Avon High School’s football team has secured the third seed in Division II, Region 6 of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) playoffs. This placement allows the Eagles, along with two other local teams, Columbia and North Ridgeville, to enjoy a first-round bye, giving them a crucial opportunity to rest before their regional quarterfinals scheduled for November 7, 2023.
The OHSAA announced the final computer ratings on October 26, confirming that Avon, ranked as the No. 3 seed, will host the winner of the matchup between No. 11 Fremont Ross and No. 6 Olmsted Falls. Avon concluded the regular season with a commanding 47-7 victory over Elyria, while Wadsworth’s decisive win over Solon, 50-21, propelled them ahead in the ratings, making Avon the third seed.
Despite the setback, Avon’s path to a potential back-to-back state championship remains intact. Should Avon face Wadsworth in a semifinal, the game would take place at Wadsworth’s home field. For that to happen, Avon must first overcome the winner of the Fremont Ross and Olmsted Falls game. If Olmsted Falls prevails, it would mark the tenth meeting between the two teams in five seasons, highlighting their competitive history as Southwestern Conference and playoff rivals.
North Ridgeville, also enjoying a first-round bye, anticipates hosting the fifth-seeded Whitehouse Anthony Wayne in the quarterfinals. The Rangers, youthful but resilient, nearly upset Anthony Wayne last season when they were the No. 13 seed, narrowly losing 21-16. For this matchup to occur, Anthony Wayne must first defeat Toledo Start, the No. 12 seed, at home.
Fairview made headlines by achieving a historic milestone with their 56-41 win against Cabell Midland in West Virginia, marking the program’s first playoff appearance. The seventh-seeded Warriors will host No. 10 Fredericktown (8-2) in Division V, Region 18, aiming for their first playoff victory in program history.
Other local teams have also earned playoff spots, with Midview and Clearview securing their positions in the final week of the regular season. The twelfth-seeded Midview will face No. 5 Rocky River, while No. 11 Clearview, riding a four-game winning streak, will challenge No. 6 Sandusky Perkins, the defending Division IV state runner-up.
Columbia, fresh off a decisive victory over Firelands for the Lorain County League title, has also secured a first-round bye. The third-seeded team will face the winner of the match between No. 11 Columbiana and No. 6 Dalton in the Division VI, Region 21 quarterfinal.
As the first-round games are set for October 31, local teams are preparing for an exciting playoff season. Here are the matchups for the regional quarterfinals:
Division II, Region 6:
– No. 3 Avon: First-round bye, will host the winner of (11) Fremont Ross vs. (6) Olmsted Falls
– No. 4 North Ridgeville: First-round bye, will host the winner of (12) Toledo Start vs. (5) Whitehouse Anthony Wayne
Division III, Region 10:
– No. 5 Rocky River: Will host (12) Midview
Division IV, Region 14:
– No. 7 Bay: Will host (10) Lodi Cloverleaf
– No. 11 Clearview: Will visit (6) Sandusky Perkins
Division V, Region 18:
– No. 7 Fairview: Will host (10) Fredericktown
Division VI, Region 21:
– No. 3 Columbia: First-round bye, will face the winner of (11) Columbiana vs. (6) Dalton
With the playoffs approaching, local teams are poised to showcase their skills and determination on the field.
