Our playoff footprint just got bigger. Heart of Ohio Sports is carrying more playoff games than ever with two live broadcasts plus two on-site recaps this Friday, November 7. This season is the first year of the OHSAA’s 12-team regional format, which gives the top four seeds a first-round bye and set up last week’s 5-12, 6-11, 7-10, 8-9 opening round matchups. That bye can be a blessing for health and prep time, and a curse if timing and rhythm cool off. The OHSAA finalized the change in June, with all regional quarterfinals beginning this Friday at 7 pm. Recent numbers around the state show why the new format matters, as almost all teams who qualified for the playoffs outside of DI had a winning record. Through Round 1 most home teams held serve against lower seeds, which raises the stakes for the visitors trying to ride that Week 11 momentum into this week.
No. 2 Hopewell-Loudon vs No. 10 Western Reserve
Live from Bascom, Ohio at 7 pm on our main YouTube channel, Facebook, and Twitch.
Crew: Play-by-play Nate Mullins with analyst Tommy Hall. Producer Greg “The Wizard” Kinn. Eric Hall on the sidelines. Donnie Hannam on camera.
Matchup snapshot
Hopewell-Loudon earned the 2 seed after a 9-1 regular season that opened with statement wins over Carey, Pleasant, and Edison, with a week 7 loss to #1 seed Margaretta the only blemish on an otherwise stellar regular season resume. Western Reserve arrives as the 10 seed, having earned a huge opening round road victory in Bluffton to earn this trip. Whoever comes out on top in this one will move on to face the winner of the #3 Archbold Bluestreaks vs #6 Seneca East Tigers matchup.
Pregame Show: 6:50PM
Kickoff time: 7PM
What to watch for
• Bye-week rest for the Chieftains versus the Roughriders’ momentum from a road win last week. Has the new format rewarded top seeds with well deserved rest before a long postseason run, or are road teams that tackle well and protect the ball more poised for an upset in week 12?
• Hopewell-Loudon’s defense is stacked from top to bottom, with depth up front that allows them to drop 7 or more into coverage and still get pressure on the quarterback. Western Reserve’s biggest task in this one is to generate explosive plays without turnovers.
This one comes down to how does Hopewell-Loudon’s offensive firepower match up up with Western Reserve’s defensive strengths
Players to Watch:
Hopewell-Loudon - Junior QB Jacoby Ellis had a coming out party this year, completing 70% of his passes for 1333 YDs, 22TDs, and 5 INTs. He stepped up in the absence of Kellen Frankart, who missed 5 games but still managed to finish with 75 carries for 467 YDs and 4 TDs while catching 6 passes for 42 yds and another score. Coach Colatruglio loves to find creative ways to utilize a players strengths, that was evident in the way he used Junior Brody Brickman this year. He comes into this matchup with 72 carries for 501 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, 34 receptions for 490 yards and 11 TDs through the air, and don’t forget his big play potential in the other two facets of the game as he has 4 interceptions on defense and has also returned 2 punts for touchdowns this season.
Western Reserve - Senior Quarterback Hayden Keith suffered an injury in early in the year and was unable to return until late in the season, and although the roughriders were able to steady the ship in his stead there is no doubt he is the undisputed captain of this ship. One of only two senior three year letter winners on the roster, Keith was able to return at the end of the season and help Western Reserve secure a playoff berth with 4 straight shutout wins to close out the regular season. He completed 69% of his passes for 849 yards, 11 TDs, and 3 INTs. Junior Colton Meagrow filled in admirably in his absence, completing 74% of his passes for 1098 yards, 9 TDs, and 7 INTs. The Roughriders are paced by Junior running back Landyn Wiegel, who comes into this one leading the team with 1147 yds and 25 TDs, averaging just under 7 yards per carry. The Roughriders defense boasts 4 players with at least 4 sacks, and 7 players with at least 40 tackles.
Nate Mullins had a chance to catch up with Coach Brian Colatruglio as he outlined how his Chieftains used the bye to rest up for a physical Round 2, as well as Senior leaders Mason Reinhart and Aiden Ewald as they talk about their mindset going into a must win game at home.
Thank you goes out to Coach Ty Stevenson for joining us via zoom, watch here as he explains what the Western Reserve Roughriders must do to pull the upset on the road.
Division VII, Region 26 Quarterfinal
No. 6 (9-2) Mohawk at No. 3 (9-1) Leipsic
Live from Leipsic, Ohio at 7 pm EXCLUSIVELY on YouTube and Heartofohiosports.com
Crew: Play-by-play Dominic Helmstetter with color analyst Brendon Blott. Producer Jacob Ellis. Emma Moeglin on camera.
Matchup snapshot
Leipsic enters as the 3 seed after a 9-1 regular season, with their lone loss coming at the hands of undefeated BVC champ and #1 seed in DV Liberty Benton, the Vikings will host this quarterfinal matchup at John Edwards Memorial Field. Mohawk comes in as the 6 seed after a strong first-round win over Montpelier and aims to carry that momentum into Friday. Whoever comes away with the win will move on to face the winner of the 2 seed North Baltimore vs the 7 seed Pandora-Gilboa matchup.
Pregame Show: 6:50PM
Kickoff time: 7PM
What to watch for
• Leipsic’s balance and versatility versus Mohawk’s physicality and relentless rushing attack.
• Short-field opportunities will swing this one. Hidden yards in special teams matter in November. This one could come down to who has the ball last.
Players to watch:
Mohawk - Junior Quarterback Andon Clouse, the N10 Offensive Player of the Year, is the player to watch for Mohawk, as his dual threat capability was on full display in the win vs Montpelier last week. Clouse leads the way for the Warriors, throwing for over 1700 yards with 18 TDs and just 3 INTs while also pitching in 827 rushing yards and 11 TDs on the ground.
Leipsic - Sophomore Quarterback Marc Kirkendall earned 2nd team All BVC while leading the league in passing with 2,249 yards, 21 TDs, and just 4 INT, good for a 112.1 QBR. Keep an eye on big play threat Marquise Williams in this one, he’s electric with 846 rushing yds and 14 TDs, 26 receptions for 410 yds and 3 TDs, and I wouldn’t kick it anywhere near this guy as he has taken 2 of the 6 kickoffs he has returned this year for touchdowns.
Connor Roush had a chance to catch up with Coach Eric Daniel as he gives his keys to the game for this win-or-go-home road playoff game
That concludes our live coverage for Friday night's games, however we will be sending two field reporters to get recap videos from two of the areas biggest playoff matchups! To catch all the LIVE action, head over to HeartOfOhioSports.com, click on the ‘WATCH LIVE’ tab, and enjoy both games paywall-free from the comfort of your home on your smart TV. Of course, you can always take the games with you wherever you go on your smartphone or tablet. Your home for live sports in the Buckeye State is HeartOfOhioSports.com!
No. 9 Carey at No. 1 Margaretta
On-site highlights and postgame recap with Cooper Snyder at The Duck Pond in Castalia
Matchup snapshot
The region 22 bracket sets up a heavyweight matchup in Castalia. Carey has surged recently with 4 straight road wins, scoring a big opening round win last week vs Patrick Henry to push their record to 7-4. Margaretta carries a 9-1 regular season and hosts its first home playoff game since 2002, which is sure to crank the atmosphere.
What to watch for
Defense travels. Both groups have kept points low this fall. First team to 20 may be enough in this one.
Connor had a chance to chat with Coach Jonathon Mershman as he details what Carey must do to handle Margaretta’s front and the playoff stage at the Duck Pond
No. 6 Seneca East at No. 3 Archbold
On-site highlights and postgame with Connor Roush at Archbold Bluestreak Stadium
Matchup snapshot
Archbold is a tested 3 seed that just ran the NWOAL gauntlet and now hosts a Seneca East team that survived a one-score grinder in Week 11.
What to watch for
Archbold’s efficiency and explosiveness versus Seneca East’s dominant front 7 and balanced offensive attack. Field position and third-down defense will set the tone. Whoever wins the turnover battle should come out on top here.
Coach Ed Phillips talks through the Tigers’ keys after last week’s nail-biter and what the keys to victory are vs the Bluestreaks
Coach David Dominique breaks down the Bluestreaks’ offensive identity and how they aim to control tempo at home.
The 12-team bracket changed everyone’s habits. Top four seeds got healthy and scouted during the bye. Lower seeds had to survive a high-stress Week 11 then turn around on a short clock for a road quarterfinal. Expect clean early scripts from the home teams and aggressive early swings from the visitors trying to steal momentum.
Fast facts and links for your reference
• OHSAA 2025 football calendar and round dates. OHSAA
• Division VI Region 22 bracket HERE
• Division VII Region 26 bracket HERE
