2016 Ohio high school football Division VII Region 28 preview

Video: Jake Earhart's highlights vs. Perry High School
See the Lehman Catholic star in action last season


Players To Watch

* Caleb Martin, Senior QB, Fort Recovery
Toledo recruit accounted for 27 TDs last year.
 
* Bryce Schmiesing, Senior WR, Minster
Two-time all-MAC.

* Jake Earhart, Senior LB/RB, Lehman Catholic
Ran for 1,122 yards last season and has 190 tackles over two years.

* Christian Acus, Senior DB, New Miami
Eight INTs last season.

* Nate Pleiman, Senior DL/TE, Fort Loramie
Three-time All-NWCC.

Team To Beat

* Fort Recovery - 13-2, D-VII state champion
A year after advancing to the playoffs for the first time in history, the Indians won their first state title and set school records for wins (13) and MAC wins (six). For an encore, look for another deep postseason run. Fort Recovery returns eight starters on offense led by senior quarterback and Toledo commit Caleb Martin (6-foot-2, 200 pounds). Martin threw for 2,490 yards and 22 TDs last season and also ran for 376 yards and five scores. Martin set D-VII records for completions (25), yards (385) and touchdowns (five) in the state final. Finding some new wide receivers is key. Junior defensive lineman Andrew Stocker (6-0, 240) was first team all-MAC last season. Senior Kyle Knapke (6-5, 260) anchors the offensive line.

Teams To Watch

* Ada - 6-5, Region 26 quarterfinalist
The Bulldogs reached the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years. Junior defensive back Chase Sumner (5-10, 145) had six interceptions en route to being named first team all-Southwest District. Senior punter Trent Jolliff (5-11, 185) is a good one. Senior linebacker Jordan Bailey leads the front seven.

* Covington - 8-3, Region 26 quarterfinalist
The Buccs earned their 11th-straight and 20th overall playoff berth last season. Veteran head coach Dave Miller (86-20 in nine years) left for D-I Kettering Fairmont in the offseason. Enter Tyler Cates, who comes from CCC rival Twin Valley South. Cates went 18-11 in three years at TVS and 2-1 against Covington.
 
* Riverside (De Graff) - 10-2, Region 26 semifinalist
The Pirates reached the mountain top last year by earning the program's first playoff berth since 2005. Riverside went 6-4 in 2014, 5-5 in 2013 and 0-9 in 2012. Junior defensive lineman Gaven Anderson was first team all-NWCC.
 
* Fort Loramie -  6-5, Region 26 quarterfinalist
The Redskins have made the playoffs seven years in a row. Veteran head coach Whit Parks (35 years of head coaching experience including stints at Danville, Fredricktown, Mount Vernon, Zanesville, Zanesville Rosecrans, Maysville and neighboring Minster) enters year No. 2 at Fort Loramie and welcomes back a great one in senior Nathan Pleiman (6-1, 195), a three-time all-NWCC selection (two-time first team). Pleiman had 62 tackles and 12 sacks last season and also caught nine passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns. Other key contributors will be senior linebacker Dan Berning (6-1, 190 with 108 tackles), senior punter Cody Gasson (5-10, 170 with a 41.2 yard average) and junior running back Carter Mescher (5-10, 150 with 390 yards, five touchdowns).

* Lehman Catholic (Sidney) - 7-5, Region 26 semifinalist
The Cavaliers are coming off their 15th playoff berth and ninth in 11 years. Junior defensive back Owen Smith (5-11, 170 with 114 tackles) was first team AP Southwest District and NWCC. Senior linebacker/running back Jake Earhart (5-10, 175) returns after rushing for 1,122 yards and 12 scores. Earhart also made 79 tackles last season after having 111 as a sophomore. The receiving corps will be extremely talented with senior Dylan Arnold (5-11, 160 with 45 catches for 604 yards and 11 touchdowns), junior Brandon Barhorst (5-10, 155 with 38 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns) and senior Jared Rourke (5-9, 150 with four catches for 82 yards and three scores). Arnold had over 1,000 all-purpose yards and four interceptions last year. Senior linebacker Wyatt Long (6-1, 200 with 69 tackles) and junior defensive lineman Mike Bunker (6-6, 240 with 51 tackles and nine sacks) will bolster the defense.

* Miami Valley Christian Academy (Cincinnati) - 8-2, Region 26 quarterfinalist
The Lions have reached the playoffs in their first two seasons as a varsity program. They lost to Fort Recovery in the first round last season.

* Minster - 10-3, Region 22 finalist
A year after going 12-3 and winning the program's second state title and first since 1988, the Wildcats reached the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Head coach Geron Stokes enters his fourth year at the school and will have some holes to fill. Senior wide receiver Bryce Schmiesing (5-10, 180) was first team all-MAC after being second team as a sophomore.

* New Miami (Hamilton) - 4-6
The Vikings are 10-10 the last two years. Senior defensive back/wide receiver Christian Acus (5-9, 155) had eight interceptions and three receiving touchdowns last year en route to being first team all-Southwest District. Senior defensive lineman Dalton Philpot (5-11, 215 with 9.5 sacks) returns, as does senior receiver Patrick Lairson (6-0, 160 with 16 receptions for 221 yards and four touchdowns).

* Upper Scioto Valley (McGuffey) - 6-4
The Rams return a solid offensive nucleus in the senior tandem of wide receiver Chase Rose (6-3, 195) and running back Austin Sloan (5-11, 175).

Keep An Eye On

* Manchester - 2-8
The Greyhounds are two years removed from their first winning season (6-4) since 1939. Senior running back/defensive back Bryan Young (5-10, 180) is a two-way talent.

* Southeastern Local (South Charleston) - 2-8
Senior defensive lineman Gunnar Gearhart (6-0, 230) is a good one. Other contributors will include senior offensive linemen Garrett Hunter and Robbie Mills, senior athlete Trevor King and junior athlete Hayden Toops. The Trojans could be a sleeper.

* Troy Christian - 5-4
After making the playoffs following a two-year break from fielding a varsity football team, the Eagles finished one game above .500 last year. Key returning seniors include receiver Jacob Brown (6-1, 170), defensive lineman Seth Douglas (6-0, 275) and linebacker Jacob Calvert (6-1, 200).

Also In This Region

Bradford 4-6
Catholic Central (Springfield) 4-6
Hardin Northern (Dola) 4-6
Hillcrest (Cincinnati) 2-7
Jefferson Township (Dayton) 3-7
Ridgemont (Mount Victory) 3-7
Cincinnati College Prep Academy 3-6
Gamble Montessori (Cincinnati) 1-8
New Bremen 1-9
Ansonia 2-8
Lockland 2-8
Cedarville 1-9
Mississinawa Valley (Union City) 0-10
Waynesfield-Goshen (Waynesfield) 0-10