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. The Crusaders will host No. 16 Sycamore (1-9) at Mount St. Joseph University.

Lakota West (9-1), a Greater Miami Conference co-champion with Princeton (8-2), is the No. 2 seed. Winton Woods (9-1) is the No. 3 seed.

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

Elder (5-5) is the No. 7 seed, while Lakota East (7-3) will host West Clermont (7-3) in the Nos. 8 and 9 brackets.

Mason (5-5) is No. 10. Milford (4-6) 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. The Raptors posted their first 10-0 record since 2009. It is the fifth time in program history that Anderson has gone undefeated in the regular season.

La Salle (8-2) is No. 2, while Xenia (9-1) is No. 3. Badin (8-2), the winner of the Greater Catholic League Co-Ed championship, is the No. 4 seed.

Mount Healthy (8-2) is No. 5, Harrison (8-2) is No. 6 and Kings (8-2) is No. 7.

Withrow (5-5) is No. 10 and Aiken (6-3) No. 12. Edgewood (3-7) is No. 16.

In Division III, Region 12, McNicholas (8-2) is projected to be No. 6, while Batavia (8-2) will be No. 7.

Wilmington (6-4) is No. 10, while Ross (4-6) is No. 13. Franklin (4-6) is No. 15 and Talawanda (3-7) is No. 16.

In Division IV, Region 16, Clinton-Massie (8-2) is the No. 1 seed. 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) earned the No. 6 seed with a win over Indian Hill on Friday night. The Braves (7-3) are No. 9.

New Richmond (5-5), Shroder (7-3) and Roger Bacon (6-4) also participate. New Richmond and Shroder are ranked No. 14 or 15. Shroder would earn points if Dayton Christian upsets Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy on Saturday afternoon, Eitel said.

New Richmond will likely remain at No. 14 and Shroder No. 15 if Friday night’s results hold true.

In Division V, Region 20, Williamsburg (9-1) will host a first-round matchup against No. 6 seed.

Madeira (5-5) also clinched a playoff spot at No. 11. Middletown (4-6) is No. 14.

In Division VI, Region 24, Cincinnati Country Day (9-1), which earned its fourth straight Miami Valley Conference Gray division title, is ranked No. 2. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (8-2) is No. 5 .

Miami Valley Christian Academy (4-6) and Purcell Marian (5-5) have qualified for the playoffs. Hertenkamp (4-6) is also in.

In Division VII, Cincinnati College Prep (6-2) can clinch the No. 3 seed with a win over Dayton Christian Saturday afternoon.

Lockland (2-7) 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

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