The verdict is still out, but the early returns appear favorable for the new 12-team regional playoff format.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced the new setup in June, reducing the playoff field from 16 teams per region to 12.

One of the primary reasons for the contraction was a lack of parity in the opening round. Higher seeds were a combined 179-45 in the opening round last year. The top four seeds in each region were a combined 104-8.

In the new model, the top four teams in each region received an opening-round bye. The next four seeds hosted the bottom four seeds and the results weren’t especially surprising.

Number 5 seeds held a 25-3 advantage over No. 12 seeds last weekend, while No. 6 seeds were 20-8 against No. 11 seeds. Likewise, No. 7 seeds were 20-8 against No. 10 seeds.

The biggest surprise from opening weekend was that No. 8 seeds were a combined 21-7 vs. No. 9 seeds. The 8 vs. 9 game was even during the four seasons of the 16-team era (56-56).

The real difference, not surprisingly, was in the margin of victory. 

Of the 28 1 vs. 16 matchups last year, 25 were played with a running clock in the second half. The running clock is utilized when a team leads by 30 or more points after halftime. The average margin of victory among top-seeded teams last year was 42 points.

There were 10 running clock games among the 28 5 vs. 12 matchups last weekend. The average margin of victory in those games was 21.3 points.

Last weekend still produced some non-competitive games, but there were far fewer than in year’s past.

The question remains: How will teams that earned opening-round byes fare this weekend?

Area coaches had mixed emotions about the bye when the new format was announced in June. Some liked the idea of an off-week, figuring a week of rest would be welcome relief after a rugged regular season schedule.

Others worried a bye would break a team’s rhythm at the worst possible time. The regional quarterfinal is no time to be knocking off a week’s worth of rust against a team coming off an opening-round playoff victory.

We’ll find out how difficult navigating a bye week is Friday night.

No Place Like Home

Five of north central Ohio’s seven remaining playoff teams earned first-round byes and will open the playoffs at home this weekend.

That group includes three top-seeded teams in Shelby (Division IV, Region 14), Centerburg (Division VI, Region 23) and Hillsdale (Division VII, Region 27). Lexington is the No. 3 seed in Division III, Region 10, while Galion is the No. 2 seed in Division IV, Region 14.

Division II Ashland and Division VII Danville won opening-round games last week and will be on the road this weekend.

Conference Comparison

The Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, Knox Morrow Athletic Conference, Wayne County Athletic League and Northern 10 Athletic Conference each produced four playoff qualifiers.

The N10 enjoyed the most success on the opening weekend of the playoffs, going 4-0. Colonel Crawford, Carey, Seneca East and Mohawk all won.

The WCAL was 2-0 with two teams, Hillsdale and Norwayne, earning opening-round byes. Dalton and Smithville both picked up victories last weekend.

The KMAC was 1-1 as Danville won and Fredericktown fell last week. Centerburg and Mount Gilead both had byes.

It was a rough weekend for the MOAC as both Ontario and Clear Fork were eliminated last weekend. Shelby and Galion open postseason play on Friday.

The Ohio Cardinal Conference produced just two playoff qualifiers, but both are still alive. Ashland won last weekend and Lex had a first-round bye.

The Firelands Conference had three playoff qualifiers. Western Reserve won last week, while Norwalk St. Paul was eliminated. Monroeville had a first-round bye.

Turning our attention to the south, the Licking County League’s Buckeye Division had three playoff qualifiers. Mount Vernon fell, while Granville picked up a first-round win. Licking Valley had a bye. 

The LCL’s Cardinal Division produced two playoff teams. Heath fell in its opener, while Johnstown advanced.

Mighty MAC

The Midwest Athletic Conference did nothing to tarnish its reputation as the top small-school conference in the state, if not the nation.

Seven of the 10 MAC schools qualified for the playoffs with four-time reigning state champ Marion Local and St. Henry earning first-round byes. The other five MAC schools who qualified were 4-1 last weekend. Minster was the lone MAC school to be eliminated. The Wildcats fell 50-48.