Columbus high school heavyweights battle on the gridiron

OHIO — Now that Amazon Web Services are back up and running, there won’t be a more taxed server in the state of Ohio Friday night than the one that hosts Joe Eitel’s web site.

That’s because as the regular season wraps up, players, coaches and fans will hit the refresh button to see where the computer points are projected, and who will get into the Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs.

With the change this season to 12 teams per region (down from 16 in 2021-24), there are 112 fewer spots available statewide. 

Heading into the final weekend, 213 schools know their seasons will continue. That includes Olentangy Orange (Division I, Region 3), Elder (Division I, Region 4), Hoban (Division II, Region 5), Anderson (Division II, Region 8), Watterson (Division III, Region 11), Shelby (Division IV, Region 14), Kirtland (Division VI, Region 21), Hillsdale (Division VII, Region 27) and Marion Local (Division VII, Region 28) which have all clinched number one seeds.

The leaves 123 spots open, with 257 teams still alive to try to earn a post-season berth, according to the calculations on Eitel’s website. 

All six teams involved in the OHSAA Game of the Week on Spectrum News 1 have their tickets punched.

In Central Ohio, it’s an Ohio Capital Conference Ohio Division battle, with Gahanna (7-2) playing for a fourth straight league title. In the way is Pickerington North (8-1, ranked fifth in the Division I AP Poll).

It’s also a big game in Region 3, with the Lions sitting one spot higher at five than the Panthers in the computer points. Both teams have not only clinched a playoff spot but know they will host a first-round game. The winner on Friday earns a first-round bye.

Gahanna has won five straight, with its only two losses to undefeated Olentangy Orange and Pickerington Central. During the winning streak, the Lions have averaged over 40 points a game. 

Pickerington North has won eight straight after dropping the season opener to St. Edward (24-0). The Panthers defense has been rugged, with three shutouts, five games without allowing a touchdown, and seven outings allowing seven points or fewer. 

All time, Pick North holds a 10-8 series lead, but the Panthers have lost the last three, with the most recent win in the 2021 playoffs. Gahanna ended a five-year drought with the regular season triumph in 2021.

Friday’s games can be seen statewide on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App:

• Oct. 24: St. Edward at Hoban (northern Ohio)

• Oct. 24: Pickerington North at Gahanna (central Ohio)

• Oct. 24: Lakota West at Lakota East (southwest Ohio)

The playoffs begin on Friday, Oct. 31, with live games in the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton zones, and 18 games available through the Spectrum News 1 website. 

The excitement runs all the way through Dec. 4-6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, site of the OHSAA football championships, live on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App.