If you weren’t at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton this past December, you basically missed the craziest week of football in the Midwest. Seriously. The Ohio high school football playoffs 2024 weren't just about brackets and seedings; they were about snowy fields, massive upsets, and programs finally getting the monkey off their back.
People always talk about the "Big Three"—the private school powerhouses that usually hog the trophies. But 2024 felt different. It felt like the year of the underdog, or at least the year where the public schools decided they’d had enough of the status quo.
The Division I Shockwave: Olentangy Liberty Makes History
Kinda wild when you think about it. Powell Olentangy Liberty had been to the state semifinals three times before (2016, 2017, 2018) and came up empty every single time. Honestly, most folks expected Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller to just steamroll their way to a tenth title. Moeller is Moeller, right? They have the history, the size, and Matt Ponatoski—a kid who threw six touchdowns in a half during the semifinals.
But the Patriots didn't care about the pedigree.
They took down the three-time defending champs, Lakewood St. Edward, in the semis just to get to Canton. Then, they walked into the final and held Moeller to just 14 points. Andrew Leonard was a magician, throwing for 272 yards, and Christian Moulton looked like a Sunday player with three touchdown catches.
It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Olentangy Liberty won 28-14, securing their first-ever state title in their first-ever trip to the finals. The defense was the real story, though. They held every single playoff opponent to 14 points or fewer. In modern high school football? That’s basically impossible.
🔗 Read more: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
Snow, Ice, and Avon's Redemption
If you like "old school" football, the Division II final between Avon and Cincinnati Anderson was your dream. It was freezing. The field was covered in snow. It looked like a scene out of a movie, and the play on the field lived up to the visuals.
Avon had been banging on the door for a decade. Seven trips to the state final four in eight years, and they always seemed to hit a wall—usually a wall named Archbishop Hoban. But after finally slaying that dragon in the semifinals, they had to face a 15-0 Anderson team that looked unbeatable.
Nolan Good, Avon's quarterback, basically decided he was going to win the game with his legs. On a field where most kids were slipping and sliding, he ran for 190 yards. 190! In the snow!
- Final Score: Avon 20, Cincinnati Anderson 13.
- The Key: Two massive 4th-quarter stops by the Avon defense.
- The Result: A perfect 16-0 season and the first state title in program history.
The Small School Giants: Marion Local and Kirtland
You can't talk about the Ohio high school football playoffs 2024 without mentioning the "Small School Dynasty" that is Maria Stein Marion Local. What they did to Jeromesville Hillsdale in the Division VII final was borderline illegal. A 74-0 victory.
Yeah, you read that right. 74 to nothing.
💡 You might also like: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
It’s easy to dismiss Division VII, but Marion Local plays a brand of football that would compete in Division I or II. They don't make mistakes. They don't miss tackles. They are a machine that just keeps winning, and 2024 was just another trophy for the case.
Then you’ve got Kirtland and Coldwater in Division VI. This was the heavyweight fight everyone wanted. These two programs are the gold standard for small-school football in Ohio. This time, Coldwater got the upper hand with a 31-7 win, snapping Kirtland's incredible run and proving that the Midwest Athletic Conference (MAC) is still the toughest league in the country, bar none.
Why This Postseason Felt Different
Usually, you can predict the winners by the end of October. This year? Not a chance. Look at Division IV. Gnadenhutten Indian Valley and Sandusky Perkins put on an absolute clinic. Indian Valley walked away with a 37-36 win. One point! That’s the kind of drama that makes the Ohio playoffs special.
2024 State Champions by Division
| Division | Champion | Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division I | Powell Olentangy Liberty | Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller | 28-14 |
| Division II | Avon | Cincinnati Anderson | 20-13 |
| Division III | Columbus Bishop Watterson | Toledo Central Catholic | 19-14 |
| Division IV | Gnadenhutten Indian Valley | Sandusky Perkins | 37-36 |
| Division V | Ironton | Liberty Center | 28-17 |
| Division VI | Coldwater | Kirtland | 31-7 |
| Division VII | Maria Stein Marion Local | Jeromesville Hillsdale | 74-0 |
The "What Ifs" and Heartbreaks
For every Olentangy Liberty celebrating in the confetti, there's a Moeller or a Toledo Central Catholic wondering what went wrong. Central Catholic was chasing a three-peat in Division III. They’d been the kings of that hill for a while, but Bishop Watterson—who had lost to them in the 2023 final—got their revenge.
Watterson’s defense was suffocating. They forced turnovers, they controlled the clock, and they didn't let the Irish's explosive playmakers get loose. It was a tactical masterclass by the Watterson coaching staff.
📖 Related: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
And then there's Liberty Center in Division V. They were 15-0. They looked like the team of destiny. But Ironton, the "Fighting Tigers," finally climbed back to the top of the mountain for the first time since 1989. It just goes to show that in the Ohio high school football playoffs 2024, records didn't mean a thing once the whistle blew in Canton.
What You Can Learn from the 2024 Season
If you're a coach, a player, or just a die-hard fan looking ahead to next year, there are a few big takeaways from this past season.
First off, defense still wins championships in Ohio. I know, it’s a cliché. But look at Olentangy Liberty. Look at Avon. When the weather gets bad and the lights get bright, you have to be able to stop the run and force field goals instead of touchdowns.
Second, the "private vs. public" debate isn't as one-sided as people think. Yes, the privates are still dominant, but the gap is closing in the upper divisions. Public schools like Avon and Olentangy Liberty are building programs that rival the "big boys" in terms of facilities, coaching, and talent development.
Practical Steps for the Off-Season
- Watch the Tape: If you’re a local athlete, go back and watch the Olentangy Liberty vs. Moeller game. Pay attention to how the Liberty linebackers filled gaps. It’s a clinic.
- Strength and Conditioning: The 2024 playoffs were physical. The teams that won were the ones that didn't wear down in the 4th quarter.
- Attend a Clinic: The OHSAA often hosts coaching clinics that break down the winning schemes from the state finals.
The 2024 season is in the books, but the stories? They’ll be talked about in gyms and diners across Ohio for years. Whether it's the "Snow Bowl" in Division II or the absolute dominance of Marion Local, we witnessed something special.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the 2025 season, start by following the regional realignments. The OHSAA often shifts teams between divisions based on enrollment numbers, which can completely change the playoff landscape before a single ball is snapped. Keep an eye on the rising juniors from this year's playoff run—they'll be the ones holding the trophies next December.