It is playoff time in Ohio as the 2025 OHSAA playoffs are upon us. The first leg of the work has been done as twelve teams across each region did enough to get into the postseason. Now the fun begins. Everyone left now has a chance to raise that state championship trophy in a month’s time and every team will be putting out their best efforts in order to make that happen. We are finally here and the fireworks will begin shortly.
This week we have marquee matchups in various regions that will be sure to bring out the best of each and every player and coach. In division I, Mason travels to Fairfield for a GMC re-match. Division II puts Turpin on the road at La Salle. Roger Bacon makes the trip to Wyoming in division IV and Mariemont visits North College Hill in division V action. It’s one and done time. Here are the Best Bets for week 11.
Division I, Region 4
No. 9 Mason at No. 8 Fairfield.
Mason is on a two game wining streak heading into this round one game. The Comets should be coming in with some confidence. Quarterback De’Angelo Birch has been the engine for the comets as he has been a solid rushing threat to account for. Birch finished fourth in the conference with 648 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The Comets would like to control the clock and win a tough grind it out game. Juana Bates II leads the defense with six sacks and Alex Brown finished sixth in tackles with 88.
Freshman Corrius Booker has had a superb season at tailback for Fairfield as he has rushed for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Mason Wheeler is another threat to dominate in the run game with 334 yards. Quarterback Dominic Back has been a general for the Indians offense. Defensively Gabe Ross has been great with 79 tackles.
Fairfield slipped by Mason in the first meeting, Bet on the Comets to return the favor.
Division II, Region 8
No. 12 Turpin at No. 5 La Salle
Turpin finished a respectable fifth in the tough ECC. The Spartans can get it done on all three levels offensively. Luke Mileham has thrown for 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season and has reliable targets in Callan Poland (703 rec yds) and Evan Overholser (687 rec yds). Mileham leads the team in rushing with 612 yards and another 11 scores. Brody Nickerson (111) and Brady Gillespie (92) are two of the top tacklers in the league.
La Salle is tough and battle tested having gone through the rigorous GCL South. The Lancers are undefeated against everyone besides their league foes and just barely lost to region 4 top seed Elder. Avier Carter leads the team as a dual threat quarterback as he has thrown for 1,144 yards and rushed for 662 with a combined 17 touchdowns. David Malone has rushed for 475 yards and defensively Colin Wooldridge and Rodney Portis have made plays all over the field.
La Salle is a threat to make a deep run in region 8. Bet on the Lancers to take care of business at home.
Division IV, Region 16
No. 10 Roger Bacon at No. 7 Wyoming
Roger Bacon finished .500 and have had an up and down season. Bubba Smart has been their leader at quarterback throwing for 1,417 yards and 18 touchdowns. Evan Otto has been his main target in the passing game. Ja’Mere Mitchell has rushed for 995 yards and Max Hoffman has 72 tackles for the defense.
Wyoming ended the regular season on a six game win streak. The Cowboys scored 42 or more points in every one of those games and have been rolling. David Dupee has thrown for 1,797 yards and 22 TD. Brylan Miltonberger has 678 yards receiving and Jackson Hamilton has gotten things done on both sides of the ball. Hamilton has 801 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns and defensively has 78 tackles.
Bet on the Cowboys to roll at home.
Division V, Region 20
No. 11 Mariemont at No. 6 North College Hill
Zachary Maier has thrown for 1,089 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Warriors. The defensive personnel has been impressive all season long. Lincoln Griesmer has been outstanding with 120 tackles on the season. Jack Simpson (15) and Ryan Kreutz (6) have been sack artists this season and Luke Robinson (4 INT) and Carson Quainbao (3 INT) have been ball hawks in the secondary.
Ar’Neil Khar has had a big season with 2,119 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. Cornelius Spiller has rushed for 1,039 yards and seven touchdowns and Jai’Veon Allen is a deep threat as he has 1,026 yards receiving and seven TD. Defensively Anthony Branch has put together a spectacular season with 114 tackles and 15.5 sacks.
An upset is brewing. Bet on Mariemont to pull it off.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game, Lawrenceburg at Franklin County.
