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

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1. Archbishop Hoban (Akron) – 14-1, state champion, Region 7 champion
The Knights snapped a five-year absence from the postseason and then some in winning the program's first state title. A second could be coming. Senior running back Todd Sibley Jr. (5-foot-10, 214 pounds) ran for 2,059 yards and 24 touchdowns last year. Originally committed to Ohio State, Sibley is now headed to Pitt. Senior quarterback Danny Clark (6-4, 223) is committed to Ohio State. Last year he threw for 2,297 yards and 23 touchdowns. Senior kicker Grant Kersh (5-11, 180) is a good one. The defense will be tough again with the return of junior defensive lineman Daeshon Coppinger (6-3, 245), senior linebacker Marc Westover (5-10, 200) and junior defensive back Nate Bauer (6-0, 180).

2. Central Catholic (Toledo) – 12-3, state runner-up, Region 8 champion
The Fighting Irish are 51-7 the last four years and own two state titles during that span. They'll contend for a third. Senior running back Michael Warren II (5-11, 200) is one of the state's top prospects and owns eight scholarship offers, including Iowa, Kentucky, Rutgers and Iowa State. Warren has rushed for over 2,000 yards each of the last two seasons (5,022 yards total) and has scored 59 touchdowns. The defense will feature a top prospect as well in senior defensive end James Hudson III (6-5, 280), who holds 21 offers including Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Miami (Fla.) and Nebraska.

3. Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood) – 10-4, state semifinalist, Region 10 champion
The Rams won their sixth-straight regional title before falling to Toledo Central Catholic for the second year in a row in the Final Four. Trotwood is loaded again. Third-year head coach Jeff Graham welcomes back a stable of talent led by junior running back Raveion Hargrove (5-7, 175), who ran for a Dayton-area single season record 3,039 yards and 39 touchdowns last year. Junior quarterback Mikale Stephens-Peppers (5-10, 160) returns after throwing for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Rams' top receiver - junior Caleb Johnson (6-1, 160) – is back after catching 52 passes for 599 yards and six touchdowns. The defense will be formidable again with the return of a strong senior contingent led by defensive back Darius Wrotham (6-1, 180 with 54 tackles), linebacker Devon Smith (6-1, 205 with 34 tackles), defensive back Kobe Vinegar (5-10, 180 with 105 tackles) and defensive end Tayvion Ware (5-9, 225 with 42 tackles).



4. Piqua - 6-5, Region 10 quarterfinalist
The Indians will lean on a strong senior class and nine players who earned all-GWOC North Division honors last season. Michigan State commit and senior running back/linebacker Darien Tipps-Clemons (6-1, 220) was named the GWOC North Division Offensive Player of the Year last season after rushing for 1,664 yards and 24 touchdowns. Also back on offense are junior lineman Ben Bynum (6-0, 235), senior tight end Nathan Monnin (6-5, 255) and senior lineman Anthony Grunkemeyer (6-1, 265). The defense should challenge as one of Ohio's best with the return of senior defensive back Dylan Cole (6-0, 200 with 60 tackles and three interceptions), senior lineman Tristen Cox (6-4, 330 with 42 tackles), junior lineman Derek Hite (6-2, 255 with 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks), senior linebacker Ty Carnes (6-2, 220 with 47 tackles) and junior linebacker Ben Schmeising (6-1, 205 with 60 tackles).

5. Hamilton Township (Columbus) – 8-3, Region 9 quarterfinalist
The Rangers are ready for the next step. Coming off back-to-back playoff appearances (its first since 2002) and its first home playoff game, Hamilton Township finished first in Region 9 computer points last season. Now it is time to advance past Week 11. Senior quarterback Patrick Robinson (5-10, 167) has thrown for 4,114 yards and 38 touchdowns in two years. He was first team all-Central District and all-OCC. He owns nearly every school passing record. Senior running back Trey Johnson (6-0, 165 with 640 yards rushing on 97 carries) and senior receiver Mikele Cumberland (5-11, 168 with 28 receptions for 430 yards and four touchdowns) are also back. The offensive line will be anchored by senior Anthony Morbitzer (6-2, 230) and junior Tristan Kieffer (6-3, 280). The defense will be led by Cumberland (a defensive back with three interceptions) and four additional seniors that earned all-district laurels last year in linebackers Austin Jewell (6-2, 195 with 98 tackles) and Anthony Balsimo (6-1, 210) and linemen Jacob Maynard (6-2, 200) and Jeremy Maynard (6-2, 200).

6. New Philadelphia – 8-3, Region 7 quarterfinalist
The Quakers made the playoffs for the fifth time in a row and ninth time overall but failed to win the program's first playoff game. Eventual champion Archbishop Hoban won a first-round matchup, 35-21. Senior quarterback Logan Bitikofer (6-4, 200) is a big reason why expectations are high. The first team all-Eastern District selection threw for 1,609 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. He has 40 touchdowns in two years. The defensive anchor is senior linebacker Blake Bollon (6-1, 200), the reigning all-Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year. He has 279 tackles in two years, including 153 last season.

7. St. Francis de Sales (Columbus) – 10-2, Region 9 semifinalist
The Stallions, who have been to the playoffs 20 times in 22 years, return a tenacious defense led by a pair of seniors - lineman Derrius Mullins (6-4, 315) and linebacker Ryan Corkrean (6-2, 215) – who earned first team all-Central District honors last year. Mullins has multiple Division I offers. The offense will feature senior running back Alonzo Booth (6-0, 235), who also doubles as a linebacker (42 tackles). Senior kicker Dominic Dimaccio (5-8, 165) is a good one.

8. Northwest (Cincinnati) - 6-4
The Knights will rally around a talented trio of seniors in running back Devonte Faulkner (5-10, 210), quarterback Brandon Shelton (5-11, 190) and receiver Gregory Jackson (5-11, 175). Faulkner ran for 1,021 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, while Shelton threw for 1,549 yards, 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also ran for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson caught 24 passes for 526 yards and six touchdowns.

9. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron) – 11-2, Region 7 finalist
The Irish made their fourth-straight regional final (they won the previous three). Key senior returners are receiver Malik Wooldridge (5-10, 180), defensive lineman Eric Bentley (6-3, 240) and receiver Deamonte' King (5-11, 170). King is committed to West Virginia.



10. Franklin - 5-5
The Wildcats have two elite defenders in senior defensive back Trenten Scott (5-8, 155) and junior linebacker Payton Standifer (5-11, 185). Both were first team all-SWBL Southwestern Division and all-Southwest District. Junior quarterback Ryan Montgomery (5-11, 185) returns to run the offense after rushing for 887 yards and seven touchdowns and throwing for 682 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He played quarterback the final six games. Franklin also returns its top receiver in senior Noah Kremer (6-4, 185), who had 18 receptions for 398 yards and five touchdowns.

Keep an Eye On * Wapakoneta - 12-1, Region 10 finalist
The Redskins are coming off the best six-year run (57-12 with four playoff appearances) in program history and hope to continue it in year No. 3 under head coach Travis Moyer, who returned to coaching after a two-year absence. He previously spent 13 years at Bucyrus Wynford, where he led the Royals to 118 wins, nine North Central Conference titles, eight playoff berths and a 58-game regular season win streak. Senior lineman John Bourne (6-2, 250) and senior tight end Kais Chiles (6-4, 230) anchor the offense. The defense will be led by senior linebacker Landon Hall (6-2, 210), who earned all-WBL and all-Northwest District honors last season with 76 tackles and nine tackles for loss.

* Carrollton - 5-5
The Warriors are looking for their first playoff berth since 2004 and expectations are high. A solid offensive nucleus returns with the strong senior tandem of quarterback Adam Shaw (5-8, 175) and running back Brenton Miller (5-9, 165). The defense will feature senior defensive back Jacob Knipp (5-10, 170). All three were first team all-Eastern District.

* Bexley (Columbus) – 8-3, Region 9 quarterfinalist
The Lions and head coach John Smith (46-44 in nine years) are looking to win their second-straight MSL title and make the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. Bexley returns seven starters on offense but does have to replace most of its defense. Senior kicker Logan Meyer returns after setting the school record for points in a season (61) and field goals in a season (seven) last year. Additional key returning seniors are lineman Wade Randle, lineman Parker Getz, lineman John Corcella, receiver Kyle Benson, running back Micah Fliegel, running back/linebacker Sean Early, lineman Jalen Hatton and quarterback Simon Kroos. Junior lineman Grant Robinson is seasoned.

* Zanesville – 12-2, state semifinalist, Region 9 champion
The Blue Devils made a memorable run last year and now must replace seven first team all-Eastern District performers. Key returners include senior defensive lineman RJ Harris (6-4, 260) and senior kicker Aaron Ashby (5-9, 190). Harris holds an offer from Iowa State. He had 50 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 15 sacks last season.

* Jackson – 11-2, Region 9 finalist
The Ironmen have made the postseason four times in six years and appear poised to make it five in seven. Key returning seniors include running back Johnny Farley (5-6, 160), defensive lineman Billy Cooper (6-0, 210), linebacker Raymon Potter (6-2, 230) and defensive lineman Codey Roseberry (6-2, 245).



* Lexington – 6-4
The Minutemen have a chance to have a solid season. Senior running back Hunter Biddle (6-0, 170) and senior receiver AJ Nickoli (6-0, 175) return, as do sophomore defensive back Cade Stover (6-4, 200) and senior defensive back Tony Gerrell (6-0, 170). All four were all-Northwest District.

* Bellefontaine - 4-6
The Chieftains return a stable of wealth in the backfield. Junior quarterback Dezmin Lyburtus (5-11, 165) threw for 758 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 601 yards and six touchdowns last year. Also back is senior running back Hayden Nease (6-2, 210, ran for 656 yards and had 12 total touchdowns) and junior running back Caleb Stevens (5-11, 180, ran for 551 yards and eight touchdowns).