Week Nine of the high school football season is upon us with playoff positioning at the top of concerns in the Central Ohio area. Here’s what we’ll be looking for this week.

Best Games of the Week: 

Grove City (6-2) at Gahanna (7-1)
Host Gahanna has won five straight, Grove City has lost two of their last three. Gahanna is fighting for an OCC-Ohio title with Pick North. Both are undefeated in the Ohio with their game coming up next week.

Hillard Davidson (6-2) at Olentangy Liberty (6-2)
Liberty can win the OCC-Central if they win this week and beat cross-town rival Orange next week. Davidson and Upper Arlington can get there with two wins each and some help. 

Delaware (6-2) at Westland (7-1)
Westland is 5-0 in the OCC-Capital and would like to remain undefeated in the Capital when they match up next week at Big Walnut, who is also 5-0. Delaware would like to get a win to be in a position to host a playoff game in Week Eleven.

Best City League Game:

Walnut Ridge (8-0) at Briggs (5-3)
The last time a City League team went 10-0 in the regular season was Walnut Ridge in 2019. Remaining undefeated will be a challenge this week for the Scots. Briggs has lost only one at home.

Best Chances for Winless Team to Grab First One:

Lakewood (1-7) at Newark Catholic (0-8)

Longest Trip by an Area Team:

Harvest Prep (6-1) at St. Cincinnati La Salle (6-2)
For the second week in a row, the Warriors win the “travel” award, going 120 miles to Cincinnati. Last week was 134 miles to Akron.

Shortest Trip for the Away Team:

Linden-McKinley (5-3) at Mifflin (0-8) (Thursday)
The Panthers go just 4.6 miles for their City League game with the Punchers Thursday.