Upper Arlington takes a 7-2 record and a perfect road mark to Hilliard Davidson on Friday, Oct. 23, in a Week 10 OCC-Central matchup with playoff seeding at stake.
The Golden Bears have won seven of nine games in 2026, including a 42-3 rout of Dublin Coffman on Oct. 16. UA is tied for first in the Ohio Capital Conference-Central Division at 3-1 and is ranked 15th in Ohio by MaxPreps. On3's statewide poll slots the Bears at No. 21 as of Oct. 19.
The numbers tell a lopsided story. UA has outscored opponents 254-98 through nine games and has not lost on the road, going 4-0 away from home. The two-game winning streak heading into Friday includes the blowout of Coffman.
Hilliard Davidson enters at 3-6 after edging Olentangy Liberty 12-6 on Oct. 16, according to MaxPreps game results. The Wildcats have navigated a difficult schedule with a young roster. ABC 6 reported that Davidson replaced 11 offensive starters and much of its defense entering the season. Head coach Jeremy Scally's squad has won once since, improving to 3-6.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that the regular season concludes Oct. 24 and Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) playoffs begin Oct. 30. That makes Friday's regular-season finale before the postseason bracket is set.
UA carries postseason pedigree into the stretch run. The Bears went 10-3 last season, beating Pickerington North 30-27 in the playoffs before falling 17-16 to Pickerington Central in the regional semifinals on a last-minute scoring drive, cleveland.com reported in its preseason preview.
A win would lift UA to 8-2 heading into the OHSAA playoffs, which open Oct. 30. Kickoff is at Hilliard Davidson High School.
