Will Piqua have one more hurdle to clear to make the playoff field? Indians play Sidney in the ‘battered helmet’ game. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
It’s the final week of the 2025 high school football season – already – with titles, seeds, and first-round byes to be determined by the outcome of some particular finales. What might be our most interesting ‘Picks’ page of the year….!
It does not seem possible…what we waited for all winter, all spring, and all summer has come to its conclusion with this week’s final of the 2025 OHSAA high school football regular season.
Time flies when you’re having fun, they say?
Well, some area football teams are going to have some fun this week, and beyond, because many have already secured their playoff berth, and in a couple of cases this week, others will either play their way in the list of regional ‘twelves’, play their way up the list, or play their way out of the list…if they’re on the bubble.
Publisher Sonny Fulks writes OHSAA and Ohio State sports for Press Pros Magazine.com.
We’ll address it all, given what we know, and wait to see what happens as teams like Piqua, Butler, Covington, Lehman, Minster and Fort Recovery do their best for their own part…then wait to see if they can get some help.
Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio proudly sponsors the Friday Night ‘Picks’ on Press Pros.
The 2025 edition of the Friday Picks Page has been sponsored, exclusively, the the Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio, whose nine convenient locations and professional reputation for expert care are second to none…and their concern for your complete satisfaction makes you feel better from the outset. If and when, pick the Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio for your orthopedic needs, and rest more comfortably.
There’s plenty to cover this week, and I think you’ll be interested to know, beginning with…….
A win over 5-4 Covington puts Turner Lachey and Lehman in the playoffs.
Lehman @ Covington…Lehman sits at #8 in Division VII, Region 28, and Covington is currently #13 in Division VI, Region 24. And if there’s a better turnaround story than Piqua in 2025, is Covington not worthy of that consideration? The Buccs have won five in a row, and if they were in a more competitive league their five wins might impress the computer a bit more. They absolutely have to win this game to make the post-season. Oddly, Lehman, at 8-1, has clinched, but if they don’t win their path becomes tougher against higher seeds. Both teams are coming off wins, and Covington’s win over Milton Union last week was their best in at least four seasons, 35-21, and on the road. Excellent job by Austin Morgan and his kids, but they need one more, and some help. Lehman doesn’t need any help, but they seriously want this one. I think Lehman will win…by at least two scores over a much better version of Covington, in 2025.
Piqua @ Sidney...After losing three of their first four to start the year, the Piqua Indians have now won four of their last five and last week moved four places from the bubble to the 8th position in Division II, Region 8. Sidney is mathematically out of the picture, but the ‘Jackets are in prime position to play spoiler by taking down Piqua this week in what’s been a fierce rivalry for the ‘batter helmet’ award over the years. Piqua is likely to win this, but they wouldn’t be here without one of Bill Nees’ best coaching jobs in his long tenure at Piqua…a program that’s averaged about seven wins a year over the past twenty five seasons. They weren’t much to look at early, but Nees assured back when they were 1-3…”We’ve got some kids, and we’re going to get better.” His words have proven good as gold. If they win they finish 6-4 and with an improbable turnaround, and some momentum for taking the next step come next August and the ’26 season. I’m taking Piqua in this game, by three scores.
Fairborn @ Butler…Butler (5-4) is currently sitting #10 in Region 8 this week, and Fairborn might not be as easy as you think. The Firebirds have been an up-and-down team this year, and win this week would mean a .500 season and the satisfaction of knocking one of the league favorites out of the playoff picture. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but Butler lost a heart-breaker to Piqua last week and have dropped two of their last three. Literally, the Aviators are playing for their season this week. Still, I’ve seen some of their better moments and I’m willing to pick them over Fairborn, by two scores.
Anna’s in the big show, but a win over Parkway may seed them as high as #4 at 7-3.
Anna @ Parkway…Anna is coming off a good win over Fort Recovery, sits #6 in this week’s Division VI, Region 24 rankings, and with a win over Parkway and with some movement in the fifth and sixth positions this week could move. It’s not likely, but it hinges on what Coldwater and Cincinnati St. Bernard do. Anna, by far, has played the tougher schedule. The Rockets are very capable and talented, they’re going to finish 7-3, and if they get that #4 spot and home games to open with they’re going to attract attention in the playoffs. Rockets should win by four scores in this game, as Parkway gets ready for basketball.
Arcanum @ Tri-Village…Arcanum is having its best year in a while with a 7-2 record, but comes off a disappointing performance against Ansonia last week needing to win to ensure their place in the post-season. They sit at #9 this week, with Greeneview, West Liberty-Salem, and Purcell-Marian beneath them, but the Trojans have to play #2-seeded Tri-Village (Region 24) who’s undefeated after a thumping of Preble Shawnee last week…by far tougher than Greeneview, West Liberty, and Purcell-Marian will face in their finales. This could work out, but Arcanum will have to play their best game of the season, and it might not be enough. Tri-Village is very impressive, running and passing, and I don’t think Arcanum can keep them out of the end zone. I’m taking the Patriots by four scores, and the Trojans will take their chances.
Mississinawa @ Ansonia…At 7-2 Ansonia sits in the middle of the Division VII rankings in Region 28 (7th), and plays 4-5 Mississinawa Valley on its own turf. And Mississinawa has yet to beat a team this year with a winning record. Adam Hall and the Tigers should win this and cap off another regular season of football consistency at Ansonia. Their only losses this year have come against the league’s best, Tri-Village and Preble Shawnee. If they win (and get help) they could host in the first round of the playoffs, and that said…I’m taking the Tigers by three scores over the Blackhawks.
St. Henry could finish 9-1 with a win over Versailles, secure the #2 seed in Region 28.
Miami East @ Riverside…East has lost but once, and Riverside is 4-5. The best shot the Pirates have to win this is it being a home game, and East taking too much for granted. They currently sit #5 in the Division V, Region 20 rankings. If Riverside (#14) should win, it might move them up enough to make the final spot in Region 28, but I don’t think it’ll happen. East has too much firepower, and will win this by three scores.
St. Henry @ Versailles…St. Henry (#3, Region 28) is 8-1 and the best they’ve been in years – talented, confident, and probably the MAC’s best defensive team in 2025. Versailles, after a strong start, has really struggled since losing to Marion Local in the phantom ending, and has lost four straight and five of six. The Redskins have won six straight and anchor the #3 spot in Region 28. They’re probably going to have home field advantage in the playoffs, and everyone is waiting to see how the rematch between them an Marion Local will turn out, if and when they meet in the regional round of the tournament. Whatever it is with Versailles, I don’t seem them getting over it in time to win this game. I’m picking St. Henry…by three scores.
Delphos St. John @ New Bremen…New Bremen is 5-4 and fortunate to sit at #9 this week in Region 28, Division VII. And I say that because the Cardinals have been the epitome of inconsistent this year. When they’re good they’ve been impressive. On other nights…head-scratching! However, they’re going to win this week and play next week, and think about their future had they been more consistent. Against a really beat-up Delphos team, they’ll win comfortably.
Greenville @ Troy…The Trojans missed a golden opportunity last week when they simply didn’t play well enough against Tipp City, losing 21-0. The Trojans are 7-2, #2 in Division I, Region 2, and are likely to slip a spot or two this week, even with a win over Greenville. As an aside, I think Troy Everhart has had one of better coaching performances of the year at Troy, because no one was talking about them in July, and if the mark of a good team is to beat the teams that you should beat Everhart and company have done just that, including wins over Piqua and Butler. He has high expectations, and he want his kids to have nothing less for themselves. Thus, they’ll beat Greenville to finish 8-2, and if they can win a couple of playoff games Troy will be in a good spot to continue the build in 2026. There’s some good young line talent in the program. In the meantime…they beat Greenville by four scores.
A win by Marion Local would five the Flyers their fifth consecutive undefeated regular season…and their 74th win in a row, overall.
Minster @ Fort Recovery…Quite simply, this is an odd set of circumstances. Fort Recovery ‘s playoff hopes rest with them winning this. They’re #13 and a win would probably secure their playoff destiny. A tough road game for the 5-4 Cats, who have had their ups and downs, and yet the computer has them mathematically in. But a triumphant recovery for Fort Recovery to move to 6-4 with a win, by far the surprise of the MAC in 2025. And don’t be surprised. Picking Fort Recovery in this one by a score. And if Minster loses…it’s not the way you want to make the playoffs.
Coldwater @ Marion Local...Finally, the game that the state will peer in to see for the sake of the Marion Local consecutive win streak, and to see if they can finish undefeated in the regular season for a record fifth season in a row. To the many who write and ask if they’re the average Marion team…I would reiterate what Tim Goodwin has said about the Flyers from day one. When you have to replace 18 seasoned players from a four-time state champion program, there’s going to be some hiccups and adversity. And they’ve had that. Still, this group is accustomed to winning, they know how to win, and they’re improving week by week. And another Goodwin wisdom: “No two groups are exactly alike, or learn the same,” That said, they’ve had the two close calls against Versailles and Anna. However, they have incredible pride in what they’ve accomplished, and carrying forward the legacy of Marion Local football. And that’s going to be a problem this week for Coldwater, who has its own legacy despite stumbling thus far through a 6-3 season. The Cavaliers have had some major injuries, some major inexperience at key positions, and a pair of inexplicable losses to Anna and New Bremen. They’ll be without their best running back this week, and the memory of a disheartening loss in the last year’s season finale with Marion , 35-0. Still, I expect them to be competitive, befitting their #4 ranking this week in Division VI, Region 24. But not enough. It’s very likely that Marion cooks up its best performance of the year, at home, in the tradition of the MAC’s best 50-50 drawing of the year. Fun game to see, and there’ll be some hitting. But in the end…Marion Local wins this, by at least two scores.
Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio proudly sponsors the Friday Night ‘Picks’ on Press Pros.