By Kevin Connelly

kconnelly@vindy.com

The wait to learn who’s in and who’s out of the high school football playoffs officially ends at 2 p.m. today, when the Ohio High School Athletic Association releases brackets for each of the seven divisions across the state.

The Mahoning Valley is expected to have 14 teams in the postseason, according to computer ratings guru Joe Eitel.

Wellsville is currently projected as the fifth seed in Division VII, Region 23, but news of a possible ineligible player used could eliminate the Tigers from the postseason.

OHSAA director of information services Tim Stried responded late Saturday by email to an inquiry from The Vindicator.

“The situation involving Wellsville is still ongoing,” Stried wrote. “The final computer ratings will be run overnight without assessing any forfeitures from Wellsville. The matter will continue to be under investigation on Monday.”

Western Reserve (9-1) has clinched a home game in round one, but its opponent will depend on the status of Wellsville. Blue Devils head coach Andy Hake said Saturday that he hasn’t been informed of any further information and just hopes he doesn’t have to prepare for two separate opponents, should the OHSAA decision extend beyond today.

One possible opponent is Mathews (7-3), which won the Northeastern Athletic Conference and is making its first postseason appearance under coach Mike Palumbo. The Mustangs are currently projected as an eighth seed, but could move up to seventh if Wellsville is removed.

The area’s two undefeated teams are expected to have two vastly different roads to Columbus.

Hubbard (10-0) will be the top seed in Division III, Region 7, while McDonald (10-0) may not even be at home for the opening round in Division VI, Region 19. The Eagles are projected to play Tallmadge (6-4). The Blue Devils could get Mogadore (10-0).

Division V, Region 15 is full of familiar names. Liberty (9-1) is the projected second seed, Ursuline (6-4) is third, Crestview (6-4) is fourth, Girard (8-2) is fifth and United (7-3) is sixth. That would match up the Indians at the Rebels and the Eagles at the Irish in the first round.

Last year’s Division IV state runner-up, Cardinal Mooney, may have to begin its postseason on the road. The Cardinals (5-4) are projected to travel to Woodridge (8-2) in the opening round.

In Division I, Austintown Fitch has clinched a home game for the first round. The Falcons (7-2) could be hosting Canton GlenOak (7-3), according to the projections.

Poland (9-1) will be back in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year and will hit the road for its first-round game. Louisville (9-1) is the likely destination.

Joining McDonald in Division VI will be Springfield, which clinched a playoff spot despite losing its regular-season finale to South Range. The Tigers (7-3) are expected to be on the road at Loudonville (10-0) in the first round.