Hilliard's three football programs will compete against each other for postseason spots in the same OHSAA playoff region again this fall, but the bracket around them is getting more crowded.
Davidson, Darby and Bradley all remain in Division I, Region 2 for the 2026 playoffs, according to the Columbus Dispatch's Dave Purpura. The region now holds 20 schools after the Ohio High School Athletic Association approved eight programs opting up to Division I in June, expanding the division from 72 to 80 teams statewide.
The biggest local change: Dublin Scioto opted up from Division II and landed in Region 2. The Irish had originally been assigned to Division II, Region 7 before requesting the move. They are the only local school that asked to jump a division.
Who's in Region 2
The full 20-team region includes Beavercreek, Centerville, Central Crossing, Clayton Northmont, Dublin Coffman, Dublin Jerome, Dublin Scioto, Grove City, Hilliard Bradley, Hilliard Darby, Hilliard Davidson, Huber Heights Wayne, Kettering Fairmont, Marysville, Miamisburg, Perrysburg, Springfield, Toledo St. John's, Toledo Whitmer and Westland.
Central Crossing and Grove City also moved into Region 2 this cycle. Upper Arlington was initially shifted from Region 3 to Region 2 when alignments were announced in April but was returned to Region 3 in June after the opt-up approvals reshuffled the map.
Statewide changes
Thirty-seven schools across Ohio moved up a division for 2026, driven by a new two-year base enrollment cycle and competitive balance adjustments. Division I's expansion pushed Division II down from 106 to 98 schools.
The bracket is not fully locked.
The OHSAA set Sept. 10 as the deadline to collect enrollment data tied to anticipated school consolidations in the Cleveland and Youngstown districts. Further reclassifications could follow.
What's next
Davidson opens its season Aug. 21 at home against Mansfield Senior. The Wildcats, Panthers and Jaguars now know the 17 other programs they'll be jockeying against for a playoff berth once the regular season wraps.
