2016 MaxPreps/JJHuddle Ohio high school football Division II preseason state poll

Video: Jarell White junior year
See the La Salle star in action last season


1. La Salle (Cincinnati) – 13-2, state champion, Region 6 champion
After going 3-7 in 2013, the Lancers are 27-3 and have won back-to-back state titles. Impressive. The defense will be exceptionally stout with the return of two elite seniors in linebacker Jarell White (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) and defensive back Tre-Sean Smith (6-3, 180). White, who had 75 tackles last year, holds multiple offers including Iowa, Illinois, Boston College and Cincinnati. Smith, who had 53 tackles and seven interceptions last year, is committed to Louisville. The offensive line took a hit when senior prospect Thayer Munford (6-5, 325) transferred to Massillon Washington (where former La Salle coach Nate Moore is). Replacing the GCL's all-time leading rusher – Northwestern University freshman Jeremy Larkin – is a huge hurdle.

2. Midview (Grafton) – 11-1, Region 4 semifinalist
The 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.

3. Kings (Kings Mill) – 11-2, Region 6 finalist
The Knights have been to the postseason 11 times in 14 years and are looking for a return trip and more. Senior quarterback Tyler Knecht (6-3, 210) returns after throwing for 2,441 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. He also ran for 800 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior Justin Wise (6-1, 180 with 45 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns) is the team's top returning receiver. Senior offensive lineman Matt Sichterman (6-5, 260) has committed to Nebraska. Senior defensive lineman Dan Sichterman (6-4, 240 with 48 tackles and 10.5 sacks last year) holds several offers, including Air Force, UConn and Ball State.



4. Copley – 9-2, Region 3 quarterfinalist
The Indians reached the postseason for the first time since 2010 last year and expectations remain. Senior defensive back Weston Bridges (6-1, 195) holds 17 offers and has committed to Michigan State. A standout running back, Bridges ran for 1,620 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. Senior quarterback Austin Brenner (6-1, 175) earned all-Northeast Inland District honors last year after throwing for 1,960 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also ran for 581 yards and five touchdowns. The defense returns seven players that registered at least 43 tackles, including senior defensive back Jaylon Doss (5-11, 170), who had a team-high 97 tackles. Also back is junior linebacker Blake Traylor (5-9, 190), who ranked third with 82 tackles.

5. Washington (Massillon) – 4-6
Line play should be outstanding for the Tigers, who enter year No. 2 under state champion head coach Nate Moore. The offensive line will be led by two Division I prospects in seniors Vincent McConnell (6-5, 255) and Chris Anthony (6-4, 285). McConnell holds offers from Syracuse and Toledo, while Anthony holds an offer from Cincinnati and several MAC schools. La Salle transfer Thayer Munford (6-6, 339), one of the state's top prospects who holds 13 offers including Alabama, Pitt, Tennessee, Louisville and Maryland, was ruled ineligible by the OHSAA on August 13. Massillon is expected to take action against the ruling. The defensive line will feature senior Malcolm Robinson (6-3, 290), who holds offers from Purdue, Virginia, Boston College and others. Sophomore linebacker Jamir Thomas (6-2, 215) was named a MaxPreps freshman all-American last year after leading the team in tackles (54). He holds six offers including Michigan, Michigan State and West Virginia. The schedule eases up a bit this year.

6. Miamisburg – 9-2, Region 6 quarterfinalist
The Vikings continue to excel under veteran head coach Steve Channel. "The Burg" has gone 31-12 the last four years and is coming off three straight playoff appearances. The Vikings won just four games from 2008-2011. The offensive line will be a huge strength with the return of seniors Josh Myers (6-5, 275) and Cody Lamb (6-4, 260). Myers has committed to Ohio State and is the country's top prospect at his position. Lamb is committed to Cincinnati. They'll open holes for junior running back Tony Clark, who ran for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. Also back is senior running back Jake Ross, who ran for 524 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Junior Tyler Johnson led the team in receiving with 26 catches for 502 yards and eight touchdowns. The defense is led by senior linebacker Jake Brown, who led the team in tackles with 78.

7. Licking Heights (Pataskala) – 10-2, Region 5 semifinalist
The Hornets have been to the postseason three times in four years and are heavy favorites to repeat as LCL champs. Senior lineman Jordan Coulter (6-2, 260) will impact both sides of the ball. The defense features a pair of standout seniors in linebacker La Kelly (6-1, 190) and defensive end Chance Canady (6-3, 246).

8. Perrysburg – 13-1, state semifinalist, Region 4 champion
The 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.

9. Springfield (Holland) - 9-2, Region 4 quarterfinalist
The 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.



10. Edgewood (Trenton) – 7-3
The Cougars return some firepower on offense, including their top six rushers. Senior quarterback Drew Reckart (5-11, 175) returns after throwing for 1,372 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. He also ran for six touchdowns. The running back stable is headlined by senior Devon Garrett (5-10, 165 with 654 yards and nine touchdowns), senior Dakota Schramm (5-11, 195 with 566 yards and eight touchdowns), junior Jake Paulsen (6-2, 185 with 310 yards and two touchdowns) and senior Thomas Lindsay (5-10, 155 with 519 yards and two touchdowns). Senior Eddie Driskell (6-5, 190) was the team's receiving leader with 25 catches for 540 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

Keep an Eye On * St. John's Jesuit (Toledo) - 6-4
After 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.

* Chardon – 8-3, Region 3 quarterfinalist
The Hilltoppers have been to the playoffs three times in four years and expectations remain high. Key returning seniors include offensive lineman Justin Stanko (6-3, 275), linebacker Joe Cyvas (6-0, 190 with 221 tackles in two years) and punter Ethan Ziegenfuss (5-10, 175). Cyvas doubles as a running back, as he ran for 560 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

* Glenville (Cleveland) – 11-2, Region 4 finalist
The 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).

* Nordonia (Macedonia) – 8-4, Region 3 semifinalist
The Knights were state runners-up in 2014 and have been to the postseason four years running. The ground game will again be strong with senior running back Anthony Perrine (5-10, 207) and junior running back Tye Evans (6-0, 220). Senior defensive back Daniel Banks (5-10, 160) headlines the defense.

* Olmsted Falls – 6-5, Region 4 quarterfinalist
Key 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).



* Tri-Valley (Dresden) – 10-2, Region 5 semifinalist
The Scotties, who have been to the postseason seven times in a row, will feature a standout pair of seniors on offense in running back Cody Collins (5-6, 195) and receiver Colin Slaboden (5-11, 175). Junior kicker Chase Dinan (5-9, 150) is a good one.

* Winton Woods (Cincinnati) – 5-4
The Warriors will feature two of Ohio's top defenders in senior lineman Jerron Cage (6-3 260) and junior linebacker Chris Oats (6-4, 210). Cage is committed to Ohio State. Oates is a top underclass prospect.