(2-3-25) Sam gives his thoughts as we get ready to start OHSAA tournament action… but first we have regular season games to play.

D I

Pickerington Central returns to the top of the D I mountain as their win streak hits 10. With that said, any of the top six teams in the ranking have a strong argument to be the favorite to win the state championship this year. The gauntlet that is southwest Ohio, with Mount Notre Dame, Springboro, Fairmont, and Mason, is going to be brutal though.

 

D II

Before the draw, there was a real fear that Anthony Wayne and Winton Woods could both end up in the Princeton High School regional. Thankfully, that was avoided and the latest the two best teams in D II can meet is in the state semifinals. Now, let’s hope the OHSAA does the right thing and keeps them away from each other until the state championship.

 

D III

Forgive me for my hometown viewpoint on this division, but I really like Celina’s tournament draw. The Bulldogs should have no problem against Wapakoneta in the opening round. Their next two opponents should be Elida, a team they took to overtime on the road, and Lima Senior, who is on par with Elida. Winning both those contests in Columbus Grove will not be easy, but the Bulldogs have a real path to the District Championship.

 

D IV

While Bellevue remains the heavy favorite to win D IV, there is a lot of shuffling to see who their greatest threat is. Warrensville Heights and Lutheran East will be on a collision course to meet in the northeast district. However, Laurel has hit their stride with wins over Unioto, Lutheran East, and Gilmour Academy in the past week and a half. Of course, the undefeated Fairfield Union Falcons cannot be ignored. 

 

D V

The good news is that Fairland and Portsmouth were drawn into separate regionals, meaning the earliest they can meet is the state semifinals. The bad news for Fairland is that they were drawn into the same regional as Waynesville. Then there is Ottawa-Glandorf, who will avoid any real threat until they reach the state semifinals. 

 

D VI

Columbus Grove retains their top spot in D VI by extending the winning streak to 8 games. The Bulldogs won’t be able to remain on cruise control as the Bluffton regional is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the state. Columbus Grove will likely get Convoy Crestview in the district final. If they get by the Knights, Columbus Grove could face 16-win Margaretta in the regional semis, followed by Patrick Henry in the regional final. The only saving grace is that the winner of the brutal Wapakoneta district, featuring St. Henry, Minster, and Marion Local, heads south.

 

D VII

Waterford showed they may be the team to beat in D VII with their 35-30 win over Fort Frye this past week. This win is responsible for one of only two changes in the top 10 with the other being the addition of Russia. With five of the six districts represented in the top 10 and the sixth district represented at 11th, there are no God level districts to speak of. That said, the Sidney district with Mississinawa Valley, Southeastern Local, and Russia should create some epic contests.