Division III football playoffs preview: Glenville is heavy favorite, even as a No. 5 seed

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The state-title outlook changed when the Ohio High School Athletic Association placed Glenville in Division III.After three state championships in Division IV during the past four seasons, the Tarblooders are now a heavy favorite in their new classification.They enter it in Region 9, which sees undefeated Willoughby South and Garfield Heights among the top seeds.Bellbrook, thought by many across Ohio who vote in the Associated Press state poll to be a top contender, is another contender coming out of the southwest with Region 12 challengers Tippecanoe and Chillicothe — led by Mr. Football contender Cartae Ligon.Steubenville, led by quarterback Santino Haney, is another team that could reach Canton for the state championships.The OHSAA released its pairings Sunday for the Division III football playoffs. Here are the first-round games, scheduled for Friday, with a look at the favorites, best games, players to watch and predictions. The top four seeds in each region receive a bye.The higher seeds will serve as playoff hosts for the first two rounds. Games will be played at neutral sites from the regional finals through the state championships, which are Dec. 3-5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.The Division III state championship is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.OHSAA Division VII football playoffs preview: Can Cuyahoga Heights or Mogadore make a run to Canton?Oct. 25, 2026, 2:41p.m.OHSAA Division IV football playoffs preview: Undefeated Streetsboro and Rocky River lead the charge in Region 13Oct. 25, 2026, 2:38p.m.OHSAA Division II football playoffs preview: Can Avon three-peat?Oct. 25, 2026, 2:36p.m.REGION 9 PAIRINGSNo. 1 Willoughby South (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9No. 2 Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10No. 3 Garfield Heights (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11No. 4 Salem (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12No. 12 University School (6-4) at No. 5 Glenville (8-2)No. 11 Benedictine (5-4) at No. 6 Gilmour Academy (7-3)No. 10 Hawken (7-3) at No. 7 Howland (8-2)No. 9 Lake Catholic (6-4) at No. 8 Ursuline (6-4)FavoriteGlenville: Despite being the fifth seed, the Tarblooders are heavy favorites because of who they have and what they have done — which computer points don’t completely measure. Colorado commit Kaylon Bailey leads the defense with top junior prospects Jaylen Edwards at cornerback and Jaquan Gibson at safety. They came up with three interceptions earlier this month in a 26-0 shutout at Archbishop Hoban. Senior quarterback LaMarques Greenwood II is a dual threat who can change the complexion of a game. He has a big offensive line in front of him with junior John Morris and James Madison commit Da’Von McDougle at running back, plus several playmakers at receiver, including three-star junior Emiere Lemons.Underrated or underdog?Benedictine: The Bengals traditionally play a challenging schedule, and that is no different this season. Their four losses have come against powerhouses, including second-seeded NDCL, St. Ignatius, Division V contender Cardinal Mooney and eight-win Villa Angela-St. Joseph, which is playing in Division II this year. Junior running back Kayden Forte (800 yards, eight touchdowns) has sparked their offense. They began the season with a 32-14 win at Gilmour Academy, which is where they return Friday to open the playoffs as the No. 11 seed.Best first-round gameLake Catholic at Ursuline: Both teams are looking to bounce back from Week 10 losses. For Lake Catholic, it was a road loss to North Coast Conference champion NDCL. For Ursuline, it was rival Mooney. These programs have a history. Lake beat them in the 2020 regional finals en route to a state final appearance.REGION 10 PAIRINGSNo. 1 Celina (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9No. 2 Ontario (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10No. 3 Cloverleaf (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11No. 4 Wapakoneta (7-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12No. 12 Padua (4-6) at No. 5 Copley (6-4)No. 11 Maumee (5-5) at No. 6 St. Marys Memorial (7-3)No. 10 Midview (5-5) at No. 7 Tiffin Columbian (7-3)No. 9 Holy Name (5-4) at No. 8 Revere (6-4)FavoritesCelina: Coach Brennen Bader could be the All-Ohio Coach of the Year for turning around the Bulldogs after a 4-6 season in which they missed the playoffs. Now, they are the top seed in Region 10. Celina is two weeks removed from its first loss, a 22-20 setback in a thriller against Ottawa-Glandorf for the Western Buckeye League title.Ontario: All-Ohio linebacker Gavin Miller leads the Warriors, who have won two straight since their lone loss to unbeaten Shelby. Ontario established itself early in the region with wins against Tiffin Columbian and Clear Fork during the first half of the season.Best first-round gameHoly Name at Revere: Coach Robert Nickol’s Minutemen have been tested by the Suburban League American Conference, where they earned signature wins against Aurora and Kenston. Holy Name, meanwhile, has shown promise in Danny Day’s first season as head coach. Junior quarterback Luke Hudak and running back Kayden Parker have been sparks to the Green Wave. Both of these teams are capable of going on the road next week to upset Celina.REGION 11 PAIRINGSNo. 1 Steubenville (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9No. 2 Licking Valley (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10No. 3 Columbus East (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11No. 4 Athens (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12No. 12 Columbus South (8-2) at No. 5 Dover (8-2)No. 11 Tri-Valley (7-3) at No. 6 Sheridan (8-2)No. 10 Jonathan Alder (7-3) at No. 7 Granville (7-3)No. 9 Jackson (7-3) at No. 8 Linden McKinley (9-1)FavoriteSteubenville: Despite a pair of losses, albeit to tough programs in Indian Valley and Ursuline, the Big Red secured the top seed in the region. Coach Reno Saccoccia’s squad also does not have to worry about Bishop Watterson, which won the last two state championships coming out of Region 11, now up in Division II. Question is, could the Big Red meet Glenville and would it be in the state semifinals or state final? Geography will factor into the final four matchups.Underdog or underrated?Tri-Valley: The Scotties handed Sheridan its second loss two weeks ago, a 38-21 victory in Dresden. They are led by All-Ohio junior running back Leevi Wade. They head to Sheridan, a team they already beat at home two weeks ago.REGION 12 PAIRINGSNo. 1 Bellbrook (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9No. 2 Tippecanoe (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10No. 3 Archbishop McNicholas (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11No. 4 Chillicothe (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12No. 12 Monroe (6-4) at No. 5 Miami Trace (9-1)No. 11 Archbishop Alter (6-4) at No. 6 Indian Hill (8-2)No. 10 Goshen (9-1) at No. 7 Hughes (9-1)No. 9 Northwest (8-2) at No. 8 Unioto (7-3)FavoriteBellbrook: Linebacker Jack Kosins and the Eagles have kept seven opponents to single digits during their undefeated run. Kosins made All-Ohio honorable mention last year after a 6-5 finish that ended with a first-round loss to Archbishop Alter. Coach Jeff Jenkins also is a contender for state coach of the year.Underrated or underdog?Archbishop Alter: Speaking of Alter, the script has arguably flipped on the Knights after entering the playoffs last season as a sixth seed. They followed up that first-round win last year against Bellbrook with a loss to Badin, which is now up in Division II. Led by All-Ohio running back Drew Cripps, they have played arguably the toughest schedule in Region 12 — including Badin again (a 20-14 overtime loss two weeks ago) and Trotwood-Madison. They also pushed Bellbrook on the road in Week 5 before a 10-7 loss.Best first-round gameAlter at Indian Hill: The Braves have won six straight since a 48-47 triple-overtime loss to Wyoming. Alter is arguably the toughest team they have faced since then. The winner heads to Archbishop McNicholas next week.TOP PROSPECTSKaylon Bailey, Glenville: The Colorado commit had three sacks last year in the Division IV state championship against Shelby. Glenville coaches moved him to middle linebacker this summer before returning Bailey to an end spot. He wrecked teams’ passing games throughout last year’s playoffs.Jaylen Edwards, Glenville: Ohio State and Colorado are among the colleges that have offered Edwards, who doubles as a receiver and kick returner.Elijah Harris, Garfield Heights: A junior running back who spent his first two years of high school at Cleveland Heights, Harris has battled injuries since last year. When on the field, he is a threat to take over the game. Kentucky and Mid-American Conference schools have given him scholarship offers.Cartae Ligon, Chillicothe: Another junior running back, Ligon has offers from Auburn, Cincinnati and Duke. He made the All-Ohio first team last season with 2,580 all-purpose yards and 27 touchdowns. Ligon had 1,578 yards and 26 TDs through nine games this year. He also is a standout safety. His Cavaliers have the potential to make it a star-studded state semifinals, but a regular-season finale loss to Jackson and setback early this month to Miami Trace, which also is in Region 12, raises questions about their chances.STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PICKSRegional champs: Glenville, Ontario, Steubenville, BellbrookState championship: Glenville over Bellbrook