
- Thursday, Dec. 2 – Division II (7 p.m.)
- Friday, Dec. 3 – Division V (10:30 a.m.)
- Friday, Dec. 3 – Division III (3 p.m.)
- Friday, Dec. 3 – Division I (7:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, Dec. 4 – Division VI (10:30 a.m.)
- Saturday, Dec. 4 – Division VII (3 p.m.)
- Saturday, Dec. 4 – Division IV (7:30 p.m.)
It will all be on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App, your home for high school sports, with coverage beginning 15 minutes before each game on OHSAA Championship Gameday.
