OHSAA Released Football Playoff Computer Rankings
The state athletic association unveiled the latest standings for the upcoming high school football postseason.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Football
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The Ohio High School Athletic Association has published its computer rankings for the 2026 football playoffs. These rankings determine which programs are on track to compete for state titles this winter.
Why it matters
The rankings are critical as they dictate playoff eligibility and seedings for schools across Ohio. With the postseason approaching, these figures determine which teams secure favorable positioning, including the competitive advantage of a first-round bye.
A total of 12 teams per region will qualify for the 2026 playoffs, with the top four seeds earning an automatic first-round bye. St. Edward, Walsh Jesuit, Rocky River, and Perry currently lead their respective regional divisions.
The players
Ohio High School Athletic Association
This organization governs athletic programs for schools across Ohio and manages the state playoff structures.
St. Edward
This high school program currently holds the top seed in Division I, Region 1.
Walsh Jesuit
This high school program is currently ranked first in Division II, Region 5.
Rocky River
This high school program sits at the top of the rankings for Division IV, Region 13.
Perry
This high school program holds the number one spot in Division V, Region 17.
The details
The rankings use a computer system to place teams into their respective divisions and regions for playoff qualification. Top-seeded teams include St. Edward in Division I, Region 1; Walsh Jesuit in Division II, Region 5; Rocky River in Division IV, Region 13; and Perry in Division V, Region 17.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: The OHSAA released the football playoff computer rankings.
October 30, 2026: The high school football playoffs begin.
December 3-5, 2026: The state championships will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Big Picture
The released rankings follow the established OHSAA postseason qualification criteria that define regional competition paths. This process mirrors historical qualification cycles that prioritize computer-determined seeding to ensure parity across divisions.
Teams currently outside the top 12 in their respective regions must improve their computer point totals to qualify for the postseason. Programs seeded 5 through 12 face an additional opening-round game, while the top four seeds earn the rest of a first-round bye.
The takeaway
The publication of these rankings signals the beginning of the final push for programs to solidify their playoff standing. Fans and players can use these data points to track the path toward the state championship games in Canton.
What happens next
The OHSAA football playoffs are scheduled to officially begin on October 30, 2026, with the state championship series set for December 3-5, 2026, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Further reading
For more information on the postseason structure, visit the Ohio Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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