The Ohio High School Athletic Association has unveiled the updated divisional alignments and playoff regions for the upcoming 2025 high school football season. Notably, no schools from Divisions II through VII have chosen to advance to Division I. Through the OHSAA's competitive balance mechanism, twelve schools have been promoted to a higher division based on roster data analysis from the previous year. This brings the total number of schools elevated due to competitive considerations to forty-six.
In the picturesque landscapes of Stark County, preparations are underway for the 2025 high school football season. The region's schools have been strategically placed into various divisions and playoff regions. Leading the charge in Division I are GlenOak, Jackson, and McKinley, all assigned to Region 1. Moving down the ranks, Green and Lake are set for Region 5 in Division II, while Hoover, Louisville, Massillon, and Perry will compete in Regions 7 and 5 respectively. Carrollton finds itself in Division III, Region 11. Canton South and Northwest are positioned in Division IV, Regions 15 and 13 accordingly, alongside West Branch in Region 13. In Division V, Central Catholic, Fairless, Sandy Valley, and Tusky Valley are grouped within Region 17. St. Thomas Aquinas competes in Division VI, Region 21, with East Canton and Malvern rounding out the list in Division VII, Region 25.
This reorganization reflects the OHSAA's commitment to fostering fair competition across all levels of high school football. By promoting schools based on competitive balance, the association aims to enhance the quality of play and provide more challenging matchups for student-athletes. As fans anticipate the new season, these changes promise to bring excitement and renewed rivalries to the Stark County football scene.