The second half of the 2026 high school football regular season begins Sept. 24.
Five weeks of games provide enough of a barometer to revisit our league, region and state championship predictions from Aug. 18 to see which ones have changed.
The regular season concludes Oct. 24, and the playoffs begin Oct. 30.
The state finals are Dec. 3-5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Here are The Dispatch’s updated predictions for central Ohio leagues, regions involving area teams and all seven state finals:
Dave Purpura resets (some of) his league championship predictions
City League-North: East. A 71-0 throttling of Northland last week was the latest reminder this team is for real, but still it will all come down to Week 10 at Linden-McKinley. (Original pick: East)
City League-South: South. Tough to bet against
a loaded defense that already has put the Bulldogs in position to run the table for the regular season. (Original pick: Marion-Franklin)
CCL: Watterson. Five dominant non-league wins are impressive enough, but coming back from 13-0 down against reigning Division IV state champion Cleveland Glenville might say even more about the Eagles’ mettle. (Original pick: Watterson)
OCC-Buckeye: Pickerington Central. For all of their non-league struggles, the Tigers are getting right in league play and could run the table. (Original pick: Central)
OCC-Capital: Big Walnut. A Week 7 clash against Worthington Kilbourne – and the Wolves’ high-powered offense led by quarterback Jackson Szabo – shapes up as one of the games of the year. (Original pick: Big Walnut)
OCC-Cardinal: Hilliard Darby. Even with a close loss to Gahanna Lincoln last week, the Panthers have taken huge steps forward in Brad Burchfield’s second season and face five winnable games in as many weeks. (Original pick: Olentangy)
OCC-Central: Upper Arlington. The Golden Bears will learn a tremendous amount from a tough Week 4 loss to New Albany and win right on into November. (Original pick: UA)
OCC-Ohio: Pickerington North. For all the talk of how great the OCC-Central is every year, four of this division’s six teams enter league play at 5-0 or 4-1. (Original pick: North)
MSL-Buckeye: Bloom-Carroll. A 30-13 win at Fairfield Union last week was the latest reminder that this is the Bulldogs’ league to lose. (Original pick: Bloom-Carroll)
MSL-Cardinal: Fisher Catholic. One of only two teams in the league currently holding a winning record, the Irish are versatile and athletic enough to run the table. (Original pick: Fisher Catholic)
LCL-Cardinal: Johnstown. This championship might ultimately be decided in Week 6 when the Johnnies host Newark Catholic, but Heath will provide challenges throughout. (Original pick: Johnstown)
LCL-Buckeye: Licking Valley. The Panthers have everything it takes to dominate the league and build a tremendous head of steam heading into November. (Original pick: Licking Valley)
CBC-Kenton Trail: London. The Red Raiders will fend off a stiff challenge from Jonathan Alder in Week 7, and that could be the closest game they play the next several weeks. (Original pick: London)
CBC-Mad River: North Union. The Wildcats are showing how much they learned from last year’s run to the Division V, Region 20 final, and they will get revenge on Lewistown Indian Lake in Week 6. (Original pick: Indian Lake)
CBL: Columbus Academy. The Vikings are who we thought they were – they could win out after a 36-14 domination of Granville in Week 4. (Original pick: Academy)
KMAC: Danville. As stated before the season, the young Blue Devils have only improved since last year’s team reached the Division VII, Region 27 final after a 5-5 regular season. This is a state semifinal-caliber team. (Original pick: Danville)
OHC-North: West Jefferson. The Roughriders have reloaded but still will be challenged with late road games at Mechanicsburg and West Liberty-Salem. (Original pick: West Jefferson)
Frank DiRenna revisits league championship predictions
City League-North: Linden. The Panthers are unbeaten at the midway point of the season. Look for them to knock off East in a close battle in the regular-season finale to secure the league title. (Original pick: Northland)
City League-South: West. The Cowboys are in position for an unbeaten regular season under fourth-year coach Eric Robinson. They still have crucial league games with South and Marion-Franklin, each of which also is 2-0 in City-South play. (Original pick: Africentric)
CCL: Watterson. The two-time reigning state champion Eagles remain the elite team in the CCL, although 4-1 DeSales and 5-0 St. Charles will be tough tests. (Original pick: Watterson)
OCC-Buckeye: Pickerington Central. Despite starting 0-3, the Tigers remain one of the favorites in the OCC-Buckeye. Central’s home game against Groveport in Week 8 might determine the league champion. (Original pick: Central)
OCC-Capital: Big Walnut. The Golden Eagles have aspirations of a regional title and beyond. Big Walnut tunes up for the postseason by beating Kilbourne on Oct. 2 for the league title. (Original pick: Big Walnut)
OCC-Cardinal: Olentangy Berlin. The Bears are coming off a solid win at Westerville Central, their final non-league game. With key league games against Darby on Sept. 25 and Thomas Worthington on Oct. 2, look for Berlin to prevail in its pursuit of a fifth consecutive OCC title. (Original pick: Berlin).
OCC-Central: Upper Arlington. The Golden Bears open league play Sept. 25 at Hilliard Bradley in a game that will give the winner an early edge in the league race. (Original pick: Olentangy Liberty)
OCC-Ohio: Pickerington North. The Panthers begin pursuit of a second consecutive league title when they visit Westerville Central on Sept. 25. Games against Grove City on Oct. 9, New Albany on Oct. 16 and Gahanna on Oct. 23 will determine the champion. (Original pick: North)
MSL-Buckeye: Hamilton Township: The Rangers have shown steady improvement under coach Tennyson Varney. They opened league play with a 26-6 win over Amanda-Clearcreek on Sept. 18, and their league games Circleville on Sept. 25 and Bloom-Carroll on Oct. 9 are key contests. (Original pick: Hamilton Township)
MSL-Cardinal: Grove City Christian. Since a 0-3 start, the Eagles have posted back-to-back lopsided shutout wins to get back on track. (Original pick: Grove City Christian)
LCL-Cardinal: Heath. The Bulldogs enter league play at 3-2, including a win over Division V power Columbus Academy. (Original pick: Heath)
LCL-Buckeye: Granville. The experienced Blue Aces are off to a 3-2 start. Granville’s game against unbeaten Licking Valley on Oct. 16 should decide the champion. (Original pick: Granville)
CBC-Kenton Trail: London. The Red Raiders have won three of four games since losing to New Albany in Week 1. London’s game against Jonathan Alder on Oct. 9 should decide the champion. (Original pick: London)
CBC-Mad River: Indian Lake. Seeking a third consecutive title, the Lakers begin league play Sept. 25 against a tough North Union team. Indian Lake plays St. Paris Graham in another key contest Oct. 16. (Original pick: Indian Lake)
CBL: Columbus Academy. The Vikings begin pursuit of a second consecutive league title when they host Bexley on Sept. 25. Academy features several key returnees and is looking more like the team that went 9-3 last season. (Original pick: Academy)
KMAC: Danville. Coach Matt Blum has built a perennial contender. The Blue Devils are off to a 5-0 start and 2-0 record in league play. (Original pick: Danville)
OHC-North: West Jefferson. Despite the loss of several key players to graduation, the Roughriders remain a Division VI power. Their games against Springfield Northeastern on Sept. 25 and Mechanicsburg on Oct. 9 should determine the champion after those three teams shared the title last season. (Original pick: West Jefferson)
Dave Purpura resets his predictions for central Ohio’s regions
Division I, Region 2: Hilliard Bradley. Even with a handful of underclassmen starting, the Jaguars have roared back to prominence with a balanced offense and deep defense. (Original pick: Huber Heights Wayne)
Division I, Region 3: Upper Arlington. If Kilbourne is an understandably trendy pick, UA’s defense makes the Bears old reliable. (Original pick: UA)
Division II, Region 7: Watterson. The Eagles are the pick until they should not be. (Original pick: Watterson)
Division III, Region 11: Licking Valley. The Panthers should have beaten Steubenville last year, and an equally strong team will get past both Jonathan Alder and Steubenville to win it this time. (Original pick: Licking Valley)
Division IV, Region 15: Gnadenhutten Indian Valley. The graduation of Mr. Football Grady Kinsey has not derailed the Braves, who made a strong statement with a 41-13 rout of Steubenville last week. (Original pick: Indian Valley)
Division IV, Region 16: London. I’m sticking with the Red Raiders to oust some strong southwest Ohio teams and win their second regional in three seasons. (Original pick: London)
Division V, Region 18: Coldwater. Why I picked against a Midwest Athletic Conference team in the first place is anyone’s guess. (Original pick: Findlay Liberty-Benton)
Division V, Region 19: Ironton. Recruiting violations that kept the Tigers out of last year’s playoffs have not slowed this juggernaut. (Original pick: Columbus Academy)
Division VI, Region 23: Newark Catholic. The Green Wave have established themselves as the class of the region, although East Knox or West Jefferson reaching the regional final would not be a shock. (Original pick: Centerburg)
Division VII, Region 27: Danville. The Blue Devils outscored their first five opponents 220-45, and although stiffer challenges await in the second half, a lopsided run through the region is entirely possible. (Original pick: Danville)
Frank DiRenna resets his predictions for central Ohio’s regions
Division I, Region 2: Hilliard Bradley. Coach Mike LoParo has the Jaguars in position for a long postseason run; they have won four consecutive games and are atop the regional standings. Look for Bradley to beat Springfield in the regional final. (Original pick: Springfield)
Division I, Region 3: Pickerington North. The Panthers (4-1) are pursuing the program’s second state semifinal berth (2012) and are off to a strong start. Gahanna, UA and Kilbourne could be North’s main opposition. (Original pick: Liberty)
Division II, Region 7: Watterson. The move to Division II from III hasn’t hindered the Eagles’ success, at least not yet. Watterson (5-0) has been dominant and appears headed for a matchup with unbeaten Big Walnut in regional play. (Original pick: Watterson)
Division III, Region 11: Jonathan Alder. The Pioneers are 5-0 and first in the region, ahead of Licking Valley. Jonathan Alder hopes to earn its second state semifinal berth and first since 2006.
Division IV, Region 15: Indian Valley. Indian Valley (5-0) hasn’t missed a beat despite losing last season’s Mr. Football (Grady Kinsey) to graduation. Johnstown could provide a challenge down the road. (Original pick: Buckeye Valley)
Division IV, Region 16: London. The Red Raiders have started to gain momentum, winning three of four games. London is in search of its third state semifinal berth and second in three seasons. (Original pick: London)
Division V, Region 18: Coldwater. The Cavaliers are 4-1, with the loss coming against Division VII unbeaten Minster. Coldwater has moved back to Division V from VI but remains a contender. (Original pick: Coldwater)
Division V, Region 19: Columbus Academy. With its losses coming against Division III Jonathan Alder and Division IV Heath, the Vikings (3-2) appear to be in position to earn their first state semifinal berth since 2003, when they won the Division V state title. (Original pick: Academy)
Division VI, Region 23: West Jefferson. In a region loaded with local contenders, look for the Roughriders to emerge as the champion as they seek their first state semifinal berth since 2021 and first state championship since 1982. (Original pick: Harvest Prep)
Division VII, Region 27: Danville. The Blue Devils have dominated all opponents this season with their lowest-scoring game 38 points in a shutout of Monroeville. Danville is in search of its first state semifinal berth since 2024 and sixth overall. (Original pick: Danville).
Dave Purpura resets his state championship picks
Division I: Lakewood St. Edward 27, Cincinnati Elder 20. St. Edward knocks off a Columbus team in the semifinals for the first time since 2023, then finishes the deal in Canton. (Original pick: St. Edward 28, Cincinnati St. Xavier 21)
Division II: Watterson 34, Toledo Central Catholic 10. I’m biting on this rematch – or re-re-rematch, as it were. For all the changes in Division II, a new chapter is tacked on to a series that includes the past three Division III finals. (Original pick: Watterson 27, Avon 21)
Division III: Licking Valley 27, Youngstown Ursuline 14. Ursuline’s only losses to date are against DeSales and Watterson, but Valley won’t lose at all. (Original pick: Ursuline 34, Licking Valley 20)
Division IV: Shelby 21, Indian Valley 13. I’m sticking with these teams, both of which have been even better than I expected. (Original pick: Shelby 21, Indian Valley 20)
Division V: Coldwater 31, Perry 24. Both of these teams have a knack for making other great teams look average, and they will play the most entertaining final of the seven. (Original pick: Perry 24, Liberty-Benton 21)
Division VI: Kirtland 31, St. Henry 21. If any team in recent years has had the MAC’s number, it’s been Kirtland. St. Henry will edge Newark Catholic in a state semifinal before this clash of titans. (Original pick: St. Henry 35, Liberty Center 21)
Division VII: Maria Stein Marion Local 48, Danville 21. It will be close for a while before the Flyers pull away, 15 wins into a new ride after a 76-game winning streak was snapped at the end of last season. (Original pick: Marion Local 55, Dalton 10)
Frank DiRenna resets his state championship picks
Division I: Elder 20, St. Edward 17. Elder survives a talent-rich Region 4 to earn its first state title since 2003 and third overall. (Original pick: St. Xavier 24, St. Edward 20)
Division II: Watterson 31, Cincinnati Anderson 14. No reason to change my original pick. Watterson is again on a mission, and Anderson stands atop Region 8. (Original pick: Watterson 31, Anderson 14)
Division III: Youngstown Ursuline, 20, Jonathan Alder 10. Ursuline has faced a challenging schedule with its losses coming against CCL powers Watterson and DeSales. Look for the Fighting Irish to earn their first state title since 2010. (Original pick: Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 20, Wapakoneta 10)
Division IV: London 17, Indian Valley 13. I stand by my preseason prediction of the Red Raiders being the last team standing in Division IV. (Original pick: London 17, Indian Valley 13)
Division V: Perry 27, Coldwater 17. Former Dublin Jerome coach Bob Gecewich has the Pirates (5-0) clicking on all cylinders, highlighted by a 31-10 win over Kirtland. Look for Perry to earn its second state title in four seasons under Gecewich. (Original pick: Perry 27, Coldwater 17)
Division VI: Liberty Center 17, Mechanicsburg 16. Liberty Center earns its second consecutive state title after winning in Division V last season. (Original pick: Liberty Center 17, Kirtland 16)
Division VII: Marion Local 28, Danville 21. The Flyers begin a new streak of state titles as they atone for last season’s regional-final loss to St. Henry and beat Danville for the championship. (Original pick: Marion Local 28, Danville 21)
High school sports reporters Frank DiRenna and Dave Purpura can be reached at sports@dispatch.com and at @DispatchPreps on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Resetting central Ohio high school football 2026 championship picks
