Central Christian and Hiland soccer, perennial contenders, look to extend playoff dominance

With the release of the OHSAA boys soccer brackets, there are storylines forming and ones already in place.

Perennial contenders like Central Christian and Hiland are well positioned to continue their dynasty-like runs, Smithville will try to get into regionals for the first time in program history, and Norwayne will look to make noise in Div. IV.

Orrville, also in Div. IV, will seek to capitalize on its high seed: It's the second time in program history that it has achieved the No. 3 seed, the last time coming in 2019. Wooster wants to right a tough regular season with a nice postseason ride.

Div. III Northeast 2 District

Picking up the No. 33 seed was Wooster as it will continue to get healthy and look to find its rhythm at the right time. The Generals will open their sectional final on the road against Harvey.

Div. IV East 2 District

West Holmes (3-13) was tabbed with the No. 14 seed, the lowest seed in its bracket. The Knights will open on the road against No. 3 seed Maysville.

Div. IV Northeast 1 District

The second highest seed in this district is Orrville (11-1-2), who picked up the No. 3 seed and will host the winner of Edgewood and Conneaut. A win will earn the Red Riders a date with Field (No. 2 seed) in what should be a fun pairing. The Falcons have notable wins against Alliance, SVSM, Tallmadge and Norton and will be one of the toughest opponents Orrville has played to date.

No. 34 seed Triway (3-8-1) will have a tall task as it will make the trip to Cardinal Mooney to open its playoff run.

Div. IV Northeast 4 District

The area’s No. 1 seed in the power rankings Norwayne (11-2-1) will open as the No. 4 seed and will be the highest seed in its bracket. Opening up, the Bobcats will host Clearview and then potentially run into No. 5 seed Hubbard. The Eagles will be the second-best team that Norwayne will play all year next to Western Reserve Academy.

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Div. V Northeast 2 District

The majority of the area teams went into this bracket as Smithville (10-4-1), Loudonville (1-11-2) and Northwestern (6-7) all jumped in here. The highest seed was the Smithies at No. 4, the Huskies are a No. 22 seed, and the Redbirds were tabbed with the 45th seed.

Smithville will play the winner of Trinity and Bard Early College while Loudonville will travel to Northwestern.

Div. V Northeast 3 District

Lake Center and Kirtland will be the top dawgs in this bracket with the No. 2 and No. 6 seed, respectively. Locally, the only area team in this bracket is Waynedale (4-10), a 31st seed, who will host Medina Christian.

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Div. V Northeast 4 District

Picking up the No. 5 seed was Central Christian (9-3-2), who is one of the best perennial contenders in any bracket. The Comets will host the winner of Waterloo and Brookfield with the highest in this bracket being Champion at No. 3.

For Central Christian, a win would put it in its 12th straight district.

Div. V Northeast 5 District

In a bracket that will go to whoever shows up as Oberlin (9 seed), Open Door (8 seed) and Lake Ridge Academy (7 seed) will be the favorites. Locally, there is Tuslaw (6-8-1), Chippewa (4-11) and Ritman (0-13-1) in this bracket.

The Mustangs and the Chipps will battle in a sectional semifinal pairing in Massillon and the Indians (47 seed) will travel to the Patriots.

Div. V East District

Earning the No. 1 seed was Hiland (12-4) as it will open up its playoff by hosting Monroe Central. The Hawks are the presumed favorites as they will be looking to make their 22nd straight trip to districts.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Central Christian and Hiland soccer, perennial contenders, look to extend playoff dominance