The roar of crowds and clash of helmets returns to football fields across Ohio tonight as the 2025 high school football season officially kicks off. With 706 schools participating in 11-man football, the Buckeye State continues to showcase one of the nation’s most robust high school athletic programs.
Season Overview
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has structured the season as a 10-week regular season marathon that will conclude on Saturday, October 25. What makes this year particularly significant is the streamlined playoff format—only the top 12 schools from each region will advance to postseason play, down from the previous 16 teams per region. This change, announced in June, promises to make every regular season game more crucial as 336 teams statewide will battle for playoff positioning.
The playoff announcement is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense month of elimination football.
Television Coverage Highlights
Spectrum has committed to comprehensive coverage with their Friday Night OHSAA Game of the Week series, broadcasting on Spectrum News 1 (channel 1), the Spectrum News App, and OHSAA.tv. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. each Friday, featuring carefully selected matchups that represent the best of Ohio high school football.
2025 Spectrum Friday Night Game of the Week Schedule
Week 1 (August 22): Austintown-Fitch vs. Hudson
Week 2 (August 29): Cleveland Glenville vs. Powell Olentangy Liberty
Week 3 (September 5): Cincinnati Elder vs. Springboro
Week 4 (September 12): Westerville North vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier
Week 5 (September 19): Cincinnati Anderson vs. Kings Mills Kings
Week 6 (September 26): Ironton vs. Wheelersburg
Week 7 (October 3): Strongsville vs. Mentor
Week 8 (October 10): Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit vs. Youngstown Ursuline
Week 9 (October 17):
- Southwest & Northeast: Cincinnati La Salle vs. Louisville
- Central: Hilliard Bradley vs. Lewis Center Olentangy Orange
Week 10 (October 24):
- Northeast: Lakewood St. Edward vs. Akron Archbishop Hoban
- Central: Pickerington North vs. Gahanna Lincoln
- Southwest: West Chester Lakota West vs. Liberty Township Lakota East
2025 Postseason Schedule
October 31: Regional Playoffs First Round (hosted by higher seed)
November 7: Regional Quarterfinals (hosted by higher seed)
November 14: Regional Semifinals (hosted by higher seed)
November 21: Regional Finals (neutral sites)
November 27: Thanksgiving
November 28: State Semifinals (neutral sites)
December 4-6: State Championships at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Playoff Structure and Championship Path
The road to Canton begins October 31 with Regional Playoff First Round games, hosted by the higher-seeded teams. This home-field advantage format continues through the Regional Semifinals on November 14, ensuring that regular season performance directly impacts postseason positioning.
Regional Finals move to neutral sites on November 21, followed by State Semifinals on November 28—strategically scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving when many alumni and extended family members can attend.
The ultimate prize awaits December 4-6 at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, where state champions will be crowned in college football’s most hallowed venue.
The Stakes Are Higher
With playoff qualification reduced to just 12 teams per region, this season promises to deliver unprecedented regular season intensity. Teams that previously might have coasted into the postseason with mediocre records now face the reality that every Friday night matters.
For the 706 participating schools, this represents more than just athletic competition. These programs serve as community rallying points, sources of local pride, and launching pads for student-athletes pursuing collegiate opportunities.
As the lights illuminate fields across Ohio this Friday night, they’ll shine on a season that promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. With reduced playoff spots available and comprehensive media coverage bringing these games to statewide audiences, the 2025 Ohio high school football season is positioned to deliver drama, excellence, and unforgettable moments that will resonate long after the final whistle blows in Canton.
The season begins this week, but the stories being written on Ohio’s football fields will echo through communities for years to come.
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