Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division VII Regional final Matchups, Predictions, Brackets - Nov. 17, 2025

The regional finals of the OHSAA football playoffs are set for Nov. 21, see matchups and predictions for Division VII
Marion Local coach Tim Goodwin talks to players during a first-quarter timeout against Hillsdale in the Division VII state finals, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Canton.
Marion Local coach Tim Goodwin talks to players during a first-quarter timeout against Hillsdale in the Division VII state finals, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Canton. / Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

And just like that, we are down to the final eight teams in each divisions of the Ohio high school football, as the top two teams in each region compete in the regional finals on Friday, Nov. 21.

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 VII First Round Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

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

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division VII Regional Semifinal 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 VII.

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, with 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 VII state championship game on Friday, Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m.

OHSAA Football Playoffs - Division VII Regional final Matchups and Predictions - Nov. 17, 2025

Region 25

No. 1 McDonald (12-0) vs. No. 3 Mogadore (11-1) at Macedonia Nordonia High School Boliantz Stadium

Region 26

No. 3 Leipsic (11-1) vs. No. 4 Columbus Grove (9-3) at Lima Shawnee High School Shawnee Stadium

Region 27

No. 1 Jeromesville Hillsdale (11-1) vs. No. 11 Danville (8-5) at West Lafayette Ridgewood High School Generals Stadium

Region 28

No. 1 Maria Stein Marion Local (12-0) vs. No. 2 St. Henry (11-1) at Wapakoneta High School Mercy Health VFW Post 8445 Field

Predictions:

Mogadore over McDonald
Leipsic over Columbus Grove
Hillsdale over Danville
Marion Local over St. Henry


Download the SBLive App

To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App


Published
Ryan Isley, SBLive Sports
RYAN ISLEY, SBLIVE SPORTS

Ryan Isley is a Regional Editor for SBLive Sports, covering Ohio and Pennsylvania.