High school football in Columbus, Ohio, is buzzing with excitement as the 2024 season hurtles toward its playoff phase. The regular season wrapped up on October 26, and the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced the playoff qualifiers and first-round pairings on October 27.
The playoffs kicked off on November 1, with the top eight seeds in each region hosting the first-round games. This season, 448 schools qualified for the postseason, marking the third consecutive year that the top 16 schools in each region made the cut.
Central Ohio has seen its fair share of thrilling matchups. In Week 5, fans witnessed an electrifying clash between undefeated teams Columbus Academy and St. Charles, highlighting the competitive spirit of the region. Other standout teams include Bishop Watterson, Walnut Ridge, and Grove City, all of whom boasted 4-0 records as of Week 5.
The divisional breakdowns for the 2024 season have been finalized, with the largest 70 schools in Division I and the remaining schools divided into Divisions II through VII. Each division has approximately 106 schools, with competitive balance data factoring into the enrollment counts.
Key matchups in the first round of the playoffs include several Central Ohio teams. For instance, in Division II Region 5, Willoughby South will face off against undefeated Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit, while Akron Firestone will battle Akron Archbishop Hoban. In Division III Region 9, Youngstown Chaney will take on Youngstown Ursuline, and in Division IV Region 14, Columbus Africentric Early College will face Zanesville West Muskingum.
Spectrum News 1, the official television partner of the OHSAA, has been broadcasting several key games each week, bringing live action to fans across the Northeast, Central, and Southwest regions of Ohio. Recent televised matchups have included Cleveland Glenville vs. Upper Arlington and Medina vs. Lewis Center Olentangy.
As the playoffs progress, the excitement is palpable. The second-round games will be played on November 8, with the state semifinals set for November 29 and the state championships scheduled from December 5-7 in Canton. With so many talented teams and players, this season promises to be one for the books.
In other news, Olentangy Schools is set to welcome John Sansbury as the new head coach, replacing Steve Hale who has led the program at Olentangy Liberty since 2003. Additionally, Grant Coulson from the area received a $5,000 check from CW Columbus for his outstanding performance both on and off the field.
With the playoffs underway, fans are eagerly anticipating the next round of thrilling games. Whether you're cheering from the stands or watching on Spectrum News 1, high school football in Columbus, Ohio, is an event you won't want to miss.
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