Ohio playoff pairings set

Updated 10/25…

The waiting is over. Ohio’s playoff brackets are official, and the road to Canton begins Friday night.

The OHSAA released its postseason pairings Sunday, setting the stage for a first round that includes La Salle at Talawanda, Withrow at Badin and a New Richmond–Wilmington rematch just one week after their regular-season finale.

For Princeton, Anderson, Harrison, McNicholas and several other area contenders, the postseason begins with a week to rest and prepare. The top four seeds in each region receive first-round byes before hosting regional quarterfinals Nov. 6.

First-round games are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m., unless otherwise announced. Higher seeds host through the regional semifinals before the tournament moves to neutral sites. The season culminates Dec. 3-5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

DIVISION I, REGION 4

Princeton’s perfect regular season earned the Vikings the top seed. Elder, Lakota West and Moeller complete the bye group, while four more area teams get to open the postseason at home.

The bracket creates some intriguing possibilities for the second round. Princeton awaits Lebanon or Middletown, while Elder gets Springboro or Little Miami. Lakota West will face St. Xavier or Fairfield, and Moeller draws Winton Woods or Lakota East.

First-round byes: No. 1 Princeton, No. 2 Elder, No. 3 Lakota West, No. 4 Moeller.

No. 12 Lakota East at No. 5 Winton Woods
No. 11 Fairfield at No. 6 St. Xavier
No. 10 Little Miami at No. 7 Springboro
No. 9 Middletown at No. 8 Lebanon

DIVISION II, REGION 8

Anderson and Harrison occupy the top two spots after championship regular seasons. The Raptors finished unbeaten in ECC play, while the Wildcats claimed the final SWOC crown.

Two local first-round showdowns highlight the bracket. Talawanda welcomes La Salle, with the winner advancing to Harrison. Badin hosts Withrow, which closed its regular season Saturday with a 42-0 victory over Taft. That winner heads to Anderson.

First-round byes: No. 1 Anderson, No. 2 Harrison, No. 3 Trotwood-Madison, No. 4 Lima Senior.

No. 12 Vandalia Butler at No. 5 Troy
No. 11 Edgewood at No. 6 Columbus West
No. 10 La Salle at No. 7 Talawanda
No. 9 Withrow at No. 8 Badin

DIVISION III, REGION 12

McNicholas enters the postseason riding a seven-game winning streak and an outright GCL Co-ed championship. The third-seeded Rockets await the winner of Alter at Indian Hill, creating the possibility of another conference opponent or a matchup with the CHL co-champion Braves.

Hughes hosts Goshen, while Northwest and Monroe begin their runs on the road.

First-round byes: No. 1 Bellbrook, No. 2 Tippecanoe, No. 3 McNicholas, No. 4 Chillicothe.

No. 12 Monroe at No. 5 Miami Trace
No. 11 Alter at No. 6 Indian Hill
No. 10 Goshen at No. 7 Hughes
No. 9 Northwest at No. 8 Unioto

DIVISION IV, REGION 16

Wyoming retained the top seed despite its Week 10 loss to Deer Park. CHCA and unbeaten North College Hill also earned byes.

New Richmond gets an immediate opportunity to respond to Friday’s 21-7 loss at Wilmington. The rematch sends the winner to CHCA. Clinton-Massie secured the final berth and visits Urbana, with North College Hill waiting next.

First-round byes: No. 1 Wyoming, No. 2 London, No. 3 CHCA, No. 4 North College Hill.

No. 12 Clinton-Massie at No. 5 Urbana
No. 11 New Richmond at No. 6 Wilmington
No. 10 Dunbar at No. 7 Valley View
No. 9 Kenton Ridge at No. 8 Oakwood

DIVISION V, REGION 20

Williamsburg and Waynesville earned extra preparation time, while Summit Country Day and Fenwick open at home.

Waynesville awaits Summit or Preble Shawnee. Williamsburg will host the Carlisle–Greenon winner.

First-round byes: No. 1 Graham, No. 2 Williamsburg, No. 3 Miami East, No. 4 Waynesville.

No. 12 Preble Shawnee at No. 5 Summit Country Day
No. 11 Greeneview at No. 6 Fenwick
No. 10 Greenon at No. 7 Carlisle
No. 9 Dayton Christian at No. 8 Arcanum

DIVISION VI, REGION 24

Deer Park follows its historic CHL championship with the No. 2 seed. Cincinnati College Prep also receives a bye, while St. Bernard-Elmwood Place travels to Mechanicsburg.

Versailles claimed the final qualifying spot after the forfeit adjustment that pushed Miami Valley Christian Academy outside the field.

First-round byes: No. 1 Tri-Village, No. 2 Deer Park, No. 3 Zane Trace, No. 4 Cincinnati College Prep.