Football playoffs returning to two nights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

COLUMBUS — High school football’s postseason plans were announced by the Ohio High School Athletic Association on Wednesday.

A return to Friday and Saturday nights

Citing a drop in postseason attendance last year, the OHSAA’s Board of Directors decided that 2018 playoff games in Divisions I, II, III and VI will be played on Fridays, while Division IV, V and VII playoff games will be played on Saturdays. All playoff games will kick off at 7 p.m. Previously, Friday playoff games kicked off at 7:30 p.m.

At the behest of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, all 2017 playoff games were played on Friday nights, but it didn’t go over well with a number of fans, who complained they no longer could follow their team on one night and another team of interest the other night.

“We still have good attendance throughout the playoffs, but the overall total attendance dropped in 2017 when we moved all the games to Fridays,” said Beau Rugg, OHSAA Director of Officiating and Sport Management and the OHSAA’s football administrator. “Some parts of the state liked staying away from Saturdays for playoff games, but we also received quite a bit of feedback, mainly from the smaller schools, that they hoped we would return to having games on Saturdays too, so their communities could see two games per weekend instead of one.”

Thoughts from Owens and Recker

Crestview head coach Jared Owens and Van Wert head coach Keith Recker shared their thoughts on the change.

“I think for the fans to be able to watch games it’s a great move,” Owens stated. For teams, I don’t think it will be too much of a difference other than more fans in the stands, equating to an even better atmosphere.”

“I think it makes sense,” Recker said. “It allows for same sites to be used on Fridays and Saturdays to be sure you can get on artificial turf. It allows for better attendance as a lot of people will go to games on both nights.”

“I’d rather play on Fridays, but if you’re in the playoffs I don’t think you’d be picky,” Recker added.

Playoff dates

The Board of Directors set the calendar for this year’s postseason. The only thing left to be scheduled is the order of championship games, which will be determined after the state semifinals.

Friday, November 2 – Regional Quarterfinals in Divisions I, II, III and VI
Saturday, November 3 – Regional Quarterfinals in Divisions IV, V and VII
Friday, November 9 – Regional Semifinals in Divisions I, II, III and VI
Saturday, November 10 – Regional Semifinals in Divisions IV, V and VII
Friday, November 16 – Regional Finals in Divisions I, II, III and VI
Saturday, November 17 – Regional Finals in Divisions IV, V and VII
Friday, November 23 – State Semifinals in Divisions I, II, III and VI
Saturday, November 24 – State Semifinals in Divisions IV, V and VII
State Championship Games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton (Nov. 29-Dec. 2)

It’s widely expected that state championship games will return to Ohio Stadium in 2019 or 2020.

Regional maps and regions set for 2018

The OHSAA Board of Directors approved school playoff regional assignments and the playoff schedule on Wednesday.

The Van Wert Cougars will remain in Division IV, Region 14, which has two new teams from the Sandusky area – Edison and Huron.

There’s no change for Crestview, as the Knights will stay in Division VII, Region 28.

Paulding will remain in Division V, Region 18, while Wayne Trace is moving from Division VII, Region 26 to Division VI, Region 22. Antwerp will stay in Division VII, Region 26.

Full regional maps, which show the number of schools within each region, and the complete list of schools in each region are posted at: http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/football.