It’s a fun game for high school football fans to play. 

If the season ended today, who makes the playoffs. 

Well, it’s not today, but the end of the season is in sight. Week 10 games are on this week’s schedules. That means rivalries for some and chances to claim a postseason berth or, possibly, a home game. In some cases, all apply. 

This is not the same schedule as last year, when 16 teams from each region qualified. This year that number drops to 12. The top 4 teams get a bye and seeds 9 through 12 will play on the road against seeds 5 through 8. The top 4 teams in each region will get a home game in Round 2. 

With that in mind, here’s a look – by division – at who’s in, who’s out and who’s sitting in the middle when it comes to area football teams. 

All rankings are unofficial and come from the website joeeitel.com. Official OHSAA rankings will be released later in the week. 

DIVISION III 

Three area teams fall under Division III. 

New Philadelphia (5-4), Carrollton (3-6) and Dover (3-6) are all mathematically eliminated. New Philadelphia is 14th in Region 11, Carrollton is 15th and Dover is 20th. 

DIVISION IV 

Defending state champion Indian Valley remains unbeaten at (8-0) – remember, the Week 4 game against Expression Prep was cancelled – and is currently 2nd in Region 15. The Braves, sitting on a 24-game win streak, will host Claymont on Thursday. More on the Mustangs later. 

Indian Valley has clinched a home playoff game, meaning they’ve clinched a spot in the Top 8. The Braves could still clinch a first-round bye. 

Also in Region 15, West Holmes (5-4) is currently 13th and needs a win when it hosts Canton South. 

DIVISION V 

Claymont (6-3) is a bubble team. According to the website, the Mustangs fall in the category of Control Own Destiny. The Mustangs are ninth in Region 17, but face a big challenge against unbeaten Indian Valley.

With a win, the Mustangs are in. A loss won’t automatically eliminate them, but their final ranking would depend on how the teams ahead of them fare. 

Fairless (4-5) also needs a win this week against Tuslaw, but the Falcons are currently 15th in the Region 17 rankings. 

Harrison Central (3-6), Tusky Valley (1-8) and Sandy Valley (0-9) are all eliminated. In Region 18, Coshocton (1-8) and River View (0-9) are both eliminated. 

DIVISION VI 

Garaway (6-2) is another Controls Own Destiny team. The Pirates are in with a win, but faces a big challenge with their annual season-ending battle at Ridgewood. 

Garaway is currently 11th in Region 21. 

Ridgewood (8-1) has clinched a playoff spot. The Generals are 7th in Region 23 and are still in the hunt for a home game with a win over the Pirates 

Newcomerstown (6-3) has also clinched a playoff spot in Region 23. The Pirates, sitting at No. 8 in the region, end their regular season against winless Buckeye Trail. 

DIVISION VII 

In Region 25, Malvern (6-3) has clinched a playoff berth, but faces a tough finale, traveling to East Canton (7-2) which is listed as Controls Own Destiny. 

In Region 27 action, Conotton Valley is a Controls Own Destiny team. The No. 6 Rockets (6-3) plays at Mathews (6-3). 

Sitting one spot behind the Rockets are the 6-3 Strasburg Tigers, who could still be eliminated even with a win. The Tigers play at Tuscarawas Central Catholic (2-7), which is eliminated. 

MARK THE DATES 

With football teams eyeing playoff berths, high school basketball teams are eyeing the start of their season. 

The Tuscarawas County Sports Hall of Fame will host preview nights for girls and boys teams. Coaches from all nine county schools will be introduced and speak briefly about their teams and upcoming seasons. 

The girls preview will be held Monday, Nov. 3 and the boys will follow a week later on Nov. 10.

Both events will be held at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center in Dover. Doors will open at 5:30 and the meal begins at 6 p.m. 

Tickets are available at the Dover Public Library or online at: www.eventbrite.com The event is sponsored by Aultman and Aultcare Health Plans.