High school football continues locally as seven teams make playoffs

Seven teams, six games and an unlimited amount of optimism.

The area put together an impressive high school football regular season and now will be looking for one of its seven teams that made the postseason to make a strong run, hopefully, to the state tournament. The Ohio High School Athletic Association released the final computer points rankings and its postseason pairings Sunday afternoon.

The Chronicle is guaranteed to cover a regional semifinal, as two area teams face off in a Division II regional quarterfinal Friday night — No. 1 Midview vs. No. 8 Olmsted Falls. Also playing in Region 4 quarterfinals will be No. 3 Avon vs. No. 6 Highland and No. 7 North Ridgeville at No. 2 Perrysburg.

The other area matchups — all Saturday night games — will be No. 14 Elyria at No. 3 Lewis Center Olentangy in Division I, No. 8 Firelands at No. 1 Peninsula Woodridge in Division IV and No. 2 Columbia vs. No. 7 Smithville in Division VI.

The Middies will be making their second straight postseason appearance after completing their second consecutive unbeaten regular season. They advanced to the regional final last year — the furthest run amongst area teams — before losing to eventual state runner-up Nordonia.

“The majority of the guys on our team know what to expect because of last year,” Middies coach D.J. Shaw said. “We’re really excited to have another home game. We love to play in front of our home crowd and in our great facility.”

It is Midview’s eighth playoff appearance and it holds a 3-7 record.

Olmsted Falls (6-4) is making its 12th playoff appearance, but first since 2011. The Bulldogs have a 12-10 postseason record that includes a Division II state championship in 2000.

The schools met in a Southwestern Conference matchup in Week 7, with the Middies winning 35-10.

“Playing a team you’ve played before in the same year is really tough,” Shaw said. “They have tendencies on you and they have way more than three games worth of film to study.”

The teams will have a bit of a different look this time around, as Midview junior quarterback Dustin Crum was sidelined with an injury, Middies senior wide receiver Logan Bolin was playing in Crum’s place and Olmsted Falls running back Spencer Linville was also out due to an injury.

“We were both missing a key guy, so that kind of evens things out,” Shaw said. “Our offense didn’t change much with Logan in at quarterback. But they’ll have another receiver they’ll have to keep an eye on this time.”

Avon will be making its sixth straight postseason appearance and its ninth overall. The Eagles have a 13-8 playoff record which includes a Division II state runner-up finish in 2011.

The Eagles met Highland (6-4) last year in the regional quarterfinals and Avon came away with a 42-21 victory.

“This is my ninth year coaching Avon and we’ve been in the playoffs seven times, and this is the fourth time we’ve played them,” Eagles coach Mike Elder said. “So we have a lot of familiarity with them and it’s going to be a fun game.”

Avon is familiar with most of the region, as half of the eight teams hail from the SWC.

“Other than Glenville and Holland Springfield, who meet in the first round, we’ve seen all these teams in recent years,” Elder said. “It’s a new season and everyone is undefeated again. I think this region is up for grabs and anyone can win it. It’s all about who’s playing well at this point.”

North Ridgeville (8-2) is making just its second playoff appearance. The Rangers lost their lone playoff game in 2009 and are eager to show Perrysburg (10-0) that they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Also making its second postseason performance is Firelands (8-2), who lost its lone playoff game in 2011. The Falcons will be on the road Saturday night to face Woodridge (10-0).

Elyria (6-4) will be making its third straight postseason appearance, yet just its fourth overall and sports a 1-3 playoff record. It will be an interesting dynamic as Olentangy (9-1) is coached by former Elyria High coach Mark Solis.

Columbia (10-0) is making its fourth straight postseason appearance and seventh overall. It will be just the Raiders’ third home playoff game and they will be looking to improve upon their 1-6 postseason record against Smithville (7-3).

“It hasn’t gone too well for us and we’re trying to put a dent in this thing,” Raiders coach Jason Ward said. “We’re super excited to be back at home. Going on the road last year was no picnic. So this gives our fans one more opportunity to make it special.

“We’ve tried to practice like we’re going to play 15 games all year long. We made it an emphasis to play more physical and we’ve tried to practice at that level. Something’s got to change if we’re going to have that postseason success.”

Division I
Games at 7 p.m. on Saturday
Region 1
No. 16 Cleveland Heights (4-5) at No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward (9-1); No. 15 Berea-Midpark (6-4) at No. 2 Stow-Munroe Falls (10-0); No. 14 Elyria (6-4) at No. 3 Lewis Center Olentangy (9-1); No. 13 Toledo Start (9-1) at No. 4 Westerville Central (9-1); No. 12 Austintown-Fitch (7-3) at No. 5 Euclid (8-2); No. 11 Canton McKinley (7-3) at No. 6 Toledo Whitmer (8-2); No. 10 Powell Olentangy Liberty (7-3) at No. 7 Solon (8-2); No. 9 Canton GlenOak (7-3) at No. 8 Mentor (7-3).
Region 2
No. 16 Dublin Coffman (7-3) at No. 1 Cincinnati Colerain (9-1); No. 15 Grove City Central Crossing (7-3) at No. 2 Hilliard Davidson (9-1); No. 14 Reynoldsburg (7-3) at No. 3 Huber Heights Wayne (10-0); No. 13 Hilliard Darby (8-2) at No. 4 Lancaster (8-2); No. 12 Fairfield (8-2) at No. 5 Cincinnati Elder (7-3); No. 11 Springboro (8-2) at No. 6 Mason (8-2); No. 10 Upper Arlington (7-3) at No. 7 Pickerington Central (8-2); No. 9 Cincinnati St. Xavier (6-4) at No. 8 Gahanna Lincoln (7-3).

Division II
Games at 7:30 p.m. on Friday
Region 3
No. 8 Macedonia Nordonia (7-3) at No. 1 Aurora (9-1); No. 7 Warren G. Harding (7-3) at No. 2 Madison (9-1); No. 6 Chardon (8-2) at No. 3 Mayfield (9-1); No. 5 Hudson (8-2) at No. 4 Copley (9-1).
Region 4
No. 8 Olmsted Falls (6-4) at No. 1 Midview (10-0); No. 7 North Ridgeville (7-3) at No. 2 Perrysburg (10-0); No. 6 Medina Highland (6-4) at No. 3 Avon (9-1); No. 5 Holland Springfield (9-1) at No. 4 Cleveland Glenville (9-1).
Region 5
No. 8 Mansfield Senior (8-2) at No. 1 Massillon Perry (8-2); No. 7 Wooster (8-2) at No. 2 Pataskala Licking Heights (9-1); No. 6 Uniontown Lake (6-4) at No. 3 Worthington Kilbourne (9-1); No. 5 Dresden Tri-Valley (9-1) at No. 4 Boardman (6-4).
Region 6
No. 8 Vandalia Butler (7-3) at No. 1 Cincinnati La Salle (8-2); No. 7 Ashville Teays Valley (8-2) at No. 2 Kings Mills Kings (9-1); No. 6 Cincinnati Glen Este (8-2) at No. 3 Cincinnati Turpin (9-1); No. 5 Lima Senior (8-2) at No. 4 Miamisburg (9-1).

Division III
Games at 7:30 p.m. on Friday
Region 7
No. 8 New Philadelphia (8-2) at No. 1 Akron Archbishop Hoban (9-1); No. 7 Canfield (8-2) at No. 2 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (9-1); No. 6 Chesterland West Geauga (9-1) at No. 3 Medina Buckeye (10-0); No. 5 Louisville (9-1) at No. 4 Poland Seminary (9-1).
Region 8
No. 8 Bowling Green (8-2) at No. 1 Cleveland Benedictine (10-0); No. 7 Rocky River (8-2) at No. 2 Toledo Central Catholic (8-2); No. 6 Sandusky Perkins (8-2) at No. 3 Clyde (9-1); No. 5 Bay Village Bay (9-1) at No. 4 Ashland (9-1).
Region 9
No. 8 Columbus Bishop Watterson (5-4) at No. 1 Columbus Hamilton Township (8-2); No. 7 Chillicothe (7-3) at No. 2 Columbus St. Francis DeSales (9-1); No. 6 Columbus Beechcroft (7-2) at No. 3 Zanesville (9-1); No. 5 Bexley (8-2) at No. 4 Jackson (9-1).
Region 10
No. 8 Dayton Belmont (7-2) at No. 1 Wapakoneta (10-0); No. 7 Piqua (6-4) at No. 2 Tipp City Tippecanoe (9-1); No. 6 Celina (7-3) at No. 3 Trotwood-Madison (7-3); No. 5 New Richmond (7-3) at No. 4 Cincinnati Mt. Healthy (7-3).

Division IV
Games at 7 p.m. on Saturday
Region 11
No. 8 Firelands (8-2) at No. 1 Peninsula Woodridge (10-0); No. 7 Parma Heights Holy Name (7-3) at No. 2 Perry (8-1); No. 6 Cortland Lakeview (7-3) at No. 3 Mantua Crestwood (8-2); No. 5 Youngstown Ursuline (5-5) at No. 4 Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (7-3).
Region 12
No. 8 Port Clinton (7-3) at No. 1 Columbus Bishop Hartley (6-3); No. 7 Bellevue (8-2) at No. 2 Wauseon (9-1); No. 6 Springfield Kenton Ridge (7-3) at No. 3 Plain City Jonathan Alder (9-1); No. 5 Ottawa-Glandforf (7-3) at No. 4 Lewiston Indian Lake (8-2).
Region 13
No. 8 Wintersville Indian Creek (7-3) at No. 1 Steubenville (9-0); No. 7 Byesville Meadowbrook (9-1) at No. 2 Johnstown-Monroe (10-0); No. 6 Newark Licking Valley (6-4) at No. 3 St. Clairsville (8-1); No. 5 Salem (9-1) at No. 4 Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (9-1).
Region 14
No. 8 Hamilton Badin (7-3) at No. 1 Middletown Bishop Fenwick (10-0); No. 7 Cincinnati Wyoming (8-2) at No. 2 Cincinnati Indian Hill (10-0); No. 6 Cincinnati Taft (7-2) at No. 3 Clarksville Clinton-Massie (9-1); No. 5 Reading (9-1) at No. 4 Kettering Archbishop Alter (9-1).

Division V
Games at 7:30 p.m. on Friday
Region 15
No. 8 Burton Berkshire (6-4) at No. 1 Columbiana Crestview (8-2); No. 7 East Palestine (7-3) at No. 2 Magnolia Sandy Valley (9-1); No. 6 Gates Mills Hawken (8-2) at No. 3 Canton Central Catholic (7-3); No. 5 Leavittsburg LaBrae (8-2) at No. 4 Orwell Grand Valley (7-2).
Region 16
No. 8 Galion (7-2) at No. 1 Milan Edison (9-1); No. 7 Rossford (8-2) at No. 2 Creston Norwayne (9-1); No. 6 Doylestown Chippewa (8-2) at No. 3 Millbury Lake (10-0); No. 5 Apple Creek Waynedale (7-3) at No. 4 Swanton (9-1).
Region 17
No. 8 Ironton (6-4) at No. 1 Wheelersburg (10-0); No. 7 Bidwell River Valley (7-3) at No. 2 Chillicothe Zane Trace (10-0); No. 6 Ironton Rock Hill (6-3) at No. 3 Albany Alexander (9-1); No. 5 Cadiz Harrison Central (8-2) at No. 4 West Lafayette Ridgewood (9-1).
Region 18
No. 8 Carlisle (6-4) at No. 1 Brookville (10-0); No. 7 Richwood North Union (5-5) at No. 2 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (9-1); No. 6 Bethel-Tate (6-3) at No. 3 Coldwater (10-0); No. 5 Jamestown Greeneview (7-3) at No. 4 West Milton Milton-Union (6-4).

Division VI
Games at 7 p.m. on Saturday
Region 19
No. 8 Berlin Center Western Reserve (8-2) at No. 1 Kirtland (9-1); No. 7 Smithville (7-3) at No. 2 Columbia (10-0); No. 6 Cuyahoga Heights (8-2) at No. 3 Columbiana (9-1); No. 5 Brookfield (9-1) at No. 4 Lisbon David Anderson (9-1).
Region 20
No. 8 Delta (6-4) at No. 1 Bucyrus Wynford (9-1); No. 7 Attica Seneca East (8-2) at No. 2 Defiance Tinora (8-1); No. 6 Defiance Ayersville (8-2) at No. 3 North Robinson Colonel Crawford (9-1); No. 5 Van Buren (7-3) at No. 4 Gibsonburg (10-0).
Region 21
No. 8 Fredericktown (8-2) at No. 1 Beverly Fort Frye (10-0); No. 7 Chesapeake (8-2) at No. 2 Lucasville Valley (8-1); No. 6 Hannibal River (9-1) at No. 3 Grandview Heights (9-1); No. 5 Newark Catholic (8-2) at No. 4 Bainbridge Paint Valley (9-1).
Region 22
No. 8 Casstown Miami East (8-2) at No. 1 Maria Stein Marion Local (9-1); No. 7 Williamsburg (8-2) at No. 2 Mechanicsburg (10-0); No. 6 Spencerville (9-1) at No. 3 Delphos Jefferson (9-1); No. 5 West Liberty-Salem (8-2) at No. 4 Cincinnati Country Day (9-1).

Division VII
Games at 7:30 p.m. on Friday
Region 23
No. 8 Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic (6-4) at No. 1 Warren John F. Kennedy (9-1); No. 7 North Jackson Jackson-Milton (7-3) at No. 2 Mogadore (9-1); No. 6 Monroeville (6-4) at No. 3 Norwalk St. Paul (9-1); No. 5 Vienna Mathews (6-2) at No. 4 Toronto (9-1).
Region 24
No. 8 Convoy Crestview (4-6) at No. 1 McComb (9-1); No. 7 Tiffin Calvert (5-5) at No. 2 Hicksville (8-2); No. 6 West Unity Hilltop (6-4) at No. 3 Lucas (8-1); No. 5 Arlington (5-5) at No. 4 Leipsic (5-5).
Region 25
No. 8 Crown City South Gallia (6-4) at No. 1 Danville (10-0); No. 7 Portsmouth Sciotoville Community (6-4) at No. 2 Caldwell (9-1); No. 6 Shadyside (4-6) at No. 3 Glouster Trimble (8-2); No. 5 Belpre (8-2) at No. 4 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (8-2).
Region 26
No. 8 Fort Loramie (6-4) at No. 1 Minster (8-2); No. 7 Sidney Lehman Catholic (6-4) at No. 2 Covington (8-2); No. 6 Cincinnati Miami Valley Christian Academy (8-1) at No. 3 Fort Recovery (8-2); No. 5 Ada (6-4) at No. 4 DeGraff Riverside (9-1).

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