Ohio OHSAA Football Divisions and Regions
ClassificationsHow Ohio Organizes High School Football
Ohio has one of the more detailed high school football classification systems in the country. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) oversees approximately 706 schools playing 11-man football, organizing them into seven divisions based on enrollment and 28 playoff regions based on geography. This guide explains how the system works and what it means for your student-athlete.
The Seven-Division Structure
Unlike many states that use three to six classifications, Ohio divides its football programs into seven divisions. Division I contains the largest schools, while Division VII serves the smallest. This granular approach ensures competitive balance by grouping schools of similar size.
2025-26 Division Breakdown
| Division | Male Enrollment | Number of Schools |
|---|---|---|
| I | 592 or more | 72 |
| II | 378-591 | 104 |
| III | 268-377 | 107 |
| IV | 202-267 | 105 |
| V | 157-201 | 106 |
| VI | 112-156 | 106 |
| VII | 111 or fewer | 106 |
Division I is intentionally smaller, containing only the 72 largest schools. The remaining six divisions each contain approximately 105-107 schools, creating balanced tournament brackets. This structure ensures that teams in Divisions II through VII have roughly equal paths to a state championship.
How Enrollment is Calculated
The OHSAA uses adjusted male enrollment figures rather than total school enrollment. This metric counts male students in grades 9-12 as reported through the Ohio Education Management Information System (EMIS). Using male-only counts prevents coeducational schools from competing against much smaller all-boys institutions at an enrollment disadvantage.
Several factors can adjust a school’s base enrollment figure:
Open Enrollment Adjustments: Students attending through open enrollment or school choice programs may affect the count differently than resident students.
Private School Considerations: Private and parochial schools often draw from larger geographic areas than public schools, which can influence competitive dynamics independent of raw enrollment.
Competitive Balance Factors: The OHSAA analyzes roster data from previous seasons to identify schools that consistently outperform their enrollment classification.
The Competitive Balance System
Ohio’s competitive balance process addresses a common challenge in high school athletics: some schools win more than their enrollment would suggest. This happens when programs attract talented athletes from outside their typical boundaries or when coaching and facilities create persistent advantages.
For the 2025 season, 46 schools were elevated above their base enrollment division through competitive balance adjustments. Of these, 12 were newly elevated based on analysis of roster information from the previous season. This system prevents small-enrollment powerhouses from dominating lower divisions year after year.
Schools in Divisions II through VII also have the option to voluntarily move up to Division I if they prefer competing against larger schools. For 2025, all 634 eligible schools declined this option.
Geographic Regions: Ohio’s Six Areas
While the OHSAA uses seven divisions for competitive purposes, Ohio high school athletics are organized into six geographic regions for administrative purposes. Based on our database of 702 schools with athletics data, here is how Ohio football programs are distributed:
| Region | Schools | Average Enrollment | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 192 | 744 | Cleveland metro, densely populated |
| Northwest | 147 | 474 | Smaller communities, rural programs |
| Southwest | 141 | 813 | Cincinnati metro, competitive |
| Central | 91 | 979 | Columbus metro, largest schools |
| Southeast | 69 | 425 | Rural Appalachian region |
| East | 51 | 437 | Ohio Valley communities |
The Central region, anchored by Columbus-area schools, has the highest average enrollment at 979 students. The Southeast region, covering Ohio’s Appalachian counties, has both the fewest schools and smaller average enrollments. These regional differences reflect Ohio’s varied geography and population distribution.
Playoff Regional Structure
For playoff purposes, each of the seven divisions is divided into four geographic regions, creating 28 total playoff regions. This ensures teams do not travel excessive distances in early playoff rounds and that regional champions from different parts of the state converge for state semifinals.
Playoff Format (2025 and Beyond)
The OHSAA recently modified its playoff structure:
- 12 teams qualify per region (reduced from 16 in previous years)
- Top 4 seeds receive first-round byes
- Higher seeds host first three rounds (increased from two)
- 336 total teams make the playoffs (48 per division)
This format rewards strong regular-season performance with home games and bye advantages while still providing playoff access to nearly half of all teams.
The Harbin Computer Ranking System
Ohio was the first state to use computer rankings for playoff qualification, a system developed by Jack Harbin, a typewriter repairman from Wickliffe. First implemented in 1972, the Harbin system has influenced playoff formats across the country and remains the foundation of Ohio’s selection process.
How Points Are Earned
Teams accumulate points based on wins, with point values varying by opponent division:
| Opponent Division | Points per Win |
|---|---|
| Division I | 6.5 |
| Division II | 6.0 |
| Division III | 5.0 |
| Division IV | 5.0 |
| Division V | 4.5 |
| Division VI | 4.0 |
| Division VII | 3.5 |
This structure rewards teams for scheduling and defeating higher-division opponents. A Division III team that beats Division I opponents earns more points than one that plays exclusively within its division.
Second-Level Points
Beyond direct wins, teams earn additional points based on their opponents’ winning percentages. If your opponents win their games, your points increase. This rewards teams for playing strong schedules and prevents gaming the system by scheduling weak opponents.
Tie Games
Ties result in half the point value being awarded. The final ranking combines first-level points (your wins) with second-level points (your opponents’ success) divided by games played.
Minimum Games Requirement
Teams must play at least eight games for ranking purposes. If a team plays fewer than eight games, the divisor remains eight, preventing teams from inflating their average by playing limited schedules.
Ohio’s Conference Landscape
Conference membership in Ohio is voluntary rather than state-assigned. Schools choose their conference affiliations, which helps preserve traditional rivalries regardless of enrollment fluctuations. Our database identifies 84 unique conferences across Ohio, reflecting this decentralized approach.
Major Conferences
Ohio Capital Conference: One of the state’s largest and most competitive conferences, serving the Columbus metropolitan area with multiple divisions.
Chagrin Valley Conference: A northeast Ohio conference operating with multiple divisions (Chagrin, Lake, Metro, and Valley) to accommodate member schools of varying sizes. The conference is expanding in 2026-27 with schools from the dissolving Western Reserve Conference.
Greater Miami Conference: One of Ohio’s oldest and most respected conferences, with member schools having captured 73 OHSAA team championships and 205 individual event championships.
Columbus City League: Serving Columbus Public Schools, this conference features some of the state’s most storied programs and intense rivalries.
Conference Structure Considerations
Because Ohio conferences are voluntary associations, membership can shift over time. Schools may change conferences seeking better competitive fits, geographic convenience, or improved scheduling. The Western Reserve Conference, for example, will dissolve in 2026 as member schools depart for other leagues.
When evaluating a school’s competitive environment, consider both its division classification and conference membership. A Division III school in a strong conference may face tougher regular-season competition than a Division II school in a weaker league.
Annual Realignment Process
The OHSAA reviews and updates divisional assignments annually. Enrollment figures are collected each fall, and new divisions are announced the following spring before the next season. This annual process means:
- Schools may move between divisions from year to year
- Enrollment trends matter (growing schools may move up, declining schools may move down)
- No team moved more than one division in the most recent realignment
- State semifinalists from the previous year remained in their divisions
For the 2025 season, 38 teams changed divisions from the prior year: 16 moved up a division and 22 moved down. These movements are typically modest, reflecting gradual enrollment changes rather than dramatic shifts.
What Parents Should Know
Division Does Not Equal Quality
A Division VII championship is just as legitimate as a Division I title. Smaller schools produce talented players who go on to play college football at all levels. Division classification reflects school size, not program quality or player development.
Conference Schedule vs. Playoff Seeding
Your child’s team may play a conference schedule against opponents from multiple divisions. However, playoff seeding depends on the Harbin computer rankings within the team’s own division and region. A team can have a losing record in a tough conference yet still make the playoffs based on quality wins and opponent strength.
The Competitive Balance Factor
If your school consistently wins and advances deep in the playoffs, it may be elevated to a higher division through competitive balance. The goal is to maintain fairness across the system. Some parents view this negatively, but it reflects the OHSAA’s commitment to competitive equity.
Geographic Realities
Ohio’s regional structure means travel requirements vary significantly. A team from rural southeast Ohio may face longer trips than one in suburban Cleveland. Regional placement affects both regular-season scheduling options and playoff travel.
Transfer Implications
Students who transfer between schools may face different competitive environments. A move from a Division VII school to a Division I school (or vice versa) changes the level of competition your student-athlete will face. Understanding the division structure helps families evaluate these transitions.
Looking Ahead
The OHSAA continues to evaluate its playoff format based on member school feedback. Recent surveys have gathered input on tournament structure, and adjustments may occur in future seasons. The core elements of the system, enrollment-based divisions, computer rankings, and regional playoffs, have proven durable since 1972 and will likely remain the foundation of Ohio high school football organization.
For the most current divisional assignments and regional maps, visit the OHSAA website at ohsaa.org. Weekly computer rankings are published beginning in Week 4 of each season, and complete playoff brackets are announced following the regular season.