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Ohio high school football playoff game has sold over 21,000 tickets

IMG_8358by: Andy Villamarzo28 minutes agoAndy_Villamarzo
Syndication: The Enquirer
St. Xavier Bombers linebacker Brayden Ryland (28) runs the ball in the first half of a high school football game between the St. Xavier Bombers and Elder Panthers, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at RDI Stadium in Cincinnati.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Region 4 championship game between Elder and St. Xavier has attracted well over 21,000 folks that have purchased tickets to witness the game and counting, according to WCPO 9’s Mike Dyer on Friday afternoon.

The Panthers-Bombers game was officially moved earlier in the week to Paycor Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, with the allotment of 7,000 tickets was increased by 20,000. Now the Ohio high school football game is attracting a who’s who of big name folks, including Big Noon Kickoff‘s Brady Quinn, who played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns from 2007-2009 and was the No. 1 pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Originally the Ohio high school football postseason game was supposed to be played at Beacon Orthopaedics TriHealth Stadium in Mason, but the contest was moved to Paycor Stadium to accommodate for what’s expected to be a massive crowd that’s approaching 21,000 paid tickets and counting. The capacity for the game looks set at 27,000 people and has a chance to be closing in on that number as kickoff draws closer.

Per the Massey Ratings latest Ohio high school football rankings, Elder is ranked No. 1 and St. Xavier is at No. 4. The two teams met during the regular season back on Sep. 26, with the Panthers edging out the Bombers, 23-13.

ESPN college football analyst Rocky Boiman was one of the advocates that spoke out earlier this week as the former NFL’er sent out a plea to the OHSAA via X, formerly known as Twitter, to allow the game to be moved to a bigger venue. Now with the contest being played at Paycor Stadium, the atmosphere will rival that of any high school football game in the country and have some pretty big name folks attending as well.

How to Follow Ohio High School Football

For Ohio high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Buckeye State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Ohio.