Midwest Playoffs Finalized; Ohio Titles Dec. 4–6

High school football playoff brackets across the Midwest were finalized this week, with most first-round games scheduled for Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Ohio’s OHSAA released full regional pairings outlining 12-team regions in which the top four seeds receive first-round byes, higher seeds host through the first three rounds, regional finals and state semifinals will be held at neutral sites, and state title games are scheduled for Dec. 4–6 in Canton. Michigan’s MHSAA announced district semifinal matchups for Oct. 31–Nov. 1, and Pennsylvania’s District 9 released its playoff brackets and seedings. Illinois’ IHSA first-round pairings include marquee matchups such as No. 21 Oswego East at No. 12 Bolingbrook, No. 1 Richmond-Burton hosting North Boone, and No. 30 East Moline United at No. 3 St. Charles North. Regional outlets published divisional previews, game sites and ticket information as opening-round previews roll out. Separately, Knox senior Myles McLaughlin rushed for 469 yards and seven touchdowns in a 50-21 sectional win and now needs 272 yards to break Indiana’s all-time career rushing record.