Ohio High School football state championships preview and picks

COLUMBUS – The state finals of the OHSAA State Tournament kicks off on Thursday. Only 14 teams remain and they will face off against each other this weekend at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to the right to be state champion in the state of Ohio.

Lettermen Row has a preview and picks for all seven Ohio High School football state championship games.

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No. 2 Avon vs No. 4 Anderson

Game Capsule: The only matchup of top-5 teams in the OHSAA State Championships. Avon (Ohio) is one of the most well-rounded teams in the state of Ohio. Offensively, the Eagles are led by 2025 Kent State quarterback signee and Ohio Mr. Football finalist Nolan Good. Avon also have 2026 four-star athlete and Ohio State target Jakob Weatherspoon on the defensive side of the ball.

Cincinnati (Ohio) Anderson has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the state of Ohio the past several seasons but the Raptors also have a stout defense. 2027 four-star EDGE Antwoine Higgins is the top prospect to know for Anderson. This game will likely come down to if the Anderson offense can move the ball against the Avon defense, if they can this could be the best game of the weekend.

Score Prediction: Avon 35, Anderson 30

Win Probability: Avon 56%, Anderson 44%

Lettermen Row pick: Avon over Anderson

No. 3 Marion Local vs Hillsdale

Game Capsule: Maria Stein (Ohio) Marion Local is the best small school high school football program in the state of Ohio. The Flyers have won 63 straight games including 23 straight playoff games. Marion Local has won three straight OHSAA Division VII State Championship and are the favored to win a fourth this weekend.

Hillsdale (Ohio) is making their State Championship game debut. The Falcons are 14-1 this season and averaging almost 40 points per game. The question is whether or not Hillsdale has the defense to slow down Marion Local.

Score Prediction: Marion Local 48, Hillsdale 6

Win Probability: Marion Local 100%, Hillsdale 0%

Lettermen Row pick: Marion Local over Hillsdale

No. 7 Bishop Watterson vs. No. 8 Toledo Central Catholic

Game Capsule: Another top-10 matchup in the OHSAA State Championships. Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic is in search of its third straight state championship and second at the Division III level. The Irish have a star-studded defense that features 2026 four-star cornerback and Ohio State target Victor Singleton. Central Catholic also has a few player makers on the offensive side of the ball in 2026 three-star tight end Preston Fryzel and 2026 wide receiver Sharad Vaughn.

Columbus (Ohio) Bishop Watterson fell to Central Catholic in the State Championship game last season. The Eagles have a strong offensive line anchored by 2026 offensive tackle Pete Eglitis. Bishop Watterson has scored 20 or more points in every game this season. Central Catholic held the Eagles to just seven points in their matchup last season, however.

Score Prediction: Central Catholic 26, Bishop Watterson 21

Win Probability: Central Catholic 60%, Bishop Watterson 40%

Lettermen Row pick: Bishop Watterson over Central Catholic

No. 1 Archbishop Moeller vs No. 11 Olentangy Liberty

Game Capsule: The Division I OHSAA State Championship game is another top-25 matchup. Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller has been the most dominate team in the state of Ohio this season. The Crusaders lone loss was by a touchdown to Mallard Creek out of North Carolina. Moeller has scored over 28 points in 14 of their 15 games. 2026 On300 quarterback and Ohio Mr. Football finalist Matt Ponatoski is QB1 for the Crusaders.

Powell (Ohio) Olentangy Liberty has a Mr. Football finalist under center as well in 2025 quarterback Andrew Leonard. The Patriots also have a strong defense. They have only allowed 20 or more points in three games this season. The battle between the Archbishop Moeller offense and the Olentangy Liberty defense will decide this game.

Score Prediction: Archbishop Moeller 42, Olentangy Liberty 14

Win Probability: Archbishop Moeller 92%, Olentangy Liberty 8%

Lettermen Row pick: Archbishop Moeller over Olentangy Liberty

No. 14 Ironton vs No. 20 Liberty Center

Game Capsule: The fourth and final top-25 matchup of the OHSAA State Championships. Ironton (Ohio) is one of the most talented small school teams in the state of Ohio. The Fighting Tigers offense is led by 2025 Missouri wide receiver signee Shaun Terry while 2025 Penn State safety signee Josh Johnson sets the tone on defense. Ironton averaging over 40 points per game this season and giving up less than two touchdowns a game on defense.

Liberty Center (Ohio) is another strong small school high school football program from Northwest Ohio. The Tigers have scored over 21 points in every game this season and only allowed 21 or more once. Additionally, Liberty Center lost in the state finals last season so they’ll be looking to bounce back.

Score Prediction: Ironton 35, Liberty 27

Win Probability: Ironton 64%, Liberty 36%

Lettermen Row pick: Ironton over Liberty

No. 21 Coldwater vs Kirtland

Game Capsule: Coldwater (Ohio) comes from the same conference as the aforementioned Marion Local Flyers. The Cavaliers are one only two teams to hold Marion Local under 40 points this season. Additionally, their offense has scored over 20 points in all but one game this season which was the loss to Marion Local. Coldwater won the Division VI state title in 2020 and they will look to win another on Saturday.

Kirtland (Ohio) is the defending OHSAA Division VI State Champions. The Hornets have becoming one of the top high school football programs in the state of Ohio under head coach Tiger LaVerde. Kirtland has scored 30 or more points in all but one game this season with quarterback Jake LaVerde. The Hornets have only allowed 20 or more points twice this season.

Score Prediction: Coldwater 35, Kirtland 20

Win Probability: Coldwater 76%, Kirtland 24%

Lettermen Row pick: Kirtland over Coldwater

Sandusky Perkins vs Indian Valley

Game Capsule: Sandusky (Ohio) Perkins had one of the more impressive wins last week upsetting Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville 13-11 in the state semifinals. Perkins is a well-round team. 2025 three-star wide receiver and Michigan State signee Braylon Collier is their top playmakers but they have several weapons. 2025 Harvard linebacker signee Mikey Young sets the tone for Perkins defensively.

Gnadenhutten (Ohio) Indiana Valley is led by 2026 running back and Ohio Mr. Football finalist Grady Kinsey. He has amassed 3,031 yards on 263 carries with 45 touchdowns in 14 games this season. The Braves 29-20 win over Cincinnati (Ohio) Taft was the first time this season they have not scored at least 40 points. Indiana Valley will be looking to put up points and run the ball with Kinsey.

Score Prediction: Perkins 40, Indian Valley 20

Win Probability: Perkins 78%, Indian Valley 22%

Lettermen Row pick: Perkins over Indian Valley