Avon High School’s football team has secured the No. 3 seed in Division II Region 6, positioning itself favorably for the upcoming state playoffs. As one of three local teams to earn a first-round bye, the Eagles will rest during Week 11 and prepare to host a regional quarterfinal match on November 7, 2023. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) released the final computer ratings on October 26, solidifying Avon’s playoff status alongside Columbia and North Ridgeville.
Entering Week 10, Avon held the No. 2 seed but faced challenges that resulted in a shift. The Eagles achieved a decisive victory against Elyria, winning 47-7, but Wadsworth’s victory over Solon, with a score of 50-21, allowed Wadsworth to leap ahead. Should Avon and Wadsworth face each other in a semifinal, Wadsworth would host the match.
To advance to the semifinal, Avon must first defeat the winner of the game between No. 11 Fremont Ross and Olmsted Falls, scheduled to take place at Olmsted Falls. If Olmsted Falls prevails, it would set up a familiar matchup; this game would be the tenth encounter between Avon and the Bulldogs over five seasons, as they have consistently faced each other in both regular season and playoff scenarios.
North Ridgeville also secured a first-round bye and is poised to host No. 5 Whitehouse Anthony Wayne in its quarterfinal. Last season, the Rangers nearly upset Anthony Wayne as the No. 13 seed, narrowly losing 21-16. For this playoff run, Anthony Wayne must first defeat No. 12 Toledo Start, which holds a record of 6-4.
In another significant development, Fairview made history with a 56-41 victory against Cabell Midland, marking their first playoff game in program history as the seventh seed. The Warriors will host No. 10 Fredericktown, who enters the playoffs with an impressive record of 8-2. This will be Fairview’s fourth playoff game, and they are seeking their first playoff win.
Other local teams also qualified for the playoffs in the final week. Midview secured a spot in Division III Region 10 as the No. 12 seed and will travel to face No. 5 Rocky River. Clearview, riding a four-game winning streak, earned the No. 11 seed in Division IV Region 14 and will take on No. 6 Sandusky Perkins, the defending Division IV state runner-up.
Columbia concluded the regular season by decisively defeating Firelands to clinch the Lorain County League title. The Raiders will face the winner of the matchup between No. 11 Columbiana and No. 6 Dalton in the Division VI Region 21 quarterfinal.
The schedule for the first-round games is set for October 31, with regional quarterfinals commencing on November 7. Below are the notable matchups involving area teams:
– **Division II Region 6**:
– No. 3 Avon: First-round bye, hosts winner of (11) Fremont Ross at (6) Olmsted Falls
– No. 4 North Ridgeville: First-round bye, hosts winner of (12) Toledo Start at (5) Whitehouse Anthony Wayne
– **Division III Region 10**:
– No. 5 Rocky River: Hosts (12) Midview
– **Division IV Region 14**:
– No. 7 Bay: Hosts (10) Lodi Cloverleaf
– No. 11 Clearview: At (6) Sandusky Perkins
– **Division V Region 18**:
– No. 7 Fairview: Hosts (10) Fredericktown
– **Division VI Region 21**:
– No. 3 Columbia: First-round bye, hosts winner of (11) Columbiana at (6) Dalton
As the playoffs approach, the excitement builds among these local teams, each aiming to make a significant impact in their respective divisions.
