2017 Ohio football Division I preseason state poll and preview

Video: Jimmy Weirick highlights
Watch the Pickerington North senior quarterback in action against rival Pickerington Central. He accounted for 35 touchdowns last season.

Public vs Private. No where is that fight more fiercely contested than in Division I in Ohio. The quality, the passion, the play is never in doubt. The outcome? Always. Competition at its finest. Despite competitive balance making its debut and new regional alignments in place, Division I in Ohio remains among the toughest - and most respected - classifications in the country. Hands down.

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Here's a look at what to expect in D-I...

EF'S JJH/MP OHIO HS PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Pickerington Central (Pickerington) – 12-2, D-I state semifinalist, Region 3 champion
The Tigers have unfinished business after reaching the final four last year and falling 29-27 to eventual state champion St. Xavier. Talent is on overload. Seniors Trenton Gillison (tight end) and Xavier Henderson (defensive back) have committed to Michigan State. Senior defensive back Jeremiah Wood holds 11 offers including Cincinnati, Rutgers, Kentucky and Iowa State. Senior tight end Alex Morgan has committed to Toledo. Other key returning seniors include offensive linemen Brody Egan and Trey Madison and defensive back Jalen Mitchell. Junior defensive tackle DeWayne Carter holds six offers, including Tennessee, Indiana and Kentucky. The quarterback? Super sophomore Demeatric Crenshaw (Kentucky offer). It's time.

2. St. Xavier (Cincinnati) – 10-5, D-I state champion, Region 4 champion
The Bombers became the first team to enter Ohio’s playoffs 5-5 and win a state title (program’s third overall). Must replace 12 All-Greater Catholic League selections. Senior quarterback Chase Wolf (1,291 yards and 15 touchdowns) has committed to Wisconsin and takes over full-time under center. He has two outstanding targets in senior receivers Cameron Specht (68 receptions, 655 yards, three touchdowns) and Andrew Wittrock (50 receptions, 569 yards, nine touchdowns). Senior defensive end Blake Bacevich has committed to Cincinnati. He had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack and a fumble recovery against St. Ignatius in last year’s state championship.

3. Wayne (Huber Heights) – 11-1-1, Region 3 finalist
The Warriors return enough talent to make a third state final in four years. The headliner is senior receiver L'christian Blue Smith who holds 14 offers, including Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame and Penn State. Junior quarterback Rashad McKee directs the offense. The defense features senior defensive end Alex Reigelsperger (Kentucky) and senior defensive back Demetrius Ross.

4. Colerain (Cincinnati) – 11-1, Region 4 semifinalist
The Cardinals split a pair of overtime games with St. Xavier last season, but dropped the postseason meeting 29-23. The linebacking corps will feature two good ones in senior Dan Bolden and junior Ivan Pace. The offense is loaded. A pair of quarterbacks that earned All-Greater Miami Conference honors last year return in senior Gunnar Leyendecker (10 total touchdowns) and junior Deante Smith (11 total touchdowns). Junior running backs Jarin "jj" Davis and Syncere Jones and senior receiver Ja’von Hicks (Cincinnati) were also All-GMC selections.

5. St. Ignatius (Cleveland) – 13-2, D-I state runner-up, Region 1 champion
Both the Wildcats’ losses last season came in overtime, including a 29-23 setback to St. Xavier in the state final. Ignatius was denied its 12th state championship. Expect the Wildcats to contend again. Senior running back Mark Bobinski (1,159 yards, 22 touchdowns) returns to run behind an offensive line anchored by seniors Jack Jamieson and Darian Kinnard (Kentucky). Senior athlete Connor Kennedy will impact both sides of the ball.

6. St. Edward (Lakewood) – 9-3, Region 1 finalist
The Eagles are looking for the program’s 23rd playoff berth overall and eighth straight. Defense will be a calling card. The secondary features two of Ohio’s finest in seniors Michael Dowell (Michigan State) and Darnell Shields (Cincinnati). Senior linebacker Omar Fattah (135 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss) is a good one. Senior kicker Mason Lawler is a difference maker. Keep an eye on junior athlete Caden Kolesar and senior defensive end Will Henry. 

7. Mentor – 6-4
The Cardinals faced six playoff teams in their first seven games last year and had to use a four-game win streak to end the season to finish above .500. Senior quarterback Tadas Tatarunas returns for a third year under center having thrown for 5,271 yards and 47 touchdowns the last two seasons. Other key senior returners are receiver Steven Baird, offensive lineman Ryan Jacoby and kicker Derek Kleinhenz. Junior defensive end Noah Potter holds offers from Boston College, Bowling Green and Toledo.

8. Whitmer (Toledo) – 8-3, Region 2 quarterfinalist
The Panthers will showcase sophomore quarterback Riley Keller who shows a lot of promise and holds offers from Mississippi and Toledo. Senior tight end Josh Close is a threat. The defense features senior linebacker Kaleb Breitner and senior defensive back Sam Stickels. Keep an eye on junior defensive end Cavon Butler (56 tackles).

9. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) – 4-6
The Crusaders, who own 33 playoff berths, are looking to snap a two-year postseason absence. Moeller owns nine big school Ohio titles with its most recent coming in 2012 and 2013. Senior defensive lineman Aeneas Hawkins owns 34 offers, including Ohio State, Alabama, USC, Clemson and Oklahoma. Senior tight end Brenden Bates (Kentucky) and senior running back Colin Thurman (Navy) are also headed to D-I schools. Junior athlete RJ Khayo (five total touchdowns) is one to watch. Junior offensive lineman Zach Carpenter holds 10 offers, including UCLA, Northwestern, Louisville, Vanderbilt and Virginia.

10. Pickerington North (Pickerington) – 8-4, Region 3 semifinalist
Should be special year for football in Pickerington. While rival Central debuts at No. 1, the Panthers also stake a claim by rounding out the Top 10. Senior quarterback Jimmy Weirick (2,900 passing yards and 35 total touchdowns last year) and receiver Ty Wiley form a potent duo. Senior offensive lineman Devin Snyder is solid. The defense is led by senior end Alex Williams (West Virginia) and senior defensive back Tyler Potts (Ball State). Buckle up.

Teams to Watch…

* Jackson (Massillon) – 7-4, Region 1 quarterfinalist
The Polar Bears own D-I state basketball and baseball titles and will try for the trifecta. Coming off the program’s first playoff berth since 2004, Jackson returns senior quarterback Jaret Pallotta who has committed to UMass. Pallotta threw for a school record 2,041 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

* Fairfield – 7-4, Region 4 quarterfinalist
The Indians own some of the state’s top talent. Senior offensive lineman Jackson Carman owns 41 offers and is one of the country’s top uncommitted seniors. His offers include Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, USC and Texas. Senior linebacker Malik Vann has committed to Cincinnati and is one of Ohio’s Top 15 prospects. Other key seniors include receiver Chico Robinson, linebacker Nashon Bell and defensive back Rudy Jones. Junior offensive lineman Jacob Hensley is one to watch.

* Solon – 10-2, Region 1 semifinalist
The Comets are a playoff regular having missed the playoffs just once since 1999. Senior defensive back Taj Ward (Cincinnati commit) and senior running back Thomas Wilks headline their respective units. Junior defensive end Nathaniel Leskovec (22 tackles-for-loss) holds an offer from Wake Forest.

* Olentangy Orange (Lewis Center) – 6-5, Region 2 quarterfinalist
The Pioneers will feature one of the state’s top defensive units led by the duo of senior linebacker Bryce Houston and junior end Zach Harrison. Harrison is the state’s top junior prospect according to the 247sports composite rankings and a Top 10 prospect nationally. He holds 14 offers including Ohio State, Alabama, USC, Stanford and Michigan.

* Perry (Massillon, Ohio) – 12-3, D-II state runner-up, Region 7 champion
The Panthers bump up from D-II where they made the last two state finals (lost to LaSalle both times). Senior defensive lineman Zachary Blackiston (100 tackles, 15 sacks) returns.

Keep an eye on…
Olentangy (Lewis Center)
Olentangy Liberty (Powell)
Lakota West (West Chester)
Mason
Springfield
Centerville