OHSAA Football Playoffs: Semifinal Thrills & Regional Finals Preview

The OHSAA Playoffs Intensify: Semifinal Highlights and Championship Dreams

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) football playoffs have reached a fever pitch as regional semifinals delivered electrifying matchups across the state. With teams battling for coveted spots in the regional finals, fans witnessed underdog stories, defensive standouts, and offensive explosions that underscore why high school football is a cornerstone of Ohio's culture.

How to Catch the OHSAA Action Live

Fans can tune into Spectrum News 1 and its mobile app to watch 25 live games starting at 7 p.m. nightly, including key contests like Upper Arlington vs. Pickerington Central in Central Ohio. For Central Ohio viewers, NBC4i's Football Friday Nite provides exclusive coverage and highlights starting at 11 p.m.

Semifinal Showdowns: Key Matchups and Highlights

The regional semifinals delivered unforgettable moments:

All-Olentangy Epic: Orange vs. Liberty

Top-seeded Olentangy Orange (11-0) hosted No. 5 Olentangy Liberty (8-4) in a Central Ohio showdown. The Pioneers dominated early, but Liberty fought back valiantly. Orange’s defense sealed the win with a late interception by Treyton Schroeder, securing a 28-24 victory. Lucas Fickel’s rushing touchdown and Levi Davis’s aerial attack highlighted Orange’s offensive prowess.

Intense rivalry: Olentangy Orange and Olentangy Liberty players collide during their playoff showdown. - Image from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6B5e1KdrO8

Underdog Uprising: Upper Arlington Stuns Pickerington Central

No. 6 Upper Arlington (10-2) pulled off a stunning upset over No. 2 Pickerington Central (10-1), winning 13-10. Luke Backes connected with Tristan DePhillips for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, while UA’s defense limited Central to just 2 rushing yards in the quarter. The win continues Upper Arlington’s improbable playoff run.

Big Walnut’s Offensive Machine

No. 1 Big Walnut (10-1) overwhelmed Canal Winchester (10-1) with a 35-0 victory. Running back Nolan Buirley stole the show, rushing for 204 yards and four touchdowns while surpassing 2,000 yards for the season. Quarterback Eli Stumpf added 219 passing yards, showcasing the Golden Eagles’ balanced attack.

Big Walnut star Nolan Buirley scores one of his four touchdowns against Canal Winchester. - Image from https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.pKvH08oHC3nkADxLfFWadAAAAA&w=120&h=120&c=1&pid=5.1

Other Notable Games

Canton McKinley vs. Mentor: McKinley’s defense stifled Mentor in a 21-14 win.
St. Xavier vs. Moeller: St. Xavier ended Moeller’s seven-game winning streak in a 17-14 thriller.
Wayne vs. Troy: Wayne’s upset of Troy set up a regional final clash.

Looking Ahead: Regional Finals and State Championship Dreams

Winners now advance to regional finals, setting the stage for battles like:

Olentangy Orange vs. Olentangy Liberty’s winner
Upper Arlington vs. Pickerington Central’s winner
Big Walnut vs. Canal Winchester’s winner

With the state championship just weeks away, every game carries immense pressure and glory. Stay updated through live blogs and local news outlets for scores, highlights, and playoff brackets.