COVID-19 has forced high school football playoff cancellations in at least four states

Undefeated Ohio high school football team Northmont (Clayton) was forced out of the state playoffs Friday due to a positive test on the team combined with contact tracing and quarantine protocols, according to a post on the athletic program's Twitter account. That development was part of a wave of postseason cancellations in at least three states late this week.

Northmont (8-0) was scheduled to face Springfield on Friday in the Division I regional semifinals. The Thunderbolts were No. 6 in the MaxPreps statewide computer rankings this week.

Springfield, which lost to Northmont 38-35 back on Sept. 18, advances to face the winner of Friday night's game between Dublin Coffman and Olentangy Liberty (Powell) in the regional final Oct. 30.

Northmont isn't the only team in Ohio to face a virus-related end to the season. Fairborn and Troy in Division II also forfeited playoff games earlier this month, among at least 10 Buckeye State teams to do so, according to MaxPreps senior writer Eric Frantz.

In Utah, at least two teams – Fremont (Plain City) and Uintah (Vernal) – have bowed out due to positive cases. Kearns was declared out earlier in the week only to be reinstated following additional testing, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Michigan Live reported Friday that Mattawan has canceled its regular season finale with Central (Battle Creek) scheduled for tonight and is forgoing the playoffs. The report says at least two other teams in the state have withdrawn due to COVID.

Last week, Alaska announced it was canceling its state football playoffs but allowed teams to continue playing at the regional level.

In another Friday development, Jefferson County Public Schools – which operates 22 high schools in Louisville, Ky. – announced it is putting football on hold after tonight's games. The decision will be reviewed next week and teams could be allowed to return to action for the playoffs.