The final week of the high school football regular season means a great deal of drama across the CBUS-area. Here’s a list of our top five contests that should provide great competition on Friday night and will definitely have an impact on the playoffs that follow.

Linden-McKinley (8-1) at East (8-1)
This game at Harley Field will decide the City League North crown. Linden, who lost their first game of the season last week in overtime to Northland, can grab a share of the title if they beat East (along with Northland if the Vikings beat Beechcroft). The Tigers fell in a non-conference game to Whitehall in Week Two.

Linden needs a win to ensure that they make the playoffs in DIII, Region 11, while East has already qualified in DIV, Region 15, but could earn a bye next week with a victory.

Independence (6-3) at Walnut Ridge (6-3)
The battle for the City League South title is at stake in this matchup. Walnut Ridge has not lost in League play, so a win grabs the uncontested crown. If Independence wins, they will share the title (along with Africentric if the Nubians win at Eastmoor). 

Walnut Ridge will lock up a playoff spot in DII, Region 7 with a win Friday night. The Stars are not in the same position. They sit in the precarious 12th spot in DIII, Region 11. The top 12 teams in each region make the playoffs, with the top four getting a bye in Week 11.  

Olentangy Orange (9-0) at Olentangy Liberty (6-3)
Olentangy Orange and Bishop Watterson have been ranked at the top of Central Ohio rankings almost all of this season. Undefeated Orange is assured of the first spot in DI, Region 3, but Friday’s game at Liberty will determine who wins the OCC Capital.

Having lost their first three games of the season, the defending DI state-champion Patriots have reeled off six straight wins. A win for Liberty can’t unseat Orange at the region’s top spot, but it could ensure a bye next week.

Granville (6-3) at Mount Vernon (6-3)
Granville travels to Mount Vernon Friday in a game between Licking County League foes. Neither can win the League’s Buckeye Division (undefeated Licking Valley has that locked up), but this is a key battle with playoff implications.

The host Yellow Jackets, who haven’t won more than two games the past four seasons, have a chance to clinch a playoff spot in DII, Region 7 with a win. Granville, who sits in 9th place in Region III, Region 11, can’t lock up a postseason slot with a victory, but they can put the odds in their favor, possibly to host a game next week.

Circleville (6-3) at Bloom-Carroll (7-2)
Circleville won their first five games this season before falling in their next three. The Tigers righted the ship last week with a win over Liberty Union. Bloom-Carroll lost in two of the first three weeks of the season, but have won six straight.

A Bloom-Carroll win ensures at least a share of the MSL-Buckeye with Hamilton Township, who the Bulldogs beat last Friday.

Bloom-Carroll has clinched a playoff spot in DIII, Region 11, but could move up from the sixth spot to earn a bye with a win. Circleville, currently 8th in DIV, Region 15, controls its own destiny as to earning a postseason position, and could, most likely, host a game next Friday with a win.