Heights High Football Starts Playoff Journey Oct. 9

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The Heights High Tigers football team will begin its playoff journey on Oct. 9.

The team will play Stow-Munroe Falls at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9. Stow-Munroe Falls will be the home team.

St. Edward is the No. 1 seed and Mentor is the No. 2 seed in Division 1, Region 1. Canton McKinley is No. 3 and St. Ed's rival St. Ignatius is No. 5. The full playoff bracket for Division 1, Region 1 has been shared online.

Higher seeded teams will have the first opportunity to host playoff games. If that team cannot host their playoff game, the second team can host. Tickets for postseason games are still being discussed by OHSAA and participating schools.

If any team cannot play its scheduled game, due to COVID-19 or other extenuating circumstances, the remaining team will advance automatically.

"According the latest order from the Ohio Department of Health and the Governor, only 15 percent of the stadium’s permanent seating capacity are permitted to attend games, unless the site has been approved for a variance by the Ohio Department of Health. Note that the home team can have its band in attendance for its games, while both teams can have cheerleaders," OHSAA said in a statement on attendance.

In a normal season, 224 high schools qualify for the football postseason, with eight schools from each of the 28 regions earning a bid for a championship. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemc, the playoffs will instead begin Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 and all participating high schools can opt into the postseason.

The Division I state championship game will be played Nov. 13.