CINCINNATI — Goodbye regular season, hello playoffs! We're kicking off the first round of OHSAA football playoffs with coverage across the Tri-State.
Our WCPO 9 Friday Football Game of the Week was a showdown between Lakota East, the No. 8 seed in Division I, Region 4, and No. 9 West Clermont. The Thunderhawks continue their resurgence after a one-win 2023, beating the visitors 42-28.
They'll now face Elder, who beat No. 10 seed Mason 28-3 at The Pit.
No. 6 seed St. Xavier took care of business against Milford, winning 41-0. They'll take on Winton Woods, the No. 3 seed that defeated Little Miami 35-0.
In another 8-9 game, this time in Division I, Region 2, Wayne scored with just 45 seconds to go to nab a 26-20 win over Middletown. This was the Warriors' first playoff win since 2020.
Kings' defense pitched a shutout, helping the No. 7 seed Knights win 10-0 against No. 10 seed Withrow in a Division II, Region 8 matchup.
After winning a huge road game at The Pit to lock up the No. 2 seed, La Salle cruised to a 69-21 win over No. 15 Monroe. They were rocking from minute one, taking the opening kickoff back for six. They'll host Kings next week.
The win was never in doubt for No. 6 seed Harrison, who routed No. 11 Troy 43-7.
Led by Lee Thomas, No. 2 seed Cincinnati Country Day moved past No. 15 Deer Park in their Division IV, Region 24 playoff game, winning 39-19.
We didn't skip out on the rest of the Tri-State! We also got to witness Lawrenceburg bully Greensburg in the second round of their playoffs, winning 59-6. They'll face Batesville next week in the sectional finals.
The playoffs start next week in Kentucky! Lloyd Memorial cruised to an easy 61-13 victory over Scott. They'll face Bath County next week in the first round of the playoffs.
Paris closed out their regular season with a huge 52-12 win on the road at Ludlow.
Vote for your Gold Star Athlete of the Week below!