»» RELATED: That dreaded No. 9 position
That begins with a rematch with Alter on Friday. CJ (8-2) earned a No. 1 seed in the Division III, Region 12 playoffs. The Ohio High School Athletic Association released first-round playoff pairings on Sunday.
Alter, reeling from three straight midseason losses, had to beat CJ to earn the final playoff spot and extend its consecutive postseason streak to 19 years.
»» RELATED: Alter stuns CJ
Also in a loaded D-III, Region 12 field it’s No. 3 Franklin (9-1) hosting No. 6 St. Marys Memorial (8-2) and No. 7 Trotwood-Madison (7-3) at No. 2 Wapakoneta (9-1).
Three Greater Western Ohio Conference teams advanced in D-I, Region 2. Springfield (9-1) earned a No. 1 seed and will host Marysville (6-4). Northmont (6-4) will be at No. 2 seed Toledo Whitmer (9-1). Springboro (9-1) is a No. 5 seed and plays at No. 4 Dublin Jerome (8-2).
»» PHOTOS: Alter at CJ, Week 10 football
Troy and Xenia made the D-II cut. A No. 3 seed, Troy (8-2) will hot Lewis Center Olentangy (5-5) in a D-II, Region 7 opener. Xenia (9-1) will make its first postseason appearance as a No. 4 seed and will host Columbus Walnut Ridge (10-0) in a D-II, Region 4 opener.
The D-VI, Region 23 field is loaded with Midwest Athletic Conference teams. Anna (9-1) is at No. 4 seed Minster (9-1) and Coldwater (8-2) is at No. 3 seed Archbold (9-1). Coldwater and Minster have combined for six state titles and five state runner-ups since 2009. It’ll be Coldwater’s 23rd straight season in the playoffs, a state record.
»» RELATED: Alter playoff streak at stake
Also on Friday, it’s Dayton Christian (8-2) at top-seeded Chillicothe Southeastern (10-0) in D-VI, region 24 and No. 4 seed Covington (8-2) will host Worthington Christian (8-2).
There are six more games that involve area teams on Saturday. The Southwestern Buckeye League has three reps in D-IV, Region 16. Waynesville (9-1) earned a No. 3 seed and will host St. Bernard Roger Bacon (9-1). Valley View (8-2) is at No. 2 seed Clinton-Massie (9-1) and Milton-Union (8-2) is at No. 1 seed and defending state champ Cincinnati Wyoming (10-0).
»» RELATED: Mike & Marc, Weeks 9-10 football
Two more MAC reps made the D-VII, Region 28 field, New Bremen and Marion Local. New Bremen (7-3) is at No. 1 seed New Miami (9-0) and No. 2 seed Marion Local (8-2) will host Mississinawa Valley (7-3). It’ll be the 22nd playoff appearance by Marion Local and 15th consecutive.
Also in D-VII, Region 28, No. 3 seed Fort Loramie (9-1) will host Dola Hardin Northern (8-2).
»» SOCIAL MEDIA: You should like Marc Pendleton on Facebook and Twitter
The football playoffs began in 1972 and last expanded to the present format of seven divisions in 2013. Based on the Harbin system, teams amass computer points throughout the regular season based on wins and wins by a defeated opponent. Matchups are no factor in the formula.
The top eight teams in each region qualify and those top four host Week 11 first-round games. The playoffs shift to neutral sites in Week 12 beginning with the regional semifinals.
»» RELATED: Fairfield, Springfield retain football poll positions
Divisions I, II, III and VI will play on Fridays through the state semifinals and Divisions IV, V and VII on Saturdays. It takes five postseason games to win a state title. All games through the state semifinals are at 7 p.m. State championship weekend will be held at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Dec. 5-7.
The Associated Press will announce the state poll champions on Monday.
»» RELATED: Week 10 state football polls
»» PHOTOS: Troy at Xenia, Week 9 football
About the Author