2016 Ohio high school football Division V Region 17 preview

Video: Junior Season Highlights
See Griffin Baumoel in action for Canton Central Catholic


Players To Watch

*Griffin Baumoel, Senior LB, Canton Central Catholic
Baumoel was all-Northeast Inland District and all-Ohio.

* Francesco Borsellino, Senior DL, Sandy Valley
Borsellino was all-Eastern District and all-Ohio.

* Jordan Murphy, Senior DL, Columbiana Crestview
Murphy was all-Northeast Inland District and all-Ohio.

* Nelson Mozden, Senior QB, Sandy Valley
Mozden was all-Eastern District and all-Ohio.

* Dan Mills, Senior K, Canton Central Catholic
Mills was all-Northeast Inland District and all-Ohio.

* Carlton Brown, Senior QB LaBrae
Brown was all-Northeast Inland District and all-Ohio.

* Chris Jones, Senior RB, Lutheran West
Jones was all-Northeast Lakes District and all-Ohio.
Team To Beat

* Canton Central Catholic (11-4, state runner-up, Region 15 champion
The Crusaders earned another shot at Coldwater in the state final and finished runner-up again. Key returning seniors include a pair of all-Ohioans in linebacker Griffin Baumoel (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and kicker Dan Mills (6-0, 180). Baumoel holds double-digit offers including all three service academies and several MAC schools.

Teams To Watch

* Berkshire (Burton) - 6-5, Region 15 quarterfinalist
The Badgers made the program's fourth playoff trip last season and first since 1981. Expectations are high with the returning senior nucleus of running back Emil Hess (6-4, 170), athlete Will Blechschmid (5-9, 160), defensive lineman James Speelman (5-9, 205) and linebacker Nick Hunt (5-11, 155). Junior kicker Jacob Hanson (5-8, 165) is a good one.

* Crestview (Columbiana) - 10-3, Region 15 finalist
The Rebels are 39-11 the last four seasons and have made the playoffs 11 of the last 12 years. Senior defensive lineman Jordan Murphy (6-4, 237) holds offers from Iowa State, Eastern Michigan and Toledo.

* Garfield (Garrettsville) - 7-3
The G-Men will feature a potent offense led by senior quarterback Dalton Fall (6-4, 225) who threw for 1,800 yards, 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions last year. Also back are senior running back Kyle Borrelli (6-0, 200 with 700 yards rushing), senior receiver Seth Morgan (6-0, 175 with 800 total yards), junior running back Anthony Denigris (5-9, 175 with 700 total yards) and junior running back Dalton Michael (5-10, 185 with eight touchdowns).

* Grand Valley (Orwell) - 7-3, Region 15 quarterfinalist
The Mustangs return a solid nucleus from last year's playoff team, including the senior trio of linebacker Jake Kocab (5-7, 170), defensive back Jake Reichek (5-9, 170) and offensive lineman Austin Mathis (6-1, 295).

* LaBrae (Leavittsburg) - 9-3, Region 15 semifinalist
The Vikings return standout senior quarterback Carlton Brown (6-1, 165), who was all-Northeast Inland District and all-Ohio last year.

* Sandy Valley (Magnolia) - 10-2, Region 15 semifinalist
The Cardinals reached the school's first postseason last year and promptly won their first playoff game (28-14 over East Palestine). Expectations are high. Senior quarterback Nelson Mozden (6-0, 180) leads a group of seven returning all-Eastern District performers. Five seniors – offensive lineman Darren Finn (6-2, 200), defensive lineman Francesco Borcellino (6-2, 270), defensive lineman Chad Neisel (6-3, 230), offensive lineman Donnie Slack (6-0, 250) and linebacker Evan Keck (5-8, 180) – and junior running back Dray Bracken (6-1, 180) are the other six.

Keep An Eye On

* Manchester (Akron) - 5-5
After five straight playoff berths, the Panthers are coming off back-to-back 5-5 seasons. Manchester has been to the postseason 21 times overall. Head coach Jim France enters his 45th season at the school with a mark of 370-104-3.

* Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland) - 6-4
The Vikings will lean on junior running back Jerry Higgins (5-9, 190).

* East Palestine - 7-3, Region 15 quarterfinalist
The Bulldogs return senior defensive lineman Trevor Kimmel (6-2, 225).

* Hawken (Gates Mills) - 8-3, Region 15 quarterfinalist
The Hawks went from eight losses in 2014 to eight wins last year. Graduation took five all-district players.
 
* Lutheran West (Rocky River) - 3-7
The Longhorns will ride senior running back Chris Jones (5-7, 180).

* South Range (Canfield) - 6-4
The Raiders return senior defensive lineman Nathan Daniszewski (6-0, 215).

* Wickliffe - 3-7
The Blue Devils return senior defensive back Lucas Thormeier (6-1, 185).

Also In This Region
Tuslaw (Massillon) - 6-4
Fairless (Navarre) - 3-7
Black River (Sullivan) - 4-6
Warrensville Heights (Warrensville) - 3-7
Rootstown - 5-5
Champion (Warren) - 4-6
Liberty (Youngstown) - 3-7
Cardinal (Middlefield) - 3-7
Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills) - 1-9
Pymatuning Valley (Andover) - 2-8
Brooklyn - 1-9
Beachwood - 1-9