Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

It’s official — the road to the Division VII, Region 23 title runs through Berlin Center.

Western Reserve (9-0) is the top team in the Region 23 computer ratings, which were released Tuesday, and has already clinched the No. 1 overall seed, according to JoeEitel.com.

On Friday, the Blue Devils will meet Wellsville, which is third in Region 23 and has already clinched a home game. A win would give Reserve the outright Inter Tri-County League Tier Two title.

Lowellville (No. 5) has clinched its first playoff spot since 2002, while Southington (No. 7) can clinch its first playoff spot since 2001 with a win on Friday against Pymatuning Valley.

Austintown Fitch (fourth in Division I, Region 1) has also clinched a first-round home game, as have Hubbard (second in Division III, Region 7) and South Range (first in Division VI, Region 19).

Poland (fourth in Region 7) and Crestview (second in Division V, Region 15) have also clinched playoff spots, while the following teams can clinch postseason berths with wins this weekend: Cardinal Mooney (second in Division IV, Region 11), Struthers (third in Region 11), Ursuline (Region 15) and Brookfield (Region 19).

Lakeview (sixth in Region 11), Liberty (eighth in Region 15), Springfield (eighth in Region 19) are also in the top eight after nine weeks.

The top eight teams in Divisions II-VII qualify for the playoffs.

The final computer ratings will be released Sunday afternoon on OHSAA.org.