COLUMBUS — Eight north central Ohio teams remain in the hunt for playoff spots as the high school football season enters its final weekend of regular-season games, according to the ratings released Tuesday afternoon by the Ohio High School Athletics Association.
The top eight teams in each region reach the postseason, with the top four hosting playoff games on the first weekend. Of the 719 OHSAA member schools playing varsity football this fall, the largest 72 schools are in Division I, while the remaining schools are divided equally in Divisions II through VII (approximately 108 schools in each division).
What we know today is this will be a busy playoff season for north central Ohio schools. Four area teams have clinched playoff berths, at least three of them will get first-round home games, two schools control their own respective destinies, and two more are fighting to extend their seasons to a Week 11 date.
There is no suspense at Clear Fork, Shelby, Wynford and Lucas. It’s a matter of positioning and finishing off spectacular campaigns.
The Colts are 9-0 and have already clinched the No. 1 seed in Division IV, Region 14. Coach Dave Carroll’s squad stunned previously unbeaten Pleasant with a 20-14 overtime win on Friday night. The Colts trailed 14-0 with just four minutes remaining, but grabbed at least a share of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference title with a wild rally.
Clear Fork will host Marion Harding (6-3) on Friday night for an outright crown. The Colts will then be home for a playoff game in Bellville against the No. 8 seed on Friday, Nov. 3.
Shelby is also 9-0, and in practically the same position as Clear Fork. Incredibly, the Whippets have played to a running clock in the second half of every game this season. That means coach Erik Will’s team has opened at least a 30-point lead on each foe this fall. Lexington, a 41-7 victim in Week Two, was the closest competitor.
The Whippets are No. 2 to Clear Fork in the region, but cannot catch the Colts in computer points. Still, Shelby will be home Friday night against Vermilion (5-4), a team chasing its own playoff spot. Will’s squad is on a quest to complete a perfect season in the Sandusky Bay Conference. The following week, Shelby will also host a Nov. 3 playoff clash.
Lucas has already clinched a postseason date and is hoping to secure a home playoff game. The Cubs (7-2) dropped a tough, 30-27 decision at River on Saturday, yet still clinched a playoff berth. Coach Scott Spitler’s team is third in Division VII, Region 27, but three other schools have already sewed up home playoff games.
Lucas hosts 1-8 Conotton Valley on Friday night.
Wynford leads the way at second in Division VI, Region 22 to Liberty-Benton, who already claimed the top seed. But the 7-2 Royals have secured a home playoff game heading into Friday night’s game with winless Buckeye Central.
Ashland is in excellent position to join the postseason party. Coach Scott Valentine’s squad is No. 4 in Division II, Region 7 and controls its own destiny. The Arrows (8-1) tangle with Wooster (4-5) at home Friday night for an outright Ohio Cardinal Conference championship.
Likewise, Mansfield Senior also controls its own destiny. The Tygers (7-2) are seventh in Division III, Region 10. They host crosstown rival Madison (0-9) Friday night at Arlin Field for a ticket to the postseason. A win and they’re in is all coach Chioke Bradley’s players need to know.
Two more local teams are involved in Division VI, Region 22, behind Wynford. Crestview is 6-3 and ranked No. 8 in the region going into Friday night’s home game with 4-5 Plymouth. But even with a Firelands Conference victory, the Cougars’ playoff fate will be determined by second-level points.
Hillsdale is 6-3 with a Wayne County League clash looming against Smithville (6-3). Although the Falcons are No. 10 in the region, a victory here and with second-level help from their previous victims could lead to a playoff berth.
