Eight schools across Ohio have decided to elevate their football programs to Division I for the upcoming 2026 Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs, a move that reshapes the competitive landscape.
Regional Realignments
The OHSAA has placed five of the new Division I members in Region 1 — Austintown‑Fitch, Cleveland Heights, Elyria, Euclid and Hudson — while three others join Region 2, including Clayton Northmont, Dublin Scioto and Toledo St. John’s Jesuit. Perrysburg and Toledo Whitmer, previously in Region 1, are now slated for Region 2, and schools from Region 3 such as Lebanon, Middletown and Springboro have been shifted to Region 4. Upper Arlington, originally in Region 2, will move to Region 3.
The restructuring raises the total number of Division I football schools to 80, while Division II drops to 98 participants, reflecting the ripple effect of the eight programs opting up from Division II.
Further divisional breakdowns for the fall and winter seasons will be released later this week and next week respectively, giving coaches and athletes a clearer picture of upcoming schedules.
District officials anticipate consolidations within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Youngstown City School District, a development that could affect enrollment figures and future classification decisions.
The association will collect updated enrollment data from the new schools and any consolidated districts on September 10, a deadline that will inform final placement calculations.