Ohio Football Top 5

Elder and Colerain will lead Cincinnati teams; Cleveland will once again be strong

As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Ohio for the 2009 season.

1. Elder

Tim O'Conner returns to give QB Mark Miller a trusted target.

Scott Seighman

The Panthers were a few scores away from beating St. Ignatius and return many of the key players that carried them on quite an impressive run in 2008. Quarterback Mark Miller returns, and will have two of his top targets back in receiver Tim O'Conner and tight end Alex Welch. The offensive line will have some question marks, but the defensive should be solid. A brutal first three games against East St. Louis (Ill.), Colerain, and Trinity (Ky.) will show what Elder is made of.

2. Colerain

A consistent threat for a region and state title, Colerain finished 2008 with an impressive 12-2 record, despite breaking in new players at many key offensive positions. Heading into 2009, the Cardinals' three leading rushers all return in Greg Tabar, Tyler Williams, Trayion Durham. Head coach Tom Bolden's offense wear down most opponents, but the team's defense, young and talented, will make the Cardinals a major threat in the state title hunt.

3. Glenville

Is 2009 the year that Glenville finally breaks through and captures that elusive Division I state title? It appears like it certainly could be. Ted Ginn's already talented squad was bolstered in the offseason by gaining safety Latwan Edwards and quarterback Demetrius Craig, who each transferred to Glenville. The Tarblooders have an outstanding class of juniors, featuring linebacker Andre Sturdivant, lineman Aundrey Walker, and athlete Shane Wynn.The pieces are certainly there. If Glenville can put them together, there may not be a better team in Ohio.

4. Moeller

{VIDEO_a92dad34-ebd8-406c-9ea5-7a91c62756ae,floatRightWithBar}Hailing from one of the country's absolute most difficult conferences, Moeller is poised to make a run at Cincinnati's Greater Catholic League title as well as a Division I state title, bringing the Crusaders back to national prominence. Quarterback Andrew Hendrix, on his way to Notre Dame next year, is back for his senior season. Lineplay will be solid on both sides of the ball, as each unit features college propsects. Junior running back Richie Dyer will be elusive out of the backfield. While the Crusaders enter 2009 with less fanfare than some of the other Queen City teams, they are no less dangerous.

5. St. Ignatius

The Wildcats proved they are one of the most successful programs in the country, winning yet another state title under head coach Chuck Kyle in 2008. This year, St. Ignatius will be without quarterback Andrew Holland and linebacker Andy Fox, two leaders on last year's squad, but will return state Player of the Year candidate Scott McVey. McVey is an Ohio State commit who is a pure difference maker at linebacker. Given the program's remarkably consistent track record, it's hard to count out the Wildcats.