Courtesy of OHSAA.org

For Immediate Release – October 26, 2025

OHSAA Contact – Tim Stried, Director of Media Relations, tstried@ohsaa.org

OHSAA Releases Football First Round Playoff Pairings  

Top four seeds in each region have earned a first-round bye; seeds 5 through 8 will host seeds 9 through 12

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Following the conclusion of the football regular-season Saturday night, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced the final computer ratings, playoff qualifiers and first-round pairings on Sunday afternoon. Unless otherwise noted, all first-round games will be played on Friday, October 31, with kickoffs set for 7 p.m.

With the reduction of playoff qualifiers per region from 16 to 12, the top four seeds in each region will receive a first-round bye. In the first round, the No. 5 seed will host the No. 12 seed, the No. 6 seed will host the No. 11 seed, the No. 7 seed will host the No. 10 seed, and the No. 8 seed will host the No. 9 seed.

The better seeded team will serve as the host through the first three rounds of the playoffs. The regional playoffs will follow bracket format. Rebracketing will occur for the state semifinals.

2025 Playoff Brackets and Information: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Football/Football-2025/2025-OHSAA-Football-Tournament-Coverage

The final complete football report showing all teams in every region is posted at: https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports/Football/2025/20251025Harbin-FINAL.pdf

Regional Quarterfinal (second-round) games will be played on Friday, November 7, while Regional Semifinal (third-round) games will be played on Friday, November 14. Neutral sites will be used beginning in the Regional Finals on Friday, November 21. The state semifinals will be on Friday, November 28, with the state championship games then hosted at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton December 4-6.