By Joe Scalzo

When the OHSAA expanded the playoffs to include eight teams in each region in 1999, one of the selling points was it would ensure almost every state-caliber team would make the postseason.

That didn’t always happen when the playoffs started in 1972. Back then, only four teams qualified in each division — and there were only three divisions. It’s a safe bet there were more than 12 teams capable of winning a state championship in 1972.

It’s much different now.

Of the 715 schools that played football last year in Ohio, 192 made the playoffs — about 27 percent. That percentage is still pretty low compared to some other states — about 40 percent make it in Texas, Illinois and Florida, while half advance in Illinois and Wisconsin — but is it too low?

Some people would like to see the OHSAA add a few more divisions, so more teams would qualify. I’m not a fan of this idea since a lot of programs view the playoffs as a destination — instead of a starting point — and I’m afraid there would be even less motivation for teams to play a challenging regular-season schedule.

On the other hand, I do think the state needs to do something about the set-up in Div. I, where teams such as Boardman (640 boys in grades 10-12), Fitch (668) and Warren Harding (682) compete in the same division as Mentor (1,148) and Cleveland St. Ignatius (1,086).

(But that’s another column.)

Since this is the 10th season under the new format, I decided to investigate whether expanding to eight teams in each region had a noticeable effect on which teams won state championships.

Or, to put it more succinctly, are No. 5-8 seeds winning it all? And if so, should we expand the playoffs further?

Before I answer that question, I’m going to hit you with a bunch of statistics, so bear with me.

UWhen the OHSAA tournament had four qualifiers per region between 1985 and 1998, 75 state champions were crowned.

Of those 75 champions, 48 finished first in their region in the final OHSAA computer rankings, 16 finished second, seven finished third and four finished fourth.

USince the 1999 expansion, there have been 54 champions, and 24 of those schools finished first in their region, 15 finished second, five finished third, three finished fourth, three finished fifth, one finished sixth, two finished seventh and one finished eighth.

St. Ignatius (a No. 7 seed in Div. I) and Mentor Lake Catholic (a No. 5 in Div. III) were the first two lower seeds to win state titles — both in 2001. St. Henry was the first No. 8 seed to win it all, claiming the Div. V crown in 2004.

Here’s what’s interesting:

UFrom 1972 to 1999, the first or second seed won a state title 72 percent of the time (39 out of 54).

USince the expansion, the first or second seed still wins the state title 72 percent of the time (54 out of 75).

Either way, the top two seeds are winning almost three out of every four titles.

So here’s my conclusions:

UThe expansion was a good thing, since seven lower seeds (13 percent) have won crowns since 1999.

Those teams wouldn’t have made the playoffs under the old format.

UThe OHSAA’s computer ratings do a pretty good job of deciphering the top teams in each region.

UWe don’t need more expansion.

There are still some 9-1 teams that get left out, but my feeling is, if you’re not good enough to make it in the top eight in your region, you’re almost certainly not good enough to win a state title. And that’s what the postseason is about.

Isn’t it?

Power poll

Big schools: 1. Ursuline, 2. Mooney, 3. Howland, 4. Poland, 5. Boardman. HM: Hubbard, Liberty.

Here’s why ranking teams is so maddening: Poland beat Hubbard, Hubbard beat Howland and Howland beat Poland. So which team goes where?

The answer: I have no idea.

Small schools: 1. McDonald, 2. LaBrae, 3. Girard, 4. Crestview, 5. South Range. HM: Leetonia.

Quick hits

I don’t care what Christopher Walken says, I gotta have less cowbell. Those things were driving me nuts last Friday at Lakeview. ... It made me laugh to hear Boardman’s band play Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall.” For those of you who aren’t familiar with the song, here’s a few lyrics: “We don’t need no education. We don’t need no thought control. .... Teachers leave the kids alone.” ... Welcome back, Howland. ... North Canton Hoover gives you a free slice of pizza and pop in the press box. For all you Valley schools looking to score more media attention, please take note of this. ... Major kudos to Poland for being willing to schedule Steubenville. The Bulldogs are one of the few area programs (outside of Mooney, Ursuline and Warren Harding, who don’t have much choice) willing to play strong non-league opponents even if it means they might lose.

X Joe Scalzo covers sports for The Vindicator. Write him at scalzo@vindy.com.