2025 Playoff Forecast: Division 7, Region 27

With just three weeks remaining in the 2025 football regular season, it’s time to start talking postseason. 

And with that in mind, it's time to take an early look at where our coverage teams could possibly finish in their respective regions.

Keep in mind, a lot of things are going to happen between now and the final snap of week 10.

When looking at the computer ratings and remaining schedules, even the general football fan can assume some teams have "unofficially" locked themselves into a playoff spot. Now by the end of week 9, things will begin to become more clearer and become more official.

If you would like read up on how the OHSAA's Harbin Computer Rankings System works, click here.

For this forecast, our panel of high school football contributors have listed what we project to unfold over the course of the final weeks of the regular season. And for added measure, we have also added their remaining games and hypotheticals for some teams if they are to win or lose a particular game down the stretch.

Note: Teams are listed according to the current standings in the region, based on Joe Eitel's website. Our panel has taken the top 12 teams and other teams who we feel have the best chance at a playoff spot and listed a projected a final number, a final seed, and their remaining games.

Last season, our panel had mixed success. Overall, there were just 3 correct finishes predicted out of the 16 qualifying teams. The panel did correctly the first 3 seeds and correctly predicted the final 5 of the 8 teams that finished in the top 8, just not in order. So this just goes to show that our football forecasts can be as useless as a weather forecasts or we need to stop letting the dog make 50/50 picks.

(1) Hillsdale Falcons

Current Record: 7-0

Projected Final Record: 10-0

Projected Final Harbin Number: 16.9000

Projected Finish: 1st

Remaining Games: at Northwestern, vs. Rittman, at Norwayne

The Falcons should easily coast to the No. 1 spot in the region. They'll get plenty of points in their final two games to lock up the top seed.

(2) Fisher Catholic Irish

Current Record: 6-1

Projected Final Record: 9-1

Projected Final Harbin Number: 16.7775

Projected Finish: 2nd

Remaining Games: vs. Berne Union, at Grove City Christian, at Manchester

The Irish should be favored to win all their final three games. A win over Manchester in week 10 should bring with it a bunch of Level 2 points to solidify them at No. 2.

(3) Waterford Wildcats

Current Record: 5-2

Projected Final Record: 8-2

Projected Final Harbin Number: 15.4459

Projected Finish: 3rd

Remaining Games: vs. Federal Hocking, vs. Trimble, at Belpre

The Wildcats should win out. Their biggest test will be next week against Trimble and a win over the Tomcats will bring in enough points to put the Wildcats in the top 4.

(4) Strasburg-Franklin Tigers

Current Record: 5-2

Projected Final Record: 7-3

Projected Final Harbin Number: 10.3500

Projected Finish: 7th

Remaining Games: vs. Buckeye Trail, vs. Newcomerstown, at Tuscarawas Catholic

The Tigers will get their big test next week when they host Newcomerstown. They will be underdogs in that game. A win vaults the Tigers in to the top 4, a loss will most likely make them the No. 7 seed.

(5) Symmes Valley Vikings

Current Record: 6-1

Projected Final Record: 9-1 or 8-2

Projected Final Harbin Number: 14.2641 (win over Notre Dame)

Projected Finish: 4th

Projected Final Harbin Number: 8.7373 (loss to Notre Dame)

Projected Finish: 9th

Remaining Games: vs. Sciotoville East, vs. Notre Dame, at South Gallia

The Vikings are a top 9 finish no matter what from this point. A win against either South Gallia or Notre Dame will guarantee them a bye and a home game in the playoffs.

(6) Trimble Tomcats

Current Record: 5-2

Projected Final Record: 7-3

Projected Final Harbin Number: 10.7000

Projected Finish: 5th

Remaining Games: vs. Reedsville Eastern, at Waterford, at Federal Hocking

The Tomcats will be the underdog against Waterford next Friday. But even if they lose, they're still getting a home game in week 11.

(7) Crestline Bulldogs

Current Record: 5-2

Projected Final Record: 5-5

Projected Final Harbin Number: 7.6580

Projected Finish: 9th

Remaining Games: at Conotton Valley, vs. North Baltimore, at Lucas

There is strong chance the Bulldogs will lose out to finish the season. But they will manage the No. 9 spot in the rankings. They can thank their early season wins for racking up Level 2 points.

(8) Danville Blue Devils

Current Record: 4-3

Projected Final Record: 5-5

Projected Final Harbin Number: 7.4000

Projected Finish: 10th

Remaining Games: at Centerburg, at Fredericktown, vs. East Knox

Danville will be underdogs in their next two games and likely lose. But as long as they win week 10, they'll be the No.10 spot.

(9) Conotton Valley Rockets

Current Record: 5-2

Projected Final Record: 7-3

Projected Final Harbin Number: 10.5602

Projected Finish: 6th

Remaining Games: at Crestline, vs. Steubenville Catholic, at Mathews

The Rockets should win out in their final three games. This will solidify them in the top 8 and get a first round home game.

(10) South Gallia Rebels

Current Record: 5-2

Projected Final Record: 6-4

Projected Final Harbin Number: 6.8291

Projected Finish: 11th

Remaining Games: vs. Green, at Eastern, vs. Symmes Valley

The Rebels will make the postseason, but they'll be on the road. However, a win over Symmes Valley would push them into the No. 8 spot of the bracket.

(11) Catholic Central Crusaders

Current Record: 4-3

Projected Final Record: 5-5

Projected Final Harbin Number: 8.4736

Projected Finish: 8th

Remaining Games: at Fairport, at Conotton Valley, vs. East Technical

The Crusaders have a couple big games coming up the next two weeks. They'll be the underdogs for those, but doesn't change the fact a win would greatly improve their finishing place.

(12) Hannibal River Pilots

Current Record: 5-2

Projected Final Record: 6-4

Projected Final Harbin Number: 5.731

Projected Finish: Out

Remaining Games: at Shenandoah, vs. Caldwell, at Frontier

River could be in trouble as their defeated opponents are going to struggle to get them points the next three weeks. They will need to win one of their next two games to earn a playoff spot.

(13) Corning Miller Falcons

Current Record: 3-4

Projected Final Record: 4-6

Projected Final Harbin Number: 6.0500

Projected Finish: Out

Remaining Games: at Fairfield Christian Acad., vs. Bishop Rosecrans, at Millersport

Miller will need to beat Bishop Rosecrans or FCA to get into the postseason.

(14) Bishop Rosecrans Bishops

Current Record: 3-4

Projected Final Record: 6-4

Projected Final Harbin Number: 6.1500

Projected Finish: 12th

Remaining Games: at Corning Miller, vs. Millersport, at Berne Union

If Rosecrans can win out, they will earn the final spot in the region. Their win over Fairfield Christian will be the difference in them making the postseason.

(15) Fairfield Christian Acad. Knights

Current Record: 3-4

Projected Final Record: 6-4

Projected Final Harbin Number: 5.8000

Projected Finish: Out

Remaining Games: at Millersport, vs. Berne Union, at Grove City Christian

The Knights' loss to Bishop Rosecrans will most likely haunt them this season. Their only chance at a postseason bid is for teams ahead of them to stumble.