Ohio High School Football 2025: Division II Playoffs at the Halfway Mark

Ohio High School Football Playoffs 2025: A Look at the Division II Format

As the Ohio high school football season enters its fifth week, teams are approaching the midpoint of the regular season. This is a crucial time for coaches and players as they assess their progress and prepare for the upcoming playoffs. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has made significant changes to the playoff format for the 2025 season, which will impact how teams qualify and compete.

One of the most notable changes is the reduction in the number of teams that will make the playoffs. Previously, the top 16 teams in each region qualified for postseason play. However, starting in 2025, only 12 teams per region will advance to the playoffs. Additionally, the top four seeds in each region will receive a bye in the first round, allowing them to rest and prepare for later rounds.

Another key change involves the hosting of playoff games. Unlike previous years, where the first two rounds were hosted by the higher-seeded team, the first three rounds will now be hosted by the higher seed. This shift could have a significant impact on team performance, as home-field advantage becomes even more critical.

The first-round matchups will consist of the following:

• No. 12 vs. No. 5
• No. 11 vs. No. 6
• No. 10 vs. No. 7
• No. 9 vs. No. 8

In the second round, the top seeds will host the winners from the first round. Specifically:

• No. 1 seed hosts the winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
• No. 2 seed hosts the winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
• No. 3 seed hosts the winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
• No. 4 seed hosts the winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

All playoff games, except for the state championships, will be played on Friday nights. The playoff qualifiers and first-round matchups will be announced on Sunday, October 26, with the first round taking place on Friday, October 31. Subsequent rounds will follow this schedule:

• Regional quarterfinals: November 7
• Regional semifinals: November 14
• Regional finals: November 21
• State semifinals: November 28

The regional finals and state semifinals will be held at neutral sites determined by the OHSAA. The state championship games will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton from December 4 to December 6.

Division II Playoff Scenario Based on Current Standings

If the playoffs were to start after five weeks, here’s how the Division II landscape would look based on current rankings:

Region 5

Byes:
1. Lake
2. Nordonia
3. Walsh Jesuit
4. Archbishop Hoban

First Round Games:
5. Hudson/Twinsburg vs. 12 Euclid
6. Twinsburg/Hudson vs. 11 Willoughby South
7. Austintown-Fitch vs. 10 Eastlake North
8. Garfield Heights vs. 9 Riverside

Region 6

Byes:
1. Highland
2. Wadsworth
3. Avon
4. Anthony Wayne

First Round Games:
5. Olmsted Falls vs. 12 Avon Lake/Clay/St. Francis de Sales
6. North Ridgeville vs. 11 Avon Lake/Clay/Toledo St. Francis de Sales
7. Rhodes vs. 10 Brecksville-Broadview Heights
8. St. John's Jesuit vs. 9 Lakewood

Region 7

Byes:
1. Canal Winchester
2. Ashland
3. Louisville
4. Hoover

First Round Games:
5. Columbus St. Francis DeSales vs. 12 St. Charles
6. Big Walnut vs. 11 Mount Vernon
7. Worthington Kilbourne vs. 10 Teays Valley
8. Westerville South vs. 9 Massillon

Region 8

Byes:
1. Anderson
2. Kings
3. Trotwood-Madison
4. Harrison

First Round Games:
5. Xenia vs. 12 Stebbins
6. La Salle vs. 11 Butler
7. Withrow vs. 10 Fairborn
8. Turpin vs. 9 Lima Senior

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For live updates, team tracking, and coverage of top games, fans can download the High School on SI app. Available for both iPhone and Android users, the app provides real-time information and keeps fans connected throughout the season.