Ohio HS Football '18: small school linebackers

East Palestine's Parker Sherry named National Athlete of the Month
Ohio junior earns MaxPreps Semper Fidelis AOM award presented by the Marines.

Who are Ohio's top returning high school football players entering the 2018 season? The Buckeye State has a deep talent pool. These are some of the sharks. Kickoff is coming.

Genoa's Drew Bench (No. 3) holds offers from Air Force, Ball State and Bowling Green. Has 28 TFL last two years.

Photo by ScoutingOhio.com

Ohio HS Football '18: Small School Linebackers (Div. V-VII)

Key names to know Fridays this fall.

Player, School, Ht, Wt, Graduating Class

* Clayton Takacs, Grand Valley (Orwell), 5-10, 175 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-V and Northeast Lakes District defensive player of the year last season. Had 100 tackles, 22 TFL, two interceptions, four sacks, three forced fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown.



* Brady Blattner, Meadowbrook (Byesville), 5-9, 190 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio and first team All-East District last season.

* Trace Sechrest, Bellaire, 6-0, 195 (2020)
First team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio last season after registering 97.5 tackles (82 solo).

* Charlie Cowart, Mariemont (Cincinnati), 6-3, 225 (2019)
Had 116 total tackles, 15 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 Int, 1 FF, 2 FR. 539 rec yards, on 27 rec, 8 TDS. 2x 1st Team CHL, committed to Air Force Academcy for Lacrosse.

* Drew Bench, Genoa Area (Genoa), 6-5, 215 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection and first team All-Northwest District. Holds offers from Air Force, Ball State and Bowling Green. Has 28 TFL last two years. 

2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Postseason Brackets

* Kaden Davis, Johnstown-Monroe (Johnstown), 6-0, 205 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio and the Newark Advocate defensive player of the year. Recorded 116 tackles, nine sacks, 20 TFL, two forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries



* Nick Reichek, Grand Valley (Orwell), 5-10, 175 (2019)

2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Statistics

* Chase Chicwak, Shenandoah (Sarahsville), 6-0, 180 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection who had 144 Total Tackles, 70 Solo, 11 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Was second team All-Ohio as a sophomore.

* Sam Huelsman, Marion Local (Maria Stein), 6-4, 220 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection and first team All-MAC. Has over 150 tackles the last two seasons.



* Danny Snakovsky, Columbia (Columbia Station), 5-10, 170 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had 108 tackles.

* Ravon Eisom, Oberlin, 5-10, 170 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had 79 tackles (28 solo), 11 TFL, and 4.5 sacks.

* Noah Good, St. Paul (Norwalk), 5-9, 175 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection who 134 tackles, 14 TFL and two interceptions. Also ran for 700 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense.

2017 Ohio HS Football Pictures

* Brice Markel, McComb, 6-1, 210 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had 114 tackles, 25 TFL, nine sacks and two forced fumbles.

* Hayden McKee, Southeastern Local (South Charleston), 6-0, 205 (2020)
Second team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio and first team All-Southwest District last season.



* Chase McDaniel, Cuyahoga Heights (Cleveland), 5-10, 186 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had 80 tackles.

* Tobin Schafer, Harding (Fairport Harbor), 6-3, 200 (2019)