Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division V Regional Semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets - Nov. 10, 2025

The regional semifinals of the OHSAA football playoffs are set for Nov. 14, see matchups and predictions for Division V

Garfield defenive lineman John Timmons flexes after sacking the Crestview quarterback during the game against Crestview High School Friday, October 17, 2025 in Garrettsville, OH. / Nicholas McLaughlin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The first two rounds of the Ohio high school football playoffs are in the books, and now the top four teams in each region compete in the regional semifinals on Friday, Nov. 14.

With that in mind, we at High School on SI Ohio have decided to post the matchups for each division in each round, while also making predictions for each and every game.

Ohio High School Football Playoffs 2025: Division V First Round Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

Ohio High School Football Playoffs 2025: Division V Second Round Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

As a reminder, the OHSAA has once again changed the format for the playoffs.

The change that was made by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the postseason this year is a reduction in teams making the playoffs and we posted a story at the midway point of the season as to what the playoffs would look like at that point in Division V.

Starting in 2021, the OHSAA went to a format that saw the top 16 teams in each region qualify for postseason play. But starting in 2025, only 12 will make the playoffs with the top four seeds in each region earning a bye in the first round.

Also, the first three rounds of the postseason will be hosted by the higher seeded team instead of the first two rounds. 

With the top four teams earning a bye, the first-round games will be the following:

No. 12 at No. 5
No. 11 at No. 6
No. 10 at No. 7
No. 9 at No. 8

In round two, the No. 1 seed will host the winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9, the No. 2 seed will host the winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10, the No. 3 seed will host the winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11, and the No. 4 seed will host the winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12. 

As has been the case over the last several years, all playoff games until the state championships will be played on Friday night.

The playoffs began on Oct. 31, and the regional semifinals on Nov. 14, the regional finals on Nov. 21 and the state semifinals on Nov. 28. The regional finals and state semifinals will all be held at neutral sites as determined by the OHSAA.

The state championship games will once again be at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton from Dec. 4-6, with the Division V state championship game on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

NOTE: Defending Division V state champion Ironton was ruled ineligible for the postseason on Friday, Oct. 24 due to recruiting violations, according to the OHSAA. The Tigers would have been the No. 3 seed in Region 19.

OHSAA Football Playoffs - Division V regional Semifinal Matchups and Predictions

Region 17

No. 4 Garrettsville Garfield (9-2) at No. 1 Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (8-2)

No. 3 Poland Seminary (9-2) at No. 2 Girard (11-0)

Region 18

No. 5 Findlay Liberty-Benton (12-0) at No. 1 Liberty Center (11-0)

No. 3 Genoa Area (10-1) at No. 2 Wooster Triway (10-1)

Region 19

No. 4 Barnesville (9-2) at No. 1 Wheelersburg (11-0)

No. 3 Nelsonville-York (11-0) at No. 2 Gahanna Columbus Academy (9-2)

Region 20

No. 8 Richwood North Union (8-4) at No. 5 Carlisle (10-2) 

No. 11 Cincinnati Mariemont (8-4) at No. 2 Lewistown Indian Lake (9-2)

Predictions:

Garfield over Mooney
Girard over Poland Seminary

Liberty Center over Liberty-Benton
Triway over Genoa Area

Wheelersburg over Barnesville
Nelsonville-York over Columbus Academy

Carlisle over North Union
Indian Lake over Mariemont

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