Olentangy sits 14th in the OHSAA Division I Region 3 computer ratings entering Week 9, two spots outside the 12-team playoff cutline with two regular-season games left.
The Braves carry a 4-4 record and an 8.95 computer rating, according to ratings the Beacon Journal published on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Reynoldsburg (5-3, 11.0375) holds the 12th and final playoff spot. Olentangy Orange (4-4, 10.85) sits 13th, one spot ahead of the Braves.
The Columbus Dispatch posted a video on Oct. 13 featuring the Olentangy head coach and a senior lineman discussing what the program needs to do to reach the postseason.
Olentangy won its fourth game in five weeks in Week 8, beating Hilliard Darby 31-28 on Oct. 9, according to scores published by the Dispatch. The Braves opened the season 0-3. Upper Arlington beat them 40-7, Perrysburg won 45-7 and area rival Olentangy Orange took a 28-7 decision on Sept. 4.
Since then, Olentangy has gone 4-1 to even its record.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) releases its final computer ratings on Oct. 25. Only the top 12 in each region qualify for the playoffs. The top four seeds earn a first-round bye.
The current gap between Olentangy's 8.95 rating and Reynoldsburg's 12th-place mark of 11.0375 is 2.0875 points. Two games remain to close it.
Olentangy hosts Dublin Jerome on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. Dublin Jerome enters at 2-6 and sits 15th in Region 2. The regular-season finale sends the Braves to Olentangy Berlin on Oct. 23. Berlin, at 6-2, holds the sixth spot in Region 3 with a 16.375 rating.
Olentangy Liberty (5-3, 18.8625) sits comfortably fifth in Region 3. Berlin is sixth. Both area programs are currently inside the top 12
The Braves host Dublin Jerome on Friday at 7 p.m.
