If you win, you're in.

That's pretty much the easiest way to determine which team will qualify for the Ohio High School Athletic Association postseason playoffs.

Ironton is the only area team to have a playoff spot locked up and the Fighting Tigers should be at home for their first-round, game, regardless of the outcome of their final two games.

But that's not the case with the other local

teams.

Ironton, 8-0, leads Region 15 of Division IV. The Rock Hill Redmen (7-1) are currently fifth in the region and the Fairland Dragons are ninth.

Rock Hill needs to win at least one of its final two games to qualify for sure. Fairland (5-3) needs to win both games to make the playoffs.

Guess what? The two teams square off Friday at Fairland and Rock Hill also needs a win to remain in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Redmen are tied with Rock Hill at 3-0 in the OVC.

Portsmouth West has moved into contention in the region and has two key game left with Wheelersburg and Coshocton, third in Region 15. A pair of wins should put West in, but a loss could prove devastating.

Portsmouth, 3-5, is just 12th, but the Trojans could sneak in if they win their final two games and enough teams ahead of them lose.

That may sound like too much to ask for, but the Trojans play Minford and an injury-riddled Columbus St. Charles which is missing six starters including its quarterback.

Westfall should win its final two games easily, but the points obtained will be small. Huntington Ross is 2-6 and Zane Trace 1-7.

Granville is seventh this week, but the final two games appear to be losses. Granville is scheduled to play Worthington-Kilbourne and Newark Licking Valley.

River Valley is eighth and needs to win its final two games against South Point and Fairland. Of course, Fairland also needs to beat River Valley.

Bellaire and Martins Ferry are backyard rivals and their annual season-ending game looms big. Bellaire plays Steubenville Catholic this week and should win. Martins Ferry plays 7-1 John Glenn.

Chesapeake has moved up to third in Region 19 of Division V.

The Panthers are virtually assured of a playoff berth, but wins in their final two games against Coal Grove and Rock Hill would lock up a home game.

Wheelersburg is sixth and may need to win both of its final games to qualify.

The Pirates should beat Olentangy Liberty the final game, but this week's game against Portsmouth West has SOC and playoff implications for both teams.

Symmes Valley is seventh in Region 23 of Division VI. The Vikings should win their final two games and would qualify - probably in the eighth slot - by beating Sciotoville East and Hamilton New Miami.

A Vikings loss would eliminate them from the postseason.