CLEVELAND — One final step on the Road to Canton.
After four grueling weeks of play in the Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs, we have reached the state semifinal round. Just 10 teams across WKYC's 17-county viewing area remain in the postseason, with the winners of Friday's games advancing to the state championship round next weekend at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Of the 14 semifinal matchups, four of them exclusively involve teams with roots in Northeast Ohio. Most notably, unbeaten Avon will battle powerhouse Archbishop Hoban in Division II, with the Eagles looking to snap a six-game semifinal losing streak dating back to 2017. Five of those losses have come against the Knights, including a 17-14 defeat last season.
Elsewhere, the two-time defending D-IV state champion Glenville Tarblooders will battle the Perkins Pirates in a rematch of last year's regional final. If Indian Valley beats Cincinnati Taft in the other semifinal, it would set up an all-Northeast Ohio state title game next Saturday.
Check below for a full list of state semifinal matchups involving schools in our area, with local teams listed in bold. All games will kick off Friday at 7 p.m. from neutral sites.
Division I
- Olentangy Liberty (12-2) vs. St. Edward (9-5) — Arlin Field, Mansfield
Division II
- Avon (14-0) vs. Archbishop Hoban (12-2) — InfoCision Stadium, Akron
Division IV
- Cleveland Glenville (11-3) vs. Perkins (13-1) — Bob Bishop Stadium, Clyde
- Indian Valley (14-0) vs. Cincinnati Taft (12-2) — Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus
Division VI
- Northmor (14-0) vs. Kirtland (14-0) — Hines Stadium, Minerva
Division VII
- Hillsdale (13-1) vs. Danville (12-2) — Whippet Athletic Complex, Shelby
In addition, Ely Stadium in Elyria will host a D-III semifinal between Toledo Central Catholic and Ursuline, while Liberty Center and South Range will battle for a trip to the D-V title game at Parma's Byers Field.
