2016 Ohio high school football Division I Region 1 preview

Video: Jaelen Gill Ultimate Highlights
See the Westerville South star in action


Players to Watch

* Brendon White, Senior DB, Liberty
White is an Ohio State commit.

* Jaelen Gill, Junior ATH, Westerville South
Gill holds 21 offers (including Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, UCLA and Penn State) and is considered the No. 1 junior prospect in Ohio by 247Sports.com.

* Chris Atkinson, Senior RB, Elyria
Atkinson has rushed for 2,423 yards and 32 touchdowns in two years.

* Jimmy Daw, Senior RB, Medina
Daw ran for 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. He holds offers from Iowa State, Cincinnati and Bowling Green.

* Cameron Kennedy, Senior RB, Olentangy
Kennedy ran for 1,046 yards and had 11 total touchdowns last year.

* Dominique Long, Senior DB, Westerville South
Long is a Michigan State commit.

* Kyle Nunn, Senior DB, Findlay
Nunn is a Pitt commit.

* Nathan Snyder, Senior QB/P, Marysville
Snyder is a Ball State commit.

* Nazihar Bohannon, Senior DL, Lorain
Bohannon holds several offers, including Michigan State, Pitt and Cincinnati. Team To Beat

* Olentangy Liberty (Powell) – 7-4, Region 1 first round
The Patriots, riding back-to-back playoff appearances, could make a statement this season. Senior defensive back Brendon White (6-2, 196) is committed to Ohio State, while senior tight end Drew Rosi (6-4, 230) is headed to Toledo. Linebacker Ed Warinner (6-2, 222) is one of the state's top junior prospects. He has nine offers including Rutgers and Colorado State. Junior receiver Johnny Wiseman (5-10, 170) and senior defensive back Will Fowler (6-0, 175) were all-Central District.

Teams To Watch

* Elyria – 6-5, Region 1 first round
The Pioneers have reached the playoffs three years running. Expect that string to reach four. Senior running back Chris Atkinson (6-1, 205) is searching for his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season. He has 2,423 yards and 32 touchdowns in two years. Junior quarterback Donte Beckett (5-11, 170) threw for 864 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 617 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Defensively the Pioneers return three seniors – defensive back Brendon Price (5-10, 185), linebacker J.T. Brown (5-11, 195) and defensive end Malique King (6-3, 230) – that logged over 100 tackles each as juniors.

* Olentangy (Lewis Center) – 11-2, Region 1 semifinalist
After being a D-II state semifinalist in 2014, the Braves reached the Elite Eight in D-I last year. Graduation took a toll, but momentum is at an all-time high. Senior running back Cameron Kennedy (5-10, 185) returns after rushing for 1,046 yards and scoring 11 total touchdowns. Senior offensive linemen Hayden Schmidt (6-3, 280 with an offer from Fordham) and Matt Gray (6-2, 250) are solid. Head coach Mark Solis (32-5 in three years at Olentangy) has a 133-55 career record.

* Westerville Central – 10-2, Region 1 quarterfinalist
The Warhawks are 31-6 the last three years, including 4-3 in the postseason.

* Westerville South – 4-6
The Wildcats have some impressive talent. Senior linebacker Christian Nkansah-Wiafe (5-11, 195) holds offers from Illinois, Cincinnati, Bowling Green and Toledo. Senior defensive back Dominique Long (6-1, 175) has committed to Michigan State. Junior athlete Jaelen Gill (6-1, 180) holds 21 offers (including Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, UCLA and Penn State) and is considered the No. 1 junior prospect in Ohio by 247sports.com.

* Whitmer (Toledo) – 9-3, Region 1 quarterfinalist
The Panthers have been the Northwest Ohio playoff pacesetter recently with nine Division I appearances in 10 years. Defense will be a strong suit with the return of senior lineman Kyle Walsh (6-1, 205), senior linebacker Luke Walling (6-1, 201) and junior defensive back Sam Stickels (5-9, 170). All three were first team all-Northwest District last year.

Keep An Eye On

* Dublin Jerome (Dublin) – 6-4
The Celtics started 1-4 but ended last season on a five-game win streak.

* Findlay – 6-4
The Trojans started 5-0 last year but find themselves coming off back-to-back 6-4 seasons. Senior defensive back Kyle Nunn (6-3, 196) is committed to Pitt.

* Lorain – 5-5
The Titans defense will be led by senior lineman Naz Bohannon (6-5, 215) holds several offers including Michigan State, Pitt and Cincinnati.

* Marysville – 2-8
Senior quarterback Nathan Snyder (6-4, 210) has committed to Ball State as a punter. Senior defensive end Steven Wolfe (6-1, 240) had 80 tackles and 20 tackles for loss last year.

* Medina - 4-6
The Bees return senior running back Jimmy Daw (6-4, 220), who ran for 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. He holds offers from Iowa State, Cincinnati and Bowling Green.

* Newark – 0-10
The Wildcats are looking for their first winning season since 2006. The return of eight starters on each side of the ball has hopes high.

* Start (Toledo) – 9-2, Region 2 first round
The Spartans are coming off the program's first playoff berth. Senior offensive lineman Jahneil Douglas (6-4, 242) has been offered by Toledo.

Also In This Region

North Royalton 3-7
Parma 3-7
Strongsville 5-5
Olentangy Orange (Lewis Center) 3-7
Brunswick 3-7