Friday night lights in Ohio aren't just a hobby; they're basically a religion. If you grew up here, you know the drill. The smell of concession stand popcorn, the crisp November air, and the absolute chaos of the OHSAA playoffs. But honestly, the 2025 season felt different. It was the year of the "First-Timers" and the "Dominant Dynasties" colliding in ways nobody actually saw coming.
We saw Lewis Center Olentangy Orange finally climb the mountain. We watched Avon turn a rematch into a statement. And, of course, Kirtland kept being Kirtland. If you're looking for the definitive breakdown of the latest ohio high school football results, you've come to the right place. Let’s get into the weeds of who won, how they did it, and why some of these scores are going to be talked about at diners for the next decade.
The Pioneers Finally Plant Their Flag in Division I
For years, Division I has been the playground of the private school powerhouses. You know the names: St. Edward, St. Ignatius, Moeller, St. Xavier. But 2025 belonged to the public school kids from Lewis Center. Olentangy Orange didn't just win; they went 15-0. That’s perfect. Literally flawless.
They faced Cincinnati St. Xavier in the final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Most "experts" figured the Bombers' playoff pedigree would be too much. Nope.
The Pioneers walked away with a 28-14 victory. Levi Davis was the catalyst, but the defense was the real story. They intercepted St. Xavier on the third play of the game. That set a tone. Even when things got hairy in the fourth quarter, Orange just stayed cool. They ran the ball ten straight times to kill the final five minutes of the clock. It was a masterclass in "closing the door."
Division I Championship Breakdown
- Final Score: Olentangy Orange 28, Cincinnati St. Xavier 14
- The Hero: Lucas Fickel. Two touchdowns. Pure grit.
- The Turning Point: That opening interception by Zane Konczak. St. X never quite recovered their rhythm after that.
Avon Proves 2024 Was No Fluke in Division II
If you were at the 2024 final, you remember the snow. You remember Avon grinding out a 20-13 win over Cincinnati Anderson. Fast forward to December 2025, and it was the same two teams, but a very different game.
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No snow this time. Just a lot of points.
Avon won 37-20. Senior quarterback Blake Elder was basically a cheat code, throwing four touchdown passes in the first half alone. That tied a Division II state championship record. Anderson’s Owen Scalf actually threw for more yards (376 to be exact), but Avon’s balance was too much. Quiante Smith added 180 yards on the ground. When you have a quarterback throwing dimes and a running back gashing the defense for six yards a carry, you're almost impossible to stop.
The "Tarblooders" and the "Hornets" Keep Winning
Cleveland Glenville is officially a dynasty. There, I said it.
They’ve now won three state titles in four years. They absolutely dismantled Shelby 45-7 in the Division IV final. It wasn't even close from the jump. Jaquan Gibson returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown—the longest in OHSAA state final history. When Glenville plays like that, they aren't just a high school team; they look like a small college squad.
Then there’s Kirtland. Tiger LaVerde is a wizard.
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Kirtland beat Hopewell-Loudon 41-6 to claim their eighth state title. John Silvestro was the MVP of that one, racking up 255 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Think about that for a second. That's a Division VI record. Kirtland has been to the state final eight years in a row. It’s getting ridiculous at this point, but you have to respect the consistency.
Notable Scores Across the Divisions
It wasn't just the big schools making noise. The ohio high school football results from the lower divisions showed some serious defensive clinics.
Division III: Bishop Watterson's Perfection
Columbus Bishop Watterson finished a 14-0 season by shutting out Toledo Central Catholic 30-0. Shutting out a team like Central Catholic in a state final is nearly unheard of. Drew Bellisari capped his career with 250 passing yards and a trophy. They’ve now won 30 games in a row. That’s a lot of winning.
Division V: Liberty Center's Dominance
Liberty Center took care of business against Wheelersburg with a 35-3 win. It was a defensive struggle that turned into a blowout late. Liberty Center’s physical style of play just wore Wheelersburg down by the third quarter.
Division VII: St. Henry Returns to the Top
St. Henry took down Jeromesville Hillsdale 37-3. For a program with a massive history, this felt like a "we're back" moment for the MAC (Mid-American Conference).
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Why These Results Matter for 2026
Ohio high school football doesn't have an "offseason." It just has a "weight room season." Looking at these results, we can already see the narratives forming for next year.
Olentangy Orange is losing a massive senior class, including Davis and Fickel. Can they reload, or was this a once-in-a-generation lightning strike? Meanwhile, Avon looks like they could be the first Division II team to three-peat in a long time if they find a replacement for Elder.
The biggest takeaway from the latest ohio high school football results is the shift in power. The Central Ohio region (Columbus area) is starting to flex its muscles against the traditional Northeast and Southwest powers. Seeing Orange and Watterson both take home hardware suggests the balance of power is moving toward the middle of the state.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Recruits
If you're following the trail of these results for recruiting or just pure fandom, here is what you should be doing right now:
- Check the All-State Lists: The OHSAA and various media outlets (like MaxPreps and On3) release their All-Ohio teams in late December and early January. This is where you find the underclassmen who helped teams like Avon and Glenville reach the summit.
- Monitor Transfer Portals (Yes, even in High School): Keep an eye on the big-name programs. Often, a big state championship run attracts talent from surrounding districts looking for that same spotlight.
- Watch the 2026 Schedule Releases: Most schools finalize their non-conference schedules by February. If you want to see a rematch of Olentangy Orange vs. St. Edward, that’s when you’ll find out if it’s happening.
- Review the Film: If you're a player, go to the OHSAA website and look at the "Stats" and "Recap" links for the state finals. Seeing how Glenville runs their screen game or how Kirtland pulls their guards can be a free coaching clinic.
The 2025 season is in the books, but in Ohio, the conversation about who is "No. 1" never actually stops. It just moves from the field to the local barbershop.