St. Edward is the top team in Ohio this season, but don't overlook Archbishop Moeller, St. Xavier, Mentor and Loveland.
MaxPreps 2014 Ohio Preseason Football Fab 5
St. Edward, ranked No. 7 in the country entering the 2014 season, is the top football team in Ohio.
Photos/Illustration by Scott Mapes
11-2
Head coach: Rich Finotti
The Eagles come into this season with high expectations and lay claim to the
No. 7 ranking in the Preseason MaxPreps Xcellent 25. Coach Finotti returns six starters on offense and seven on the defensive side of the ball.
Brett Kean, who returns for his senior season will call the shots for an offense that should put up points in bunches. He will have a lethal set of weapons in
Alex Stump and the Dowell brothers,
David and
Andrew. The defense should offer just as much firepower and experience with a core of
Troy Dipre and
Troy Henderson stuffing the run and
Shaun Crawford patrolling the secondary. As always, Finotti has filled his schedule with a handful of top teams from different states, but if things can fall in place for his boys they could be competing for the top spot in the nation towards the end of the season.
See the Top 20 most dominant Ohio football teams of the MaxPreps era2. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)2013 finish: 14-1
Head coach: John Rodenberg
After coming off a superb season that concluded with a thrilling win over Mentor in the state championship game, the Fighting Crusaders are in place to get right back where they were last season. Coach Rodenberg returns his field general in
Matt Crable and a host of offensive threats:
Chase Pankey,
Miles Hayes, and junior
Jake Hausmann to name a few. The defensive unit will be led by Notre Dame commit
Elijah Taylor who will be a load to handle for opposing offensive lines. Look for
Ryan Stofko and
John Griga III to be nice compliments on defense as well. Like many others they will have to run the gauntlet of Ohio powers this season, but we know that Rodenberg will have his squad primed and ready to go.
See MaxPreps Ohio football photo galleries3. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)2013 finish: 5-6
Head coach: Steve Specht
The Bombers finished the season under .500 and exited the playoffs in the first round, which is not something of routine for Specht's teams. Sophomore
Sean Clifford looks to be the next man up under center and he has flashed a nice skill set that could offer some promise.
Ben Glines is a very versatile athlete who should give Clifford some options and comfort early on. The strong point for the Bombers this season will likely be the defensive unit. Led by Ohio State commit
Justin Hilliard, the defense will have plenty of seasoning. Keep an eye on
Simeon Lane and
Cole Jones as well, as they should be nice compliments to Hillard. Specht's biggest question may be the inexperience of his offense, but the Bombers never lay down easy.
See the MaxPreps Ohio football playoff brackets4. Mentor2013 finish: 13-2
Head coach: Steve Trivisonno
The Cardinals suffered a heartbreaking loss in the state championship last season after a fantastic run to put them in place to compete for the title. That being said, Trivisonno has proven that his team is a mainstay in the playoffs and can compete year in and year out. Trivisonno brings in
Jake Floriea as his new quarterback and getting him up to speed may be the key to offensive success this season. He will have dynamic weapons in speedsters
Eddie Daugherty and
Alex Mathews. The offensive line for Floriea will be completely new as well, but has the looks of being solid. Defensively, the Cardinals may have one of the better lines in the state. A group that consists of
Billy Hudson,
Nico Lautanen, and
Trevor Morrison will not be easily moved around up front. Trivisonno has the pieces to contend — it'll just be about getting them in place.
See the MaxPreps Ohio football computer rankings
5. Loveland2013 finish: 15-0
Head coach: Fred Cranford
A state championship victory for the Tigers capped a perfect season for Cranford and his boys in 2013, and they have repeat on their mind.
Drew Plitt returns under center after leading the team to a state title victory in his sophomore season. Both
Giovanni Ricci and
Nate Slagel should give him options to work with and provide the offense with some firepower.
Ian Leever is massive and will be the lead cog on the offensive line. Defensively, look for
Jeff Prifti and
Jake Saunders to provide the needed punch and anchor the unit. An undefeated season is never easily repeated, but Cranford will have the assets he needs to complete the difficult task.
