News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Executive Director Doug Ute
For Immediate Release – November 18, 2023
OHSAA Releases Football State Semifinal Pairings
Regional champions meet Friday night for a berth in the state championships
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced the pairings and sites for next Friday night’s football state semifinal games. Last Tuesday, the OHSAA announced how the regions would be paired in the state semifinals, which is based on the geography of the schools involved.
The top team on the bracket is the home team in the state semifinals, which are listed first in the pairings below. A team’s won-lost record, regional seed and state rank do not factor into the state semifinal home/away designation.
STATE SEMIFINALISTS BY SEED
Of the 28 regional champions, 17 were No. 1 seeds in their region. There were also three No. 2 seeds that have advanced to the state semifinals, along with one No. 3 seed, two No. 4 seeds, two No. 5 seeds, one No. 6 seed, one No. 7 seed and one No. 12 seed.
TICKETS
ABOUT NEUTRAL SITES
Neutral sites receive a hosting stipend from the OHSAA and also keep revenue from concessions, parking, 50-50 raffles and program sales. In addition, the OHSAA pays for the officials.
Of note, a team’s regional seed, state rank and overall record do not factor into the decisions on neutral site locations.
Without schools being willing to host games, the OHSAA would not be able to use neutral sites. Many factors go into determining locations for each game, and rarely can a site be found that is exactly halftime between the two schools. Once a potential site is determined, the school must be available and willing to host a game on the requested night.
OHSAA Football State Semifinal Pairings
All games on Friday, November 24, at 7 p.m.
Pairings shown with Associated Press state rank.
Designated home team listed first. Note there are several changes from initial release on Nov. 14.
Division I State Semifinals
Springfield (9-5) vs. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (10-4) at Piqua Alexander Stadium
No. 6 Hilliard Bradley (13-1) vs. No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward (12-1) at Mansfield Arlin Field
Division I State Championship: Friday, December 1, 7:30 p.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Division II
No. 4 Cincinnati Anderson (13-1) vs. No. 1 Massillon Washington (14-0) at Historic Crew Stadium
No. 2 Avon (14-0) vs. No. 3 Akron Archbishop Hoban (12-1) at Parma Byers Field at Robert Boulton Stadium
Division II State Championship: Thursday, November 30, 7 p.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Division III
No. 1 Toledo Central Catholic (14-0) vs. Chardon (11-3) at Elyria Mercy Field at Ely Stadium
Celina (12-2) vs. No. 4 Columbus Bishop Watterson (13-1) at Xenia Doug Adams Stadium
Division III State Championship: Friday, December 1, 3 p.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Division IV
No. 5 Cleveland Glenville (11-2) vs. No. 4 Canton South (14-0) at Wadsworth Art Wright Stadium (change from original announcement)
No. 2 Steubenville (13-1) vs. Kettering Archbishop Alter (11-3) at Westerville Central High School
Division IV State Championship: Saturday, December 2, 7:30 p.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Division V
No. 1 Perry (14-0) vs. No. 7 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (12-1) at Shelby WAC Stadium
No. 6 Germantown Valley View (13-1) vs. No. 2 Liberty Center (14-0) Sidney Memorial Stadium
Division V State Championship: Saturday, December 2, 3 p.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Division VI
No. 2 Sugarcreek Garaway (14-0) vs. No. 1 Kirtland (13-1) at Louisville Leopard Stadium
No. 9 Columbus Grove (12-2) vs. Versailles (12-2) at Wapakoneta Mercy Health Wapak Ford Field
Division VI State Championship: Friday, December 1, 10:30 a.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Division VII
No. 10 Hamler Patrick Henry (12-2) vs. No. 1 Maria Stein Marion Local (14-0) at Lima Spartan Stadium
No. 5 Dalton (12-1) vs. Caldwell (11-3) at Zanesville Sulsberger Stadium
Division VI State Championship: Saturday, December 2, 10:30 a.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Media Notes:
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