Region 7
16 Olentangy (3-7) at 1 Big Walnut (10-0)
Big Walnut has dominated teams thus far in the regular season and has no sign of slowing.
Led by star sophomore running back Nate Severs, the Golden Eagles were perfect in the regular season and will look for the same success far into the playoffs.
The Braves of Olentangy will have their work cut out for them in this game, as they have struggled against top offenses in the area this season.
The key for the Braves will be to limit Severs' ability to run the ball effectively and prevent him from wearing down their defense.
15 Worthington Kilbourne (4-6) at 2 North Canton Hoover (8-2)
After a mid-tier 2020 season, Worthington Kilbourne comes back this season with yet another finish in the middle of the OCC.
However, an upset against Hoover would show an impressive amount of growth since last year.
Worthington Kilbourne, although having a losing record, has only averaged a loss by five points per game this season, so the potential is there for the upset to occur.
14 Wooster (5-5) at 3 Olentangy Berlin (8-2)
With respect to an early-season loss to Olentangy Liberty, Olentangy Berlin's Bears have enjoyed immense success this year.
Sophomore quarterback Harrison Brewster has helped the Bears to big wins this year including a comeback in the game's final minutes against Dublin Jerome.
Berlin will need Brewster and the team to perform well in the playoffs especially as they meet tougher defenses along the way.
13 Independence (5-5) at 4 Massillon Washington (8-2)
Independence lost two of its first three games in the season but has bounced back ending the regular season on a three-game winning streak.
The 76ers will have a tough first-round matchup against Massilon Washington who has scored over 300 points this season.
Independence has done the same, though, so the key for the 76ers will be just to keep up offensively so that they may be able to outscore the Tigers' effective offense.
12 Uniontown Lake (5-4) at 5 Westerville South (7-2)
Westerville South was projected to be one of the top teams in central Ohio before the season began, but two early losses for the Wildcats got them off to a rocky start.
However, since losing to Big Walnut 38-7 in Week 4, Westerville South has not lost defeating its opponents by upwards of two possessions per game.
The key for them this round and in future rounds will be to get senior receiver and Penn-State-commit Kaden Saunders the ball on offense, or at least run plays that could effectively use him as a decoy.
11 Pataskala Licking Heights (5-4) at 6 Dublin Scioto (7-3)
Dublin Scioto began the season 2-2 but quickly regained its footing winning the rest of its games with respect to a close loss to Big Walnut 28-20 in Week 9.
The Irish have been extremely effective on both offense and defense this season with an average point differential of about two touchdowns.
Dublin Scioto will need this effectiveness not only in this first round but also if they hope to reach further into the playoffs.
Licking Heights comes in at 5-4 and has a dynamic quarterback leading the offense in Deuce Caldwell. It'll be interesting to see if the Hornets can match up with the explosive weapons Scioto has on the perimeter.
10 Marion Harding (7-3) at 7 Uniontown Green (7-3)
Marion Harding is coming into the postseason off a four-game winning streak and nearly stealing the MOAC title from Shelby.
The Presidents will hope to build off this momentum with an upset in the first round.
Marion Harding's defense, which allowed 24 points per game during the regular season, will need to bear down if the Presidents want any chance at victory.
9 Canal Winchester (6-4) at 8 Whitehall-Yearling (6-3)
Canal Winchester has has an up and down season, but has stayed consistently in the conversation of the best teams in the OCC.
Senior running back Stephan Byrd will be crucial for the Indians as they look to defeat a competitive Whitehall-Yearling team.
For Whitehall-Yearling, though, defense will likely be the focus as the Rams allowed at 21 points per game during the regular season.