JEROMESVILLE — They met in the state semifinals last year and could bump into each other a little sooner this fall.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association released its divisional and regional alignments for the 2025 football season Thursday and the most interesting local news came in Division VII.
Hillsdale, which won a Region 25 crown and reached the state championship game last year, will shift to Region 27. They will join Danville, which won the Region 27 title last November.
Hillsdale and Danville met in a memorable state semifinal in Shelby last year. The Falcons rallied for a 25-22 win.
Hillsdale isn’t the only Ashland County team on the move. Both Crestview and Mapleton will remain in Division VI, but will have new regional homes.
Crestview will move from Region 22 to Region 23, which runs to the Ohio River through the southeastern portion of the state. Crestview is the northernmost school in Region 23.
Mapleton jumps from Region 22 to Region 21. The Mounties join a region that encompasses the northeast portion of Ohio.
The county’s other two schools will remain in the same enrollment division and geographic region.
Ashland will again slot into Region 7 of Division II. The Arrows reached the Region 7 semifinals last year before falling to eventual regional champ Big Walnut.
Loudonville will join Danville and Hillsdale in Region 27 of Division VII. The Redbirds are coached by former Danville boss Ed Honabarger.