Ohio Expanding High School Football Playoffs

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio high school football playoffs are getting bigger.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted to expand the football playoffs from eight schools per region to 12, starting in 2021 season. The vote to expand the playoff field was unanimous.

“We still have details to work out regarding the format and specific season dates, but this vote by the board gives us the green light to finalize those details for 2021,” said Beau Rugg, senior director of officiating and sport management for the OHSAA. “We are thankful for the board’s support on this proposal, which will bring all the great things of playoff football to 112 additional schools and communities.”

The number of qualifying games for the football playoffs will expand from 224 to 336 under this new format. Last year, 709 Ohio schools fielded a football team.

Under the board's approved expansion plan, the top four seeds in the playoffs will have an initial bye week. During the opening weekend of postseason play, the No. 12 seed will play the No. 5 seed, No. 11 will play No. 6, No. 10 will play No. 7 and No. 9 will face No. 8.

In the second round, the No. 1 seed will face the winner of the No. 8 vs. No. 9 game. The No. 2 seed will play the winner of No. 7 versus No. 10, No. 3 will play the winner of No. 6 versus No. 11 and the No. 4 seed will play the winner of No. 5 versus No. 12.

Higher seeded teams will host their playoff games during the first and second weekends of the postseason.

The playoffs should still conclude during the weekend of Dec. 2, OHSAA officials said.