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CLEVELAND — The “Road to Canton” has one more stop, one more chance for 28 vehicles to perform maintenance checks to see if they are can go the distance for a state championship.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association state semifinals will be played on Friday night, with 14 winners advancing to a state championship game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Four programs still have the directions plugged into their GPS from last year, as Avon (Division II), Watterson (III), Indian Valley (IV) and Coldwater (VI) still have title defense hopes alive.
Six more are excitedly asking for directions, as Olentangy Orange, Middletown (both Division I), Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (III), Indian Hill (IV), Indian Lake (V), and Colonel Crawford (VI) are coming of their first-ever regional championships.
Then there are schools that used paper maps the last time they were around this deep into the season. McDonald (1994) and Walsh Jesuit (1999) are both more than 25 years removed from last state semifinal appearances.
So, start your engines. Spectrum News 1 has you covered with both Division I semifinals live Friday night as part of the OHSAA Game of the Week. All 14 semifinals are available free to Spectrum customers, with direct links below.
Last year at this time, St. Edward watched a 22-game playoff winning streak end at Mansfield’s Arlin Field, losing to eventual state champion Olentangy Liberty, 21-7.
Fast forward, and it’s a different Olentangy school (undefeated Orange) standing in the way of the Eagles reaching the 2025 state title game.
One big difference from 12 months ago is the health of star players Brendan White (running back, Kent State commit) and Zach Hackleman (wide receiver, Toledo commit) who were not available because of injuries in that loss to the Patriots.
Both have entries in the St. Edward career record books and are a big reason the Eagles are contending for their fourth state championship in the past five years.
Olentangy Orange knows Olentangy Liberty all too well, itself. The Patriots were the only team this year (in both matchups) to finish within two touchdowns of the Pioneers.
Orange has scored between 35 and 45 points in nine of its 13 games this year, while allowing 14 or fewer points in 11 contests. On average, the Pioneers are winning games by 26 points an outing.
Not too shabby for a program on the rise that’s only been in existence since the school opened in 2008. This is the first regional title in football, and the basketball team won its first regional back in March on the way to a state championship in Division I.
This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
You can make a case that winning Region 4 can be so demanding that there isn’t enough gas in the tank for the state semifinals.
From 2021 to 2023, Moeller survived a challenging bracket only to be knocked off by talented Springfield teams in the state semifinals. However, the Crusaders got past Centerville out of Region 2 last year.
That’s the task facing St. Xavier, which came from behind to beat Greater Catholic League South rivals Moeller and Elder the past two weeks. Those wins erased the only two losses on the year, falling in back-to-back weeks in the regular season.
It’s the Bombers’ first regional championship since 2020, the second straight time (2016) that X won Region 4 and went on to win the state title.
Advancing from Region 2 is Middletown, the first time the Middies ever lifted a regional championship trophy in football, thanks to a defense that’s only allowed 14 total points in three playoff victories (all to Wayne in the final).
It’s a trend that has transcended the entire season, as Middletown is permitting just a tick over eight points a game and has held nine opponents to single digits.
While these programs have never met in the postseason, the Middies hold a slim, 5-4 series advantage. St. Xavier won the most recent meeting in 2012, while Middletown’s last win over the Bombers was in 1998.
It will be the second trip to Dayton Welcome Stadium in three weeks for St. Xavier, which won its playoff encounter with Moeller there.
There will also be bonus coverage on Spectrum cable channel 314 (note: channel not available on the Spectrum App) of a Division II state semifinal at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus.
For the second straight year, Big Walnut and Anderson will play at this venue, with a trip to the state championship game on the line. The Raptors were 28-24 winners a year ago, before falling to Avon in the title contest.
Ironically, the Golden Eagles beat Massillon in the Region 7 final for a second straight season last week. Big Walnut’s only loss was in week one to Division III powerhouse Watterson.
Its defense has five shutouts this year and nine games with opponents in single digits. Anderson will put that to the test with an offense averaging over 45 points a game.
The Raptors are led by junior quarterback Owen Scalf, who has thrown for 4,288 yards and 37 touchdowns this season, while scooting for an additional 634 yards rushing (and 7 more scores).
Spectrum News 1 will also broadcast 11 games on www.SpectrumNews1.com, including the following matchups:
Division II – Walsh Jesuit (11-1) vs. Avon (12-1) at InfoCision Stadium
Defending Division II state champion Avon will meet Walsh Jesuit at the University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium, the first ever meeting between the programs.
The Warriors won their first regional title since 1999, which is also the last year they won a state football title. Walsh got revenge on Hoban (which handed it its only regular season loss in week six) by beating the Knights 35-7 in the Region 5 final.
The Eagles’ only loss was to Spruce Creek, Florida, in week two, by just three points (25-22). Avon’s offense has hit 40 or more points eight times this year.
In Division III, the Royals meet royalty. The Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Royals are undefeated and in the state semifinals for the first time.
Toledo Central Catholic has claimed five state football championships, including back-to-back Division III crowns in 2022-23.
CVCA has only had one game (28-21 win over Lake Catholic) decided by fewer than 28 points, while allowing more than 20 just once.
The Fighting Irish, playing in the challenging Detroit Catholic League, started the year 0-3, including an opening loss to Walsh Jesuit (17-14). The other three defeats are at the hands of Michigan schools.
Division III – Watterson (12-0) vs. Tippecanoe (13-0) at Mason
Defending Division III state champion Watterson (who split title game meetings with Toledo Central Catholic in 2023 & 2024) has scored 37 or more points in all but one game. Just as impressive, no one has topped 15 among opponents, and nine of the 12 were limited to a touchdown or less.
Another undefeated team stands in the way of a return trip to Canton. Tippecanoe is no slouch on offense, either, averaging over 41 points per contest.
Division IV – Glenville (10-3) vs. Indian Valley (12-0) at Minerva
Division IV is loaded with three undefeated teams, including defending state champion Indian Valley, plus a Glenville team that plays a challenging schedule and won the previous two Division IV state titles (2022-23).
The two meet in one of the semifinals at Minerva High School.
The Tarblooders split their first four games, a murderer’s row of Massillon, Olentangy Liberty (both wins), Avon and St. Edward (both losses). The only other Glenville defeat was by three points to Hoban.
The Braves have won 28 straight games, going back to the beginning of the 2024 season. Senior running back, Mr. Football candidate Grady Kinsey, has run for nearly 7,800 yards in his storied career, as well as an OHSAA record 119 rushing touchdowns.
Division IV – Indian Hill (13-0) vs. Shelby (13-0) at Sidney
The second matchup of undefeated teams features Indian Hill and Shelby, who square off in Sidney.
The Braves are coming off their first-ever regional championship under the direction of head coach John Rodenberg, who took Moeller to back-to-back state titles in 2012-13. Indian Hill’s defense shut out five opponents this year, all in a six-game span in the regular season.
The Whippets claimed their second-ever regional championship, winning the first back in 2017. Quarterback Brayden DeVito, another Mr. Football candidate, powers an offense that failed to hit the 40-point mark only twice this season.
Devito is committed to playing at Air Force, just like Indian Valley’s Grady Kinsey.
Division V – Cardinal Mooney (10-2) vs. Wheelersburg (13-0) at Westerville Central
Youngstown’s Cardinal Mooney can match tradition with anyone in the state. The Cardinals have won eight state titles, tied with Coldwater and Newark Catholic. Only Marion Local (15), St. Ignatius (11) and Moeller (9) have more.
However, it’s been 14 years since the last one, and 12 years since the previous regional title.
Cardinal Mooney played only one other Division V program before the playoffs began, with the others in Division III or IV in the regular season.
Wheelersburg has been a machine,= coming out of Region 19. It’s the Pirates’ first state semifinal appearance since 2018, having won their second state title the year before.
Only three of 13 opponents have reached double-digits on the Wheelersburg defense.
Division V – Indian Lake (11-2) vs. Liberty Center (13-0) at Lima Spartan Stadium
Indian Lake’s best season in school history was 2016, when the Lakers completed a 10-0 season before falling to Ottawa-Glandorf in a regional semifinal.
Now there’s company, as the 2025 squad clinched the school’s first football regional title, following an 8-2 regular season. It’s a team comfortable with close games, winning four of them by a field goal.
Liberty Center captured its fourth straight regional crown, and reached the championship game the last two years, before losing to Ironton (2024) and Perry (2023). The Tigers have a 57-3 record since 2022, with the three losses in the state semifinal or state championship game.
LC has not been seriously threatened yet this year, with its closest game a 19-point decision over Archbold in week nine.
Division VI – Kirtland (13-0) vs. Colonel Crawford (13-1) at Byers Field
Kirtland earned its ninth straight regional championship last week, and 14th in the last 15 years. Even more remarkable, the Hornets are a perfect 14-0 in the state semifinals all-time. The last loss that wasn’t in a state championship game was to Cuyahoga Heights in a 2016 regional final.
The 2025 team hasn’t allowed more than seven points in a game since September 12th. Senior quarterback Jake LaVerde—son of head coach Tiger LaVerde—leads the offense.
Colonel Crawford is another first-time regional champion. The Eagles have five wins this season over teams with eight or more victories. The only loss was a 24-14 decision to Carey, which made the Region 22 final.
Division VI – Coldwater (10-4) vs. Hopewell-Loudon (12-1) at Wapakoneta
The Region 22 title was won by Hopewell-Loudon, which is a regional champion for the first time since 2021. The Chieftains reached back-to-back state championship games in 2007-08 but are still seeking the school’s first state title.
Hopewell-Loudon’s only loss this season was a week seven game against Margaretta (29-26).
On the other sideline is a Coldwater program coming off its eighth state championship, winning Division VI over Kirtland last year.
The Cavaliers got off to a slow start in 2025, splitting its first four games. Coldwater comes in winners of five of its last six, with the only loss to Marion Local by one point (7-6).
Division VII – St. Henry (12-1) vs. Columbus Grove (10-3) at Troy
Marion Local’s 76-game winning streak (and four consecutive state championships) ended at the hands of fellow Midwestern Athletic Conference member St. Henry.
The Redskins atoned for their only defeat of the year, a 21-14 decision to the Flyers in week three, with a 24-7 triumph in the Region 28 final.
The same program that sent Jim Lachey, Bobby Hoying, Tommy Hoying and Todd Boeckman on to play at Ohio State has won six state championships of its own, with the most recent in 2006, which also happens to be the last regional title.
Columbus Grove, meanwhile, won its fourth straight regional last week. However, the Bulldogs could not advance past the state semifinals since winning it all in 2003.
The 2025 team has won ten straight games after beginning the campaign 0-3.
This is the second all-time meeting, with Redskins taking a 1995 regional semifinal played in Celina with a 21-0 score.
Division VII – Hillsdale (12-1) vs. McDonald (13-0) at New Philadelphia
While all of Division VII breathed a sigh of relief when St. Henry knocked off Marion Local, no one exhaled louder than Hillsdale.
Coming off the school’s first-ever regional title and championship game appearance a year ago, the Falcons were overwhelmed 74-0 by the Flyers in last year’s championship.
However, Hillsdale responded with a strong season in 2025, experiencing just one blemish, a 24-17 decision to Norwayne in the regular season finale.
McDonald hasn’t played in a state semifinal in 31 years, beating Beallsville before losing to St. Henry in the state championship game in 1994.
The Blue Devils completed their first undefeated regular season since 2018 and are making their fourth state semifinal appearance all-time.
Let Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App chauffeur you next week for the state championships, Dec. 4 to Dec. 6 in Canton:
Thursday, Dec. 4: Division II Championship at 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5: Division IV Championship at 10:30 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 5: Division III Championship at 3 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5: Division I Championship at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6: Division VII Championship at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6: Division VI Championship at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6: Division V Championship at 10:30 a.m.
Coverage begins 15 minutes prior with OHSAA Championship Gameday, which returns following each game for interviews and analysis.
Previous games from the season are also available on demand through our website.
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Rob Kunz
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