(10-27-24) Ohio State Grad and Celina native Samuel Houseworth takes a in-depth look at the Ohio High School 2024 Football playoffs.

Houseworth’s is well known for his insight into the high school football scene, including the Stateline area.

Samuel Houseworth

Div. II, Region 8

Last season, with a 42-32 win over Xenia, Lima Senior earned their first postseason win since 2015. All the credit in the world to Bill Lawrence who has returned the Spartan program to their former glory. Lima Senior will open the postseason with a winnable contest at Vandalia Butler. However, the winner of that contest will be a sacrificial lamb for Anderson, a team that should roll through Region 8 after their 10-0 campaign.

Favorite: #1 Anderson (10-0)

Contenders: Nobody else

Dark Horse: #6 Harrison (8-2)

Div. III, Region 10

The age of darkness is officially over in Defiance after the Bulldogs posted their third straight winning season. Despite struggles down the stretch, Defiance will be strong favorites when they host Bowling Green in the first round. A potential second round meeting with Benedictine will see the script flipped though. Should Defiance make it through, the road will not get any easier.

Favorite: #1 Toledo Central Catholic (9-1)

Contenders: #3 Benedictine (8-2), #2 Buckeye (9-1)

Dark Horse: #6 Defiance (6-4)

Div. III, Region 12

Another Cinderella run for Celina is likely not in the cards this year. Even with mainstays like Badin and Trotwood-Madison moving up to Division II, Region 12 is as deep as ever. Look for Wapak to make another deep run while St. Marys will go as far as their running game can take them. However, an undefeated London team that has mercy-ruled every opponent so far is the team to beat this year.

Favorite: #4 London (10-0)

Contenders: #2 Wapakoneta (10-0), #1 Tipp City (10-0)

Dark Horse: #8 St. Marys (8-2)

Div. IV, Region 14

Elida is another argument that the playoffs are bloated in Ohio with 64 teams per division making the postseason. O-G though, the Titans match up well with Galion in their first round contest. That is about the extent of the noise the WBL will make in D-IV though.

Favorite: #1 Perkins (9-1)

Contenders: #2 Shelby (10-0)

Dark Horse: Winner of #3 Ontario (9-1) and #6 Clyde (7-3)

Div. V, Region 20

Of all the regions I am reviewing, Region 20 is the most unpredictable. Both SSN teams, Versailles and Bath, could make some noise as both are battle tested. It is possible that after the first round, we witness a barrage of nail biters through the regional championship.

Favorite: #3 Waynesville (7-3)

Contenders: #12 Versailles (5-5), #9 Lima Bath (5-5), #1 Greeneview (10-0), #4 Preble Shawnee (9-1)

Dark Horse: #13 Marion Pleasant (5-5)

Div. VI, Region 22

The good news for Bluffton is that Columbus Grove dropped down to Division VII for the 2024 football season. In fact, that’s great news as the Bulldogs are responsible for the Pirates’ last 4 losses, spanning three seasons. 

Favorite: #2 Bluffton (9-1)

Contenders: #4 Patrick Henry (8-2), #1 Hopwell-Loudon (10-0)

Dark Horses: #7 Huron (6-4), #12 Carey (5-5)

Div. VI, Region 24

There isn’t much to talk about with this region. Coldwater beat Anna in Week 4, 34-18. That will be the preview for the regional championship with a bunch of running clocks before then.

Favorite: #1 Coldwater (9-1)

Contender: #3 Anna (7-3)

Dark Horse: #8 Northeastern (5-5)

Div. VII, Region 26

For being the top seed, Columbus Grove did not get a great draw. Nearly all of the best teams in the region found their way to the top half of the bracket. Not that it matters, the Bulldogs won’t be challenged until they face whoever comes out of Region 28.

Favorite: #1 Columbus Grove (10-0)

Contenders: Nobody else

Dark Horses: #8 Lima Central Catholic (7-3), #3 Gibsonburg (8-2)

Div. VII, Region 28

St. Henry and New Bremen in the first round will be better than at least two other regional championships in Division VII. The four teams from the MAC are only going to lose once they face each other. And in one case, that will be at the hands of Marion Local, who won’t see another MAC team until the regional championship.

Favorite: #1 Marion Local (10-0)

Contenders: #2 Minster (8-2), but not really

Dark Horses: #4 Ansonia (9-1), #11 Fort Loramie (5-5)

Favorites from all regions

Div. I

Region 1: #7 St. Edward

Region 2: #5 Hilliard Davidson

Region 3: #1 Olentangy Liberty

Region 4: #1 Archbishop Moeller {State Favorite}

Div. II

Region 5: #2 Archbishop Hoban

Region 6: #1 Avon

Region 7: #3 Massillon

Region 8: #1 Anderson {State Favorite}

Div. III

Region 9: #1 Ursuline
Region 10: #1 Toledo Central Catholic
Region 11: #1 Bishop Watterson {State Favorite}
Region 12: #4 London

Div. I


Region 13: #2 Perry  {State Favorite}
Region 14: #1 Perkins
Region 15: #2 Indian Valley
Region 16: #1 Clinton-Massie

Div. V


Region 17: #1 South Range
Region 18: #2 Liberty Center
Region 19: #1 Ironton  {State Favorite}
Region 20: #3 Waynesville

Div. VI


Region 21: #1 Kirtland
Region 22: #2 Bluffton
Region 23: #3 Ridgewood
Region 24: #1 Coldwater {State Favorite}

Div. VII


Region 25: #4 Monroeville
Region 26: #1 Columbus Grove
Region 27: #1 Danville
Region 28: #1 Marion Local {State Favorite}