Ohio High School Athletic Association Sets Regional Quarterfinal Matchups
High school football teams across Richland County prepare for Week 12 postseason action following the opening round of the playoffs.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has officially finalized the regional quarterfinal playoff football matchups following the conclusion of the first-round games. Four Richland County teams have advanced and will be in action during Week 12 of the high school football season as the quest for state titles continues.
In Division III, Region 10, the No. 2 seed Ontario Warriors enter the matchup with a 9-1 record and will host the No. 7 seed Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes. Tiffin Columbian advanced to this stage after defeating No. 10 Midview by a score of 35-12. The two teams previously met in Week 3, a wild contest that saw Ontario overcome an early deficit to secure a 49-28 victory. The winner of the upcoming quarterfinal will advance to face either No. 3 Cloverleaf or No. 11 Maumee.
The Division IV Region 14 bracket features two Richland County squads playing at home. The No. 2 seed Shelby Whippets bring a perfect 10-0 record into their matchup against No. 7 Firelands, which advanced by defeating No. 10 Rossford 34-30. This will mark only the second all-time meeting between Shelby and Firelands, with their previous encounter coming during the modified 2020 playoffs.
Also in Region 14, the No. 4 seed Clear Fork Colts hold an 8-2 record and will host No. 5 Otsego. The Knights booked their ticket to the quarterfinals following a dominant 63-27 victory over No. 12 Van Wert. Because Clear Fork and Otsego have never played each other before, this regional quarterfinal will be a first-time meeting for the two programs.
The winner of the Clear Fork and Otsego matchup will move on to play the victor between No. 1 Ottawa Glandorf and No. 9 Medina Buckeye. Medina Buckeye secured its spot in the next round by defeating No. 8 Upper Sandusky with a score of 28-18.
In Division VII Region 27, the No. 10 seed Lucas Cubs advanced after securing a defensive 14-0 shutout win over No. 7 Beaver Eastern. The Cubs will now hit the road to face No. 2 Danville in a quarterfinal showdown between familiar opponents. Danville holds a 31-8-2 lead in the historic 41-game series, having last defeated Lucas 26-14 during Week 3 of last season.
Additional area teams outside of Richland County are also preparing for their upcoming regional quarterfinal matchups. No. 5 Mineral Ridge is scheduled to travel to face No. 4 Hillsdale, while No. 8 Fredericktown will hit the road to play No. 1 Hannibal River in the postseason bracket.