Red Rider Football Playoff History: Overview

One element of the football tradition that Orrville has established on a statewide level has been it's success in the 2nd season, the playoffs. The OHSAA began conducting elimination style playoffs in 1972, and while the number of teams that qualify and the number of divisions has changed over the years, the simple premise of "Win and Advance" has not.
Since 1972, Orrville has qualified 22 times, placing us near the top of all schools in Ohio based on appearances, and 5th among public schools in terms of appearances (Ironton, Steubenville, Mogadore and Wheelersburg have more appearances among public schools).

Our lifetime playoff record is 29-21 (12 losses to public schools and 9 losses to private schools). We have hosted seven first round playoff games (1985, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011) and have a record of 6-1 in those games.

In terms of coaching records in the playoffs, it breaks down like this...

• Mo Tipton - 8 Wins/6 Losses
• Bill McMillan - 13 Wins/11 Losses
• Doug Davault - 8 Wins/4 Loss

Here are some quick facts regarding our playoff history...

• Most points scored: 59 (1999 Regional Semi-Final vs. Akron Hoban)
• Fewest Points Scored: 0 (4 Times - 1980, 1987, 1989, 1992) - 2 of those shutouts came at the hands of the eventual state champ (1980 vs. Benedictine, 1989 vs. Ironton)
• Most Points Allowed: 50 (2006 Regional Final vs. Youngstown Cardinal Mooney)
• Fewest Points Allowed: 0 (4 Times - 1984, 1986, 1994, 1995)
• Consecutive Playoff Wins: 7 (1998 through 1999)
• Consecutive Playoff Losses: 6 (1986 through 1992)
• State Championship Appearances: 4 (1983, 1985, 1994, 1998)
• State Semifinal Appearances: 9
• Regional Final Appearances: 13
• Lost to Eventual State Champ: 8 (1980, 83, 84, 85, 89, 94, 99, 2006, 2011)

In the widely used and accepted OHSFCA Playoff Point Formula (1 point per Appearance, 2 points per Win, 3 points per State Title), Orrville registers in with 83 points, placing us in the top 25 among all schools in Ohio.  When counting just public schools, Orrville ranks in the top 15. (Source: RollRedRoll.com)

Here is a listing of the location, opponent and result of every playoff game in Red Rider history, starting with the first playoff game and win back in 1980.

Here is my archive of our football playoff history, complete with stats, photos and game reviews. Enjoy.

Or if you prefer to look at each year by itself...click the year below.

1980
1983
1984
1985 (Part 1 & Part 2)
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1992
1994 (Part 1 & Part 2)

If you're a reader and have any personal stories or recollections of playoff games you played in or just watched from the stands, I'd love to hear them. I have a few of my own that I'll share as we go through the decades, but I know there's better stories than mine out there.