HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SPOTLIGHT
DIVISION I (Games at 7 p.m. Friday) Olentangy Liberty (7-1) at Dublin Coffman (8-0)
You’d be hardpressed to find a better quarterback/running back tandem than Coffman’s Connor Mathews and Bryon Threats. They’ve accounted for 3,045 total yards (380.6 per game). Liberty gave Coffman its toughest test in a 24-17 defeat Week 2. The Patriots beat the Shamrocks 21-7 in a 2018 regional final.
New Albany (5-3) at Westerville Central (6-1)
Westerville Central crushed New Albany 42-7 in a Week 6 Ohio Capital Conference Ohio game, but the Eagles have been a different team since. The Warhawks’ defense has allowed just 34 points in the past five games.
Hilliard Bradley (3-5) at Pickerington Central (8-0). Bradley has knocked off the fourth and fifth seeds to reach the regional semifinal.
DIVISION II (Games at 7 p.m. Friday) Olentangy Berlin (5-3) at Westerville South (6-0)
This figures to be a shootout featuring two of the area’s most prolific passers in South’s Peter Pedrozo (2,044 yards, 25 TDS) and Berlin’s Jacob Moeller (2.471 yards, 22 TDS).
Worthington Kilbourne (5-3) at Olentangy (5-2)
Much of Olentangy’s success has been predicated on a stout pass defense that yields just 114 yards per game. Passing is Kilbourne’s strength, with quarterback Mitchell Tomasek and receiver Cayden Dougherty forming a potent combination.
Dublin Scioto (7-1) at Massillon Perry (7-0). Only one team (Canton Mckinley) has managed to top 14 points against top-seeded Perry.
DIVISION III (Games at 7 p.m. Friday)
London (6-1) at Jonathan Alder (7-0)
These longtime rivals met for the Central Buckeye Conference championship in Week 6, with Alder winning 30-13. The Pioneers are trying to return the regional final for a second straight season.
Granville (4-2) at Desales (5-1)
Both teams advanced by walkover when their opening playoff opponents were unable to play because of coronavirus outbreaks. Both teams have benefited from ambitious schedules.
Watterson (4-3) at Thornville Sheridan (7-0). Sheridan has allowed just 53 points all season.
Dresden Tri-valley (7-1) at Hartley (4-3), Tri-valley beat Hartley 13-9 in a 2017 regional final on the way to a state championship game.
DIVISION IV (Games at 7 p.m.
Saturday)
Heath (7-1) at Licking Valley (6-1)
Because of the schedule being shortened and playoffs being expanded, these longtime Licking County League rivals did not play during the regular season. Valley has won the past three meetings.
Carrollton (6-2) at Bloom-carroll (6-0),
Third-seeded Bloom-carroll is allowing just 4.7 points per game, best in central Ohio.
DIVISION V (Games at 7 p.m. Saturday) Ready (6-2) at Wheelersburg (6-1)
Wheelersburg is scoring 42.6 points per game and Ready is allowing 7.3. Ready’s defeats have come by a total of four points; Wheelersburg’s came by one point to 7-0 Waverly.
Harvest Prep (6-1) at Columbus Academy (6-1)
With a 20-10 victory In Week 2, Academy snapped Prep’s 38-game Mid-state League win streak dating to 2014 and took the Ohio Division title.
Johnstown (6-2) at Ironton (7-0). This matchup features 2018 and 2019 state runners-up. Ironton is scoring more than 50 points per game.
Liberty Union (6-1) at West Lafayette Ridgewood (7-0). Ridgewood has yielded just 48 points and Liberty Union 84.
North Union (6-2) at Findlay LibertyBenton (7-0). Both of North Union’s defeats came to teams that are now 7-0.
DIVISION VI (Games at 7 p.m. Saturday)
Africentric (4-1) at Fort Frye (7-0)
The last City League team standing, Africentric – which has already secured its first winning record in program history – faces a Fort Frye team that has reached the playoffs each of the past six seasons, losing just one regularseason game during the stretch.
Covington (5-2) at West Jefferson (6-1). West Jefferson needed a late field goal to escape Anna 36-35 last week.
DIVISION VII (Games at 7 p.m. Friday) Newark Catholic (4-3) at Danville (5-2) Newark Catholic and Danville are meeting for the first time since 2012, when the Green Wave won a 48-46 shootout in a regional final. Newark Catholic leads the series 11-2.
Berne Union (7-1) at Glouster Trimble (7-0). Berne Union is scoring 40.8 points per game and Glouster Trimble (40-5 the past four seasons) is allowing just 8.7.
Shadyside (4-3) at East Knox (6-1). Second-seeded East Knox reached a state semifinal in 2019.
Steve Blackledge sblackledge@dispatch.com @Blackiepreps