YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The excitement is building as 27 local high school football teams have officially qualified for the 2024 OHSAA playoffs. Football fans in the area have a lot to look forward to, particularly with 16 local teams earning the opportunity to host first-round playoff games right at home.
Among the standout schools, Ursuline, South Range, and Western Reserve will enter the playoffs with the prestigious title of Number One seed in their respective divisions. This means they will not only host the first-round playoff game but also have the chance to host the first two rounds, a significant advantage in the tournament.
Here’s a quick look at some of the key matchups in the playoffs:
In Division II:
– #13 Mayfield (5-5) will take on #4 Austintown Fitch (7-3).
– #12 John Hay (5-5) faces #5 Warren Harding (7-3).
– #9 Hudson (5-5) competes against #8 Boardman (6-4).
In Division III:
– #16 Chaney (3-6) will challenge #1 Ursuline (9-1).
Moving to Division IV:
– #13 Hubbard (5-5) battles #4 West Branch (10-0).
– #10 Norton (7-3) faces #7 Struthers (8-2).
– #14 Cardinal Mooney (3-7) meets #3 Streetsboro (10-0).
In Division V:
– #16 Fairless (4-6) goes against #1 South Range (10-0).
– #14 Canton CC (5-5) plays #3 Poland (8-2).
– #9 Edison (7-3) matches up with #8 Girard (6-4).
In Division VI:
– #15 Black River (4-6) battles #2 Springfield (8-2).
– #12 Mogadore (5-5) takes on #5 United (9-1).
Lastly, in Division VII:
– #16 Crestline (5-5) faces off against #1 Western Reserve (9-1).
– #12 East Palestine (6-4) competes with #5 Warren JFK (8-2).
As the playoffs kick off, local teams are gearing up for intense competition and hoping to make deep runs in the postseason. Fans are encouraged to support their teams as high school football enters one of its most exciting phases of the year.
