Latest projections for the Ohio high school playoffs at the end of the regular season

CINCINNATI – The picture of Ohio high school football’s postseason began coming into focus late Friday night across seven divisions in Greater Cincinnati.

Computer points analyst Joe Eitel, who helps the Ohio High School Athletic Association with weekly football computer points ratings during the season, updated the latest playoff projections Friday evening. The regular competition ends on Saturday.

Eitel’s predictions are considered unofficial until the OHSAA likely announces the playoff qualifiers Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

The OHSAA said 448 schools – the top 16 in each region – will qualify for the playoffs. The Ohio high school football playoffs begin Nov. 1.

In Division I, Region 4, Moeller (9-1) is the unofficial No. 1 seed.

Lakota West (9-1) and Winton Woods (9-1) are possibilities at No. 2 or 3. Lakota West shutout Mason on Friday night and captured a share of the Greater Miami title with Princeton (8-2) on Friday night Conference.

Princeton is projected to be No. 4, while Hamilton (8-2) is No. 5. St. Xavier (7-3) is No. 6.

Lakota East (7-3), Elder (7-3) and West Clermont (7-3) are ranked Nos. 7-9.

Mason (5-5) is No. 10. Milford is No. 11, while Oak Hills (4-6) is No. 12. Fairfield (2-8) is No. 13.

Little Miami (1-9), Walnut Hills (1-9) and Sycamore (1-9) are Nos. 14-16.

In Division II, Region 8, Anderson (10-0) is the No. 1 seed. La Salle (8-2) is No. 2, while Xenia (9-1) is No. 3. Badin (8-2) is fourth.

Several seeds are still being determined, including Mount Healthy, Harrison and Kings.

Withrow is No. 10 and Aiken No. 12.

In Division III, Region 12

McNicholas (8-2) is projected at No. 5 or 6. Batavia is No. 7 or 8. Ross (4-6) could be anywhere from No. 12 to No. 15. Wilmington could be No. 10 or 11 or as low as 16th.

In Division IV, Region 16, Clinton-Massie (8-2) is No. 1. Wyoming (10-0) is No. 2.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (9-1) is No. 4, while Taft (8-2) is No. 5. Taylor (8-2) could be No. 6 or 7. Indian Hill (7-3) is No. 8 or 9.

New Richmond, Shroder and Roger Bacon are also participating.

In Division V, Region 20, Williamsburg (9-1) will likely host a first-round match. Madeira (5-5) also clinched a play-off spot.

In Division VI, Region 24, Cincinnati Country Day (9-1) is No. 2. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (8-2) is No. 5.

Miami Valley Christian Academy (4-6) and Purcell Marian have qualified for the playoffs. Hertenkamp (4-6) is also in.

In Division VII, Cincinnati College Prep can be ranked No. 2 through 5. The Lions will play host to Dayton Christian on Saturday afternoon.

Lockland is projected to be No. 16.

All playoff rounds leading up to the state finals will be held on Friday for all seven divisions. The top eight seeds in each of the regions will host first-round matches.

There are 707 schools in the football computer ratings for 11 players. The 72 largest schools are in Division I, while the remaining schools are evenly divided into Divisions II through VII (approximately 106 schools in each division).

The regional semi-finals, regional finals and provincial semi-finals will be held at neutral locations.

The state finals are Dec. 5-7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. The schedule:

Thursday, December 5 – Division II at 7:00 PM

Friday, December 6 – Division VII at 10:30 am

Friday, December 6 – Division III at 3:00 PM

Friday, December 6 – Division I at 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 7 – Division VI at 10:30 am

Saturday, December 7 – Division V at 3 p.m

Saturday, December 7 – Division IV at 7:30 PM

TO REGISTER: Subscribe to our high school sports newsletter