Ohio High School Football Playoffs: State Championship Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

The state championship games of the OHSAA football playoffs are set for Dec. 4-6, see matchups and predictions

Avon celebrates their win over Cincinnati Anderson in their Div. II state championship game at Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Thursday December 6, 2024. / Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It all comes down to this coming weekend at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton for the Ohio high school football, as each of the seven divisions has been whittled down to the final two teams.

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

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 were hosted by the higher seeded team instead of just the first two rounds. 

With the top four teams earning a bye, the first-round games set up as follows:

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 hosted the winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9, the No. 2 seed hosted the winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10, the No. 3 seed will hosted the winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11, and the No. 4 seed will hosted 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 were played on Friday nights.

The playoffs began on Oct. 31, the second round was on Nov. 7, the regional semifinals were held on Nov. 14, the regional finals took place on Nov. 21 and the state semifinals happened on Nov. 28.

The state championship games will once again be at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton from Dec. 4-6, with the Division I state championship game on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

OHSAA Football State Championship Game Schedule

• Division II: Thursday, December 4 at 7 p.m.
• Division IV: Friday, December 5 at 10:30 a.m.
• Division III: Friday, December 5 at 3 p.m.
• Division I: Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m.
• Division VII: Saturday, December 6 at 10:30 a.m.
• Division VI: Saturday, December 6 at 3 p.m.
• Division V: Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m.

OHSAA Football Playoffs - State Championship Matchups and Predictions

Division I

Cincinnati St. Xavier (11-2) vs. Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (14-0), Friday, December 5, 7:30 p.m.

Prediction: OLENTANGY ORANGE

Division II

Avon (13-1) vs. Cincinnati Anderson, Thursday, December 4, 7 p.m.

Prediction: AVON

Division III

Toledo Central Catholic (11-4) vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson (13-0), Friday, December 5, 3 p.m.

Prediction: BISHOP WATTERSON

Division IV

Cleveland Glenville (11-3) vs. Shelby (14-0), Friday, December 5, 10:30 a.m.

Prediction: GLENVILLE

Division V

Wheelersburg (14-0) vs. Liberty Center (14-0), Saturday, December 6, 7:30 p.m.

Prediction: LIBERTY CENTER

Division VI

Kirtland (14-0) vs. Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (13-1), Saturday, December 6, 10:30 a.m.

Prediction: KIRTLAND

Division VII

St. Henry (13-1) vs. Jeromesville Hillsdale (13-0), Saturday, December 6, 10:30 a.m.

Prediction: ST. HENRY

Read More About the OHSAA Football Playoffs

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division I state semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division II state semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division III state semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division IV state semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division V state semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division VI state semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

Ohio High School Football Playoffs: Division VII state semifinal Matchups, Predictions, Brackets

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