Question About OHSAA State Football Tournament History

[ironman02]

On the OHSAA website, there is a link that provides information about state tournament results dating back to 1972 when the playoff system first began. However, that link only provides information about the state seminfinals and state finals.

My question is this. Is there anywhere to find a comprehensive list of ALL playoff games and their results, including regional quarterfinals, regional semifinals, and regional finals? There are some past tournament results on the website, but it only goes back to the late 1990s. I would really like to have a complete history of the OHSAA playoffs.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Ironman92]

Don't know how far back the major newspapers in the state would go....but they might have many of the missing pieces....but a ton of work. Let me know if you need any help and I'll gladly laugh at you.

[ironman02]

Obviously the OHSAA has the records. I probably should just send them an e-mail and ask them, but I'm sure that would be quite the process. Hopefully someone will know where I can find them online, so I don't have to mess directly with the OHSAA.

[JohnKnight]

This situation, then, led to the third and final phase of state football championship determination, the playoff era that began with the 1972 season. To be technically correct, the playoffs actually began in December of 1971, when the board of the OHSAA voted to establish a football playoff system to determine the state champions. Using the poll nomenclature, all high schools were divided into the three recognized classes of AAA, AA and A, based on their enrollment, with each Class subdivided into four regions. An early computerized system developed by Jack Harbin assigned point values to each school in an attempt to mathematically determine a team’s strength and that of its opponents. At the end of the regular season, the team with the highest point total in each region qualified for the playoffs. In those earliest days of the playoffs, therefore, only 12 teams from the entire state qualified for post-season play - three classes of four regions each - with only one school from each region able to qualify. This system remained unchanged from 1972-1979.

http://ohsaa.org/sports/history/Tim_Hud ... otball.htm

[79Tiger]

This situation, then, led to the third and final phase of state football championship determination, the playoff era that began with the 1972 season. To be technically correct, the playoffs actually began in December of 1971, when the board of the OHSAA voted to establish a football playoff system to determine the state champions. Using the poll nomenclature, all high schools were divided into the three recognized classes of AAA, AA and A, based on their enrollment, with each Class subdivided into four regions. An early computerized system developed by Jack Harbin assigned point values to each school in an attempt to mathematically determine a team’s strength and that of its opponents. At the end of the regular season, the team with the highest point total in each region qualified for the playoffs. In those earliest days of the playoffs, therefore, only 12 teams from the entire state qualified for post-season play - three classes of four regions each - with only one school from each region able to qualify. This system remained unchanged from 1972-1979.

http://ohsaa.org/sports/history/Tim_Hud ... otball.htm

Great information and it leads me to this trivia question: Who won the last AA State Championship in Ohio?

[ironman02]

Thanks, JohnKnight. Great information.

Great information and it leads me to this trivia question: Who won the last AA State Championship in Ohio?

That would be Ironton.

[79Tiger]

Thanks, JohnKnight. Great information.

Great information and it leads me to this trivia question: Who won the last AA State Championship in Ohio?

That would be Ironton.

I actually did not know that until John posted his history. I thought the six divisions came later than '80.

[ironman02]

Division VI actually wasn't added until 1994, but the other five divisions began in 1980, replacing the three classes (A, AA, AAA).

I had actually noticed that Ironton won the last AA championship a while back. Very interesting to look back at past results, which is why I want them all.

[starbase_318]

Why the big drop off with Moeller? Does anyone know?

[ironman02]

Interesting info on the public vs. private debate, Tobias.

Thanks for posting that.

[Sweet Pea]

tobias

so public/private championships are about 50/50.....sadly private/parochial schools only account for about 10-15% of total football playing schools! But hey - they don't recruit, or keep enrollment down, or have an advantage of drawing from metro population areas; sometimes of 1-2 million people, or any other unfair advantage ----------------RIGHT?????

4 public divisons and 2 private divisions would be best in my opinion!!

sweetpea

[Gray Fighting Tiger]

In case anyone is interested, here are the results of every playoff game from the start of the playoffs (first games were played in 1972) through 1979. After 1979, the Class AAA, AA, A format was changed to Division I, II, III, IV, V. Division VI was added years later.

NOTE: the playoffs back then started with the state semifinal round.

1972 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 17
CLASS AA
At Tiger Stadium, Massillon
Akron St. Vincent 42, Uniontown Lake 6
At Memorial Stadium, Troy
Columbus Watterson 12, Reading 6

Saturday, Nov. 18
CLASS A
At Upper Arlington Stadium
Lorain Clearview 18, Middletown Fenwick 0
At Arlin Field, Mansfield
Marion Pleasant 36, Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 14
CLASS AAA
At Ohio Stadium, Columbus
Cincinnati Princeton 17, Massillon Washington 14
Warren Western Reserve 23, Toledo Scott 15

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday, Nov. 24
CLASS A
At Selby Stadium, Delaware
Marion Pleasant 20, Lorain Clearview 14
CLASS AA
At Tiger Stadium, Massillon
Akron St. Vincent 28, Columbus Watterson 7

Saturday, Nov. 25
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Warren Western Reserve 37, Cincinnati Princeton 6

==========
1973 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 16
CLASS A
At Upper Arlington Stadium
Middletown Fenwick 16, Ashtabula St. John 0
At Arlin Field, Mansfield
Montpelier 19, Newark Catholic 8
CLASS AA
At Tiger Stadium, Massillon
Cleveland Benedictine 23, Lima Central Catholic 0
At Fulton Field, Lancaster
Ironton 7, Reading 0
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Warren Western Reserve 34, Bowling Green 0
At Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati
Youngstown Mooney 34, Cincinnati Moeller 7

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday, Nov. 23
CLASS A
At Selby Stadium, Delaware
Middletown Fenwick 27, Montpelier 7
CLASS AA
At Tiger Stadium, Massillon
Cleveland Benedictine 38, Ironton 13
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Youngstown Mooney 14, Warren Western Reserve 3

==========
1974 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 15
CLASS A
At Donnell Stadium, Findlay
Fremont St. Joseph 6, Windham 0
At Fulton Field, Lancaster
Middletown Fenwick 34, Newark Catholic 6

Saturday, Nov. 16
CLASS AA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Louisville Aquinas 19, Cincinnati Mariemont 7
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Norwalk 20, Akron St. Vincent 7
CLASS AAA
At Ohio Stadium, Columbus
Upper Arlington 27, New Philadelphia 7
Warren Harding 20, Cincinnati Moeller 10

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday, Nov. 22
CLASS A
At Upper Arlington Stadium
Middletown Fenwick 21, Fremont St. Joseph 0
CLASS AA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Norwalk 27, Louisville Aquinas 17
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Warren Harding 41, Upper Arlington 8

==========
1975 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 14
CLASS A
At Arlin Field, Mansfield
Carey 26, Burton Berkshire 24
At Groveport-Madison High School
Newark Catholic 11, Middletown Fenwick 0
CLASS AA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Wyoming 26, Ironton 7
At Baldwin-Wallace College
Cleveland Holy Name 35, Oregon Stritch 0

Saturday, Nov. 15
CLASS AAA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Moeller 28, Findlay 16
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Lakewood St. Edward 19, Newark 7

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday, Nov. 21
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Cincinnati Moeller 14, Lakewood St. Edward 12

Saturday, Nov. 22
CLASS A
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Carey 15, Newark Catholic 7, OT
CLASS AA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Cleveland Holy Name 19, Cincinnati Wyoming 14

==========
1976 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 19
CLASS A
At Daniel Stadium, Lorain
Ashtabula St. John 29, Fostoria St. Wendelin 7
At Upper Arlington Stadium
West Jefferson 16, Newark Catholic 9
CLASS AAA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Moeller 48, Youngstown Mooney 0
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Gahanna Lincoln 28, Lakewood St. Edward 0

Saturday, Nov. 20
CLASS AA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Brookville 6, New Lexington 0
At Baldwin-Wallace College
Elyria Catholic 14, Huron 0

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday, Nov. 26
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Cincinnati Moeller 43, Gahanna Lincoln 5

Saturday, Nov. 27
CLASS A
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
West Jefferson 21, Ashtabula St. John 0
CLASS AA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Elyria Catholic 34, Brookville 10

==========
1977 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 18
CLASS A
At Daniel Stadium, Lorain
Ashtabula St. John 21, Hamler Patrick Henry 7
At Groveport-Madison High School
Crooksville 9, West Jefferson 6
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Canton McKinley 13, Cleveland St. Joseph 6
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Moeller 42, Toledo Central Catholic 14

Saturday, Nov. 19
CLASS AA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Wyoming 17, Canton Central Catholic 0
At Baldwin-Wallace College
Elyria Catholic 7, St. Marys Memorial 6

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday, Nov. 25
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Cincinnati Moeller 14, Canton McKinley 2

Saturday, Nov. 26
CLASS A
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Crooksville 8, Ashtabula St. John 7
CLASS AA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Cincinnati Wyoming 26, Elyria Catholic 14

==========
1978 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 17
CLASS A
At Daniel Stadium, Lorain
Lorain Clearview 19, Fremont St. Joseph 12
At Groveport-Madison High School
Newark Catholic 20, Middletown Fenwick 6
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Berea 6, Zanesville 3
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Princeton 13, Sandusky 11

Saturday, Nov. 18
CLASS AA
At Baldwin-Wallace College
Brookfield 19, St. Marys Memorial 14
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Hamilton Badin 7, New Concord John Glenn 0

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Friday, Nov. 24
CLASS A
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Newark Catholic 21, Lorain Clearview 0
CLASS AA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Brookfield 28, Hamilton Badin 0
CLASS AAA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Princeton 12, Berea 10

==========
1979 STATE PLAYOFF SCORES

STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Nov. 16
CLASS A
At Lima Shawnee Stadium
Covington 20, Tiffin Calvert 0
At Crater Stadium, Dover
Mogadore 23, Crooksville 0
CLASS AA
At Arlin Field, Mansfield
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 27, Fostoria 7
At Groveport-Madison High School
Ironton 21, Hamilton Badin 6

Saturday, Nov. 17
CLASS AAA
At Welcome Stadium, Dayton
Cincinnati Moeller 31, Toledo Whitmer 7
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Parma Padua 12, Massillon Washington 0

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Friday, Nov. 23
CLASS A
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Mogadore 23, Covington 17, OT
CLASS AA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Ironton 7, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 6

Saturday, Nov. 24
CLASS AAA
At The Rubber Bowl, Akron
Cincinnati Moeller 41, Parma Padua 7

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After I do some research, I may have some additional comments about where possibly to find playoff results from later years.

[Gray Fighting Tiger]

On the OHSAA website, there is a link that provides information about state tournament results dating back to 1972 when the playoff system first began. However, that link only provides information about the state seminfinals and state finals.

My question is this. Is there anywhere to find a comprehensive list of ALL playoff games and their results, including regional quarterfinals, regional semifinals, and regional finals? There are some past tournament results on the website, but it only goes back to the late 1990s. I would really like to have a complete history of the OHSAA playoffs.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I think that the short answer to your question is probably no.

However, there are a couple of places where you can get pieces; these might, when put together, give you most of what you're looking for.

1... There is a book entitled "Cheers and Tears: 25 Years of the Ohio High School Football Championships" which covers, as it says, the first 25 years of the playoffs. I have not seen it myself but I've been told that it basically tells which teams played and what the score was, and not much else. It was written by Kane Krizay; last I heard he lived in Medina and still had copies of the book that he'd sell. It might also be available at public libraries etc.

2... The OHSAA used to publish, several times a year, a magazine called "The Ohio High School Athlete". I'm pretty sure it was produced at least through the 80s and 90s. Among other things, it contained results of the football playoffs. Generally speaking, it was intended for coaches and administrators (I think each OHSAA member school got a few copies for free) but anyone who wanted to could subscribe. I would be surprised if the OHSAA has back issues available but maybe some schools (or coaches or whoever) have held onto their copies.

[ironman02]

Thanks for all the great information, Gray Fighting Tiger!