The latest Ohio high school playoff projections at the end of the regular season

CINCINNATI — The Ohio high school football postseason picture began to sharpen late Friday night across seven leagues in Greater Cincinnati.

Computer analyst Joe Eitel, who helps the Ohio High School Athletic Association compile weekly computer point rankings during the season, updated the latest playoff projections Friday night. The regular season ends on Saturday.

Eitel’s projections are considered unofficial until the OHSAA likely announces playoff qualifiers on Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

The OHSAA says 448 schools – the top 16 in each region – will qualify for the playoffs. Ohio high school football starts on November 1.

In Division I, Region 4, Moeller (9-1) is the unofficial No. 1 seed.

Lakota West (9-1) and Winton Woods (9-1) could be No. 2 or No. 3. Lakota West shut out Mason and clinched a share of the Greater Miami Conference title with Princeton (8-2) on Friday night.

Princeton is projected to finish 4th, Hamilton (8-2) – 5th St. Xavier (7-3) – 6.

Lakota East (7-3), Elder (7-3) and West Clermont (7-3) are in the 7-9 bracket.

Mason (5-5) is No. 10. Milford is No. 11 and Oak Hills (4-6) is No. 12. Fairfield (2-8) is No. 13.

Little Miami (1-9), Walnut Hills (1-9) and Sycamore (1-9) are No. 14-16.

In Division II, Region 8, Anderson (10-0) is the No. 1 seed. La Salle (8-2) is the No. 2 seed and Xenia (9-1) is the No. 3 seed. Badin (8-2) is fourth.

Several seeds are being determined, including Mount Healthy, Harrison and Kings.

Withrow is number 10 and Aiken is number 12.

In Division III, Region 12

McNicholas (8-2) is projected at 5 or 6. Batavia is projected at 7 or 8. Ross (4-6) could be at 12 to 15. Wilmington could be at 10 or 11 or as a low at 16.

In Division IV, Region 16, Clinton-Massie (8-2) is No. 1. Wyoming (10-0) is No. 2.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (9-1) is No. 4, Taft (8-2) is No. 5. Taylor (8-2) could be No. 6 or No. 7. Indian Hill (7-3) is No. 8 or 9.

The cast also includes New Richmond, Shroder and Roger Bacon.

In Division V, Region 20, Williamsburg (9-1) will likely host a first-round game. Madera (5-5) also clinched a playoff spot.

In Division VI, Region 24, Cincinnati Country Day (9-1) is No. 2. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (8-2) is No. 5.

Miami Valley Christian Academy (4-6) and Purcell Marian secured playoff spots. Deer Park (4-6) is also available.

In Division VII, Cincinnati College preparatory classes may be offered in grades 2-5. The Lions will host Dayton Christian on Saturday afternoon.

Lockland is projected to finish 16th.

All playoff rounds leading up to the state finals will be held on Fridays for all seven divisions. The top eight seeds in each region host first-round matches.

There are 707 schools in the 11-person football computer ranking. The 72 largest schools are in Division I, while the remaining schools are evenly divided into Divisions II through VII (approximately 106 schools in each division).

The regional semifinals, regional finals and state semifinals will be held at neutral locations.

The state finals will be held December 5-7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Schedule:

Thursday, December 5 – 2nd league at 19:00

Friday, December 6 – Department VII at 10:30

Friday, December 6 – 3rd league at 15:00

Friday, December 6 – 1st Division at 7:30 p.m

Saturday, December 7 – Division VI at 10:30

Saturday, December 7 – Division V at 3:00 p.m

Saturday, December 7 – Division IV at 7:30 p.m

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