The playoffs have undergone significant format changes in 2025, including a reduction in the number of qualifying teams per region from 16 to 12, with the top four seeds earning a first-round bye. The first three rounds, including the upcoming third round, are hosted by the higher-seeded teams, intensifying the home-field advantage until the state semifinals and finals, which take place at neutral venues. The state semifinals are set for November 28, and the championship games will be held December 4-6 at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Spectators and fans can expect thrilling matchups as teams compete fiercely to secure a place in the regional finals and keep their dreams alive for a state championship. Tickets for all playoff games are available for purchase online starting Mondays at the official OHSAA tickets website.
Pairings shown with regional seed. All games are expected to be 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.
OHSAA football state playoff schedule | third-round games, Friday, Nov. 14
Division I
Region 1
No. 4 Tol. Whitmer (9-2) at No. 1 St. Edward (9-2)
No. 3 Canton McKinley (9-2) at No. 2 Mentor (11-0)
Region 2
No. 5 Springfield (8-4) at No. 1 Middletown (9-2)
No. 6 Huber Heights Wayne (8-4) at No. 2 Troy (9-2)
Region 3
No. 5 Olentangy Liberty (8-4) at No. 1 Olentangy Orange (11-0)
No. 6 Upper Arlington (10-2) at No. 2 Pickerington Central (10-1)
Region 4
No. 4 Cin. Princeton (9-2) at No. 1 Cin. Elder (11-0)
No. 3 Cin. St. Xavier (8-2) vs. No. 2 Cin. Moeller (8-3), at Dayton Welcome Stadium
Division II
Region 5
No. 5 Hudson (10-2) at No. 1 Hoban (9-1)
No. 3 Austintown Fitch (9-1) at No. 2 Walsh Jesuit (9-1)
Region 6
No. 4 North Ridgeville (10-1) at No. 1 Medina Highland (11-0)
No. 3 Avon (10-1) at No. 2 Wadsworth (11-0)
Region 7
No. 4 Canal Winchester (10-1) at No. 1 Big Walnut (10-1)
No. 3 Massillon (8-3) at No. 2 Col. DeSales (9-2)
Region 8
No. 5 Cin. La Salle (9-3) at No. 1 Cin. Anderson (11-0)
No. 7 Harrison (9-3) at No. 3 Trotwood-Madison (7-3)
Division III
Region 9
No. 4 Cleveland VA-SJ (9-1) at No. 1 Canfield (10-1)
No. 6 Akron East (10-2) at No. 2 CVCA (10-0)
Region 10
No. 5 Rocky River (10-2) at No. 1 Medina Buckeye (11-0)
No. 6 Toledo Cent. Cath. (8-4) at No. 2 Wapakoneta (11-0)
Region 11
No. 4 Tri-Valley (9-2) at No. 1 Col. Watterson (10-0)
No. 3 Steubenville (8-2) at No. 2 Licking Valley (11-0)
Region 12
No. 4 Jackson (9-2) at No. 1 London (11-0)
No. 3 Hamilton Badin (10-1) at No. 2 Tippecanoe (11-0)
Division IV
Region 13
No. 4 West Branch (10-1) at No. 1 Lake County Perry (9-2)
No. 3 Mentor Lake Catholic (9-2) at No. 2 Glenville (8-3)
Region 14
No. 4 Lima Bath (9-2) at No. 1 Shelby (11-0)
No. 6 Sandusky Perkins (9-3) at No. 2 Galion (10-1)
Region 15
No. 4 Unioto (11-0) at No. 1 New Lexington (10-1)
No. 3 Plain City Alder (10-1) at No. 2 Indian Valley (10-0)
Region 16
No. 4 Cin. Taft (11-0) at No. 1 Cin. Indian Hill (11-0)
No. 3 Cin. Hills Chr. Acad. (10-1) at No. 2 Valley View (10-1)
Division V
Region 17
No. 4 Garrettsville Garfield (9-2) at No. 1 Young. Mooney (8-2)
No. 3 Poland (9-2) at No. 2 Girard (11-0)
Region 18
No. 5 Liberty-Benton (12-0) at No. 1 Liberty Center (11-0)
No. 3 Genoa Area (10-1) at No. 2 Triway (10-1)
Region 19
No. 4 Barnesville (9-2) at No. 1 Wheelersburg (11-0)
No. 3 Nelsonville-York (11-0) at No. 2 Columbus Academy (9-2)
Region 20
No. 8 North Union (8-4) at No. 5 Carlisle (10-2)
No. 11 Cin. Mariemont (8-4) at No. 2 Indian Lake (9-2)
Division VI
Region 21
No. 5 Smithville (10-2) at No. 1 Kirtland (11-0)
No. 7 Garaway (9-2) at No. 6 Dalton (9-3)
Region 22
No. 9 Carey (8-4) at No. 4 Paulding (11-0)
No. 3 Archbold (9-2) at No. 2 Hopewell-Loudon (10-1)
Region 23
No. 5 Colonel Crawford (11-1) at No. 1 Centerburg (10-1)
at No. 3 West Jefferson (10-1) at No. 2 Fort Frye (9-1)
Region 24
No. 5 Coldwater (8-4) at No. 1 Tri-Village (11-0)
No. 6 Anna (9-3) at No. 2 Springfield Northeastern (10-1)
Division VII
Region 25
at No. 4 Monroeville (9-2) at No. 1 McDonald (11-0)
No. 7 East Canton (10-2) at No. 3 Mogadore (10-1)
Region 26
No. 4 Columbus Grove (8-3) at No. 1 Lima Central Catholic (10-1)
No. 7 Pandora-Gilboa (9-3) at No. 3 Leipsic (10-1)
Region 27
at No. 4 Symmes Valley (9-2) at No. 1 Hillsdale (10-1)
No. 11 Danville (7-5) at No. 2 Waterford (9-2)
Region 28
No. 12 Fort Recovery (7-5) at No. 1 Marion Local (11-0)
No. 11 Cedarville (7-5) at No. 2 St. Henry (10-1)
This third round playoff schedule underlines the excitement and competitive spirit that define Ohio high school football during this season’s postseason, promising an intense display of skill, strategy, and heart from the best teams across the state.