Massillon Washington shut out Big Walnut 21-0 in the third round of the 2026 Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs, advancing with a defensive performance that kept their rivals scoreless. The Tigers’ victory was one of several notable results across the state as teams fought for spots in the quarterfinals.
Massillon’s defense held firm throughout the game, preventing Big Walnut from mounting any sustained drives. This clean sheet followed strong offensive displays from other Division II teams, with Avon and Toledo Central Catholic both winning by large margins. Avon dominated Olmsted Falls 49-0, while Toledo Central Catholic put up 54 points against Oregon Clay.
In Division I, the competition remained tight. Lakewood St. Edward overpowered Hudson 38-14, but Mentor edged Canton McKinley by a single point, 16-13. The Region 3 matchups produced close games with Olentangy Liberty squeaking past Gahanna Lincoln 14-10 and Pickerington North narrowly defeating Upper Arlington by the same scoreline.
Cincinnati’s Region 4 continued to deliver high-scoring contests. Elder beat St. Xavier 27-23, while Princeton outlasted Moeller 40-36 in a four-point thriller. These scores reflect a season where Cincinnati teams have shown offensive firepower and resilience.
Other Division II matchups included Macedonia Nordonia’s narrow 23-21 win over Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit and Medina Highland’s shutout 32-0 of Mayfield. Watterson also advanced with a 45-12 win against New Albany, indicating their offensive strength.
In the third round of Division III, games were decided by narrow margins. Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin defeated Garfield Heights 14-7, while Youngstown Ursuline scored 50 points against Hunting Valley University School’s 21. Ontario and Wapakoneta both won their games in Region 10, 38-21 and 28-7 respectively.
East defeated Licking Valley 36-33 in a high-scoring game in Region 11, while Steubenville edged Dover 21-14. Bellbrook narrowly beat Washington Court House Miami Trace 24-21, and Tippecanoe claimed a one-point win over Cincinnati McNicholas, 28-27.
Division IV saw Beloit West Branch overcoming Rocky River 21-12, and Chesterland West Geauga beating Streetsboro 14-7. Bellville Clear Fork scored 35 points against Ottawa-Glandorf’s 9, and Shelby won 20-14 over Sandusky Perkins. Indian Valley advanced with a 35-21 victory against Uhrichsville Claymont, while New Lexington overcame Millersburg West Holmes 36-30. London shut out Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy 14-0, and Urbana defeated Springfield Kenton Ridge 27-20.
In Division V, Girard won 39-26 against Barnesville, and Perry shut out Garrettsville Garfield 45-0. Archbold beat LaGrange Keystone 39-8, Coldwater won 26-7 over Pemberville Eastwood, Beverly Fort Frye defeated Columbus Academy 19-7, and Ironton blanked Wheelersburg 42-0. Middletown Fenwick and Waynesville also advanced with respective wins of 27-13 and 14-7.
Division VI featured decisive wins by Canfield South Range (56-7 over Hanoverton United) and Liberty Center (51-6 against Columbus Grove). Kirtland beat Jeromsville Hillsdale 36-27, Carey edged Delta 24-18, Sugarcreek Garaway defeated Waterford 29-25, and Woodsfield Monroe Central won 43-14 over Hannibal River. Cincinnati Deer Park scored 50 points against Mechanicsburg’s 28, and St. Henry won 38-14 over Versailles.
Division VII results included Cuyahoga Heights shutting out Mogadore 30-0, New Middletown Springfield winning 27-7 against McDonald, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon beating McComb 33-0, and Leipsic defeating Sycamore Mohawk 26-14. Danville blanked Toronto 46-0, and Willow Wood Symmes Valley scored 56 points against Shadyside’s 22. Maria Stein Marion Local won 27-9 over Minster, and New Bremen outscored DeGraff Riverside 40-33.
These results set the stage for quarterfinal matchups across all divisions, with Massillon Washington’s defense standing out as a benchmark for teams aiming to advance further in the 2026 OHSAA playoffs.
According to Yahoo Sports.
