Midview, Springfield, St. John's among regional contenders.
Video: Dustin Crum Junior Year highlights
See the Midview star in action last seasonJJHuddle/MaxPreps Ohio Division II Region 6 Preview
Players to Watch* Dustin Crum, Senior QB, MidviewThe Kent State commit has 5,970 career passing yards and 71 touchdowns.
* Sam Gerak, Senior OL, AvonGerak is a Northwestern commit.
* Bryant Koback, Senior RB, SpringfieldThe Kentucky commit ran for 2,019 yards and 31 touchdowns last year.
* Bryce Mitchell, Senior WR, BowsherThe Toledo recruit caught 63 passes for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.
* Tycean Anderson, Senior DB, St. John's JesuitAnderson is a Toledo commit.
* Peter McIntyre, Senior LB, St. John'sMcIntyre is a Northwestern commit.
* Noah Lenz, Senior DB, PerrysburgLenz was all-Northwest District last season.
* Evan Brown, Senior RB/DB, Anthony WayneBrown was all-NLL on both sides of the ball and ran for 1,279 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.
Teams To Beat* Midview (Grafton) – 11-1, Region 4 semifinalistThe Middies return one of Ohio's top quarterbacks in senior and Kent State commit Dustin Crum (6-3, 210). Crum has thrown for 5,970 career yards and 71 touchdowns; he's also rushed for 24 touchdowns and was the team's leading rusher last year (with 697 yards). Senior running back
Alec Forrer (5-9, 175) returns after rushing for 644 yards and 10 touchdowns. Replacing the top three receivers from a year ago is a must. Junior linebacker
Jacob Snider (6-1, 205) led the team in tackles last year with 143. Forrer, a linebacker, had 84 tackles and 14 tackles for loss.
* Springfield (Holland) - 9-2, Region 4 quarterfinalistThe Blue Devils, who averaged 47.7 points per game last year, return senior running back Bryant Koback (6-0, 195), the reigning Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year and Kentucky commit. Last year he ran for 2,019 yards and scored 36 total touchdowns. Opening holes for Koback will be senior linemen and three-year starters
Joe Young (6-3, 245) and
Pernell Fountain (6-4, 235). The defense will be led by senior lineman
Bryan Rogers (5-11, 240), senior defensive back
Lamar Witcher (5-11, 190 with four interceptions), junior lineman
Cade Chappetta (6-3, 245), senior end
Evan Lonsway (5-10, 185) and junior linebacker
Brett Keeler (5-10, 195). Sophomore
Aj Gucciardo steps in at quarterback.
Teams To Watch* Avon – 10-2, Region 4 semifinalistThe Eagles will feature senior receiver
Carson Toy (6-1, 190) and senior offensive lineman Sam Gerak (6-4, 285). Gerak is committed to Northwestern.
* Glenville (Cleveland) – 11-2, Region 4 finalistThe Tarblooders will feature senior running back
Demerius Goodwin (5-7, 175), who ran for 930 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. The defense is led by a pair of stout senior linebackers in
Jaylen Carver (5-11, 190 with 46 tackles) and
Treshon Walker-Smith (6-0, 231 with 41 tackles).
* Olmsted Falls – 6-5, Region 4 quarterfinalistKey returning seniors for the Bulldogs are running back
Spencer Linville (5-11, 220), offensive lineman
Sam Vas (6-1, 280) and kicker
Ricky Castrigano (5-9, 155).
* Perrysburg – 13-1, state semifinalist, Region 4 championThe Yellow Jackets have won at least one playoff game three years in a row. Senior defensive back Noah Lenz (5-7, 165) was all-Ohio.
* St. John's Jesuit (Toledo) - 6-4After back-to-back 2-8 seasons, the Titans won six games last year. Expectations linger. The defense will be strong with the return of senior defensive back Tycen Anderson (6-2, 180), senior linebacker Peter McIntyre (6-2, 210) and junior linebacker
Dallas Gant (6-3, 195). Anderson is committed to Toledo, while McIntyre is headed to Northwestern. Gant is one of the state's top junior prospects and has offers from Kentucky, Rutgers and Toledo. Senior offensive lineman
Mitch Berg (6-5, 263) holds offers from Bowling Green, Toledo and Kent State.
Keep An Eye On* Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse) - 4-6Key senior returners for the Generals are defensive back Evan Brown (5-11, 195) and linebacker
Johnny Rupp (5-11, 215). Brown also doubles as a standout at running back. He ran for 1,279 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.
* Bowsher (Toledo) - 4-6The Rebels return one of the region's best in senior receiver and Toledo recruit Bryce Mitchell (6-3, 200), who had 63 catches for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.
* Waite (Toledo) - 5-5 The Indians return two elite seniors in defensive back
Ronnie Sanders (6-3, 170) and lineman
Mark Boone (6-6, 280). Boone was first team all-City on both sides of the ball.
Also In This RegionHighland (Medina) 6-5, Region 4 quarterfinalist
North Ridgeville 7-4, Region 4 quarterfinalist
North Olmsted 5-5
Northview (Sylvania) 5-5
Ross (Fremont) 4-6
Avon Lake 4-6
Westlake 3-7
John Adams (Cleveland) 3-7
St. Francis de Sales (Toledo) 2-8
Wadsworth 3-7
Clay (Oregon) 1-9
Valley Forge (Parma Heights) 2-8
John F. Kennedy (Cleveland) 2-8
Southview (Sylvania) 2-8
Lincoln West (Cleveland) 2-8
Normandy (Parma) 0-10
Steele (Amherst) 0-10