(10-21-25) I don’t want to sit here and trash the Harbin ratings: the system used to select and seed the Ohio high school football playoffs. Compared to what many other states use, it’s worlds ahead. But when a formula is limited to wins, losses, and school enrollments, imbalances are inevitable.

So, let’s look at a few teams who are in danger of missing the playoffs, but could make a deep run if they do get in.

Division I – Kettering Fairmont

At 4–5, the Firebirds’ early-season struggles have them sitting on the bubble entering the final week. This is a team that has lived on the edge all year, with seven games decided by one score or less. They travel to Beavercreek this Friday, another team clinging to playoff hopes. If Fairmont wins and gets in, they’ll have as good a chance as anyone to take a region currently favored by Middletown and 5–4 Springfield.

Division II – Uniontown Green

After a 1–5 start, the Bulldogs have caught fire, winning their last three and creeping back toward contention. Four of their five losses have been by a single score. Their turnaround gained real traction after a big win over Louisville in Week 8. Green will need to beat a strong Lake team and get a little help to crack the top 12 in Region 5, but they’ve proven they can hang with anyone.

Division III – Archbishop McNicholas

According to Joe Eitel, the Rockets control their own destiny despite losing their last two. That means they’ll likely need to beat undefeated Badin to lock up a postseason berth. They could still sneak in if other bubble teams falter in Week 10. If the Rockets do make it, they’re a classic dark horse built to spoil someone’s November.

Division IV – Johnstown

There was temptation to talk about Van Wert here, but the Cougars would need a miracle, as even a win over Kenton won’t produce enough points to climb into playoff range. Instead, the Johnnies have surged, winning their last three by a combined score of 178–35. Unlike Van Wert, Johnstown currently sits on the right side of the bubble, and a win over Newark Catholic would all but seal a postseason spot. With the right draw, they could make a deep run in Region 15.

Division V – Versailles

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The ending of the Marion Local–Versailles game will be talked about for years if the Tigers can’t upset St. Henry this week. I won’t mince words: Versailles is probably the best team in Region 20. If they can beat St. Henry and get in, they’ll be the favorite to reach the state semifinals. But St. Henry is arguably the best team in Division VII without a 70-plus-game winning streak. This is a tall task for the Tigers.

Division VI – Patrick Henry

It’s rare to see a seven-win team not locked into the postseason this late in the year, but here we are. The Patriots are strong and they just happen to be in one of the toughest regions in the state. Their only losses came to Liberty Center and Archbold, both elite programs. A win over Evergreen would clinch their place in loaded Region 22. With Hopewell-Loudon, Archbold, Bluffton, and Margaretta all in the mix, Region 22 might be the most entertaining bracket in Ohio.

Division VII – Danville

I almost went with Fort Recovery here. If they get in, they could absolutely make noise. But Region 28’s top-tier powers make that path nearly impossible. Danville, sitting at 4–5, benefits from a region without those super-teams at the top. They’ve played one of the toughest schedules in Division VII outside western Ohio, and they’re built for the postseason. The Blue Devils could surprise a lot of people in eastern Ohio come November.