2016 Ohio high school football Division II Region 7 preview

Video: Travis Koontz - Full season highlights
See the Boardman star in action last season.


Players To Watch

* Carson Van Lynn, Senior OL, Kilbourne
Van Lynn holds offers from Kentucky, Iowa State, Wake Forest and others.

* Travis Koontz, Senior TE, Boardman
Koontz holds offers from Maryland, Iowa State, Cincinnati and several MAC schools.

* Brian Benson, Senior RB, Mansfield Senior
Benson is looking for a third-straight 1,000-yard rushing season.

* Jamir Thomas, Sophomore LB, Washington
Thomas led his team in tackles as a freshman. He holds offers from Michigan, Michigan State and West Virginia.

* Victor White, Senior RB, New Albany
White was all-Central District last year after rushing for 1,402 yards and 17 touchdowns.

* Jornell Manns, Junior WR, Mansfield Senior
Manns holds offers from Penn State, Kentucky and several MAC schools.

* Thayer Munford, Senior OL, Washington
The La Salle transfer holds offers from Alabama, Pitt, Tennessee and others.

* Davionn Johnson, Senior WR/DB, St. Charles
Johnson had seven interceptions, 70 tackles and nine touchdowns last season.

* Matt Carrick, Senior OL, Perry
Carrick is committed to Michigan State. Team To Beat

* 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 three Division I prospects in seniors Vincent McConnell (6-5, 255), Chris Anthony (6-4, 285) and La Salle transfer Thayer Munford (6-6, 339). McConnell holds offers from Syracuse and Toledo, while Anthony holds an offer from Cincinnati and several MAC schools. Munford, one of the state's top prospects, has 13 offers including Alabama, Pitt, Tennessee, Louisville and Maryland. 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.

Teams To Watch

* Boardman (Youngstown) – 6-5, Region 5 quarterfinalist
The Spartans snapped a three-year postseason absence last year. Senior tight end Travis Koontz (6-5, 222) holds offers from Maryland, Iowa State, Cincinnati and several MAC schools. He was first team all-AAC. Expect senior running back Koby Adu-Poku (5-8, 170 with 800 yards rushing) to log ample carries. The defense will feature senior defensive end Jordan Acevedo (6-3, 230 with six sacks).

* Worthington Kilbourne (Columbus) – 11-2, Region 5 finalist
The Wolves reached the playoffs for the third-straight season. Senior offensive lineman Carson Van Lynn (6-6, 230) holds offers from Kentucky, Iowa State, Wake Forest, Toledo and Bowling Green. Junior punter Thomas Wilson (5-9, 210) was all-Central District.

* Lake (Uniontown) – 6-5, Region 5 quarterfinalist
Senior defensive back Zach Sturmi (5-10, 165) will spearhead the Blue Streaks' defense.

* 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).

* Mansfield Senior – 8-3, Region 5 quarterfinalist
The Tygers feature two of the region's top players in senior running back/linebacker Brian Benson (5-9, 185) and junior receiver Jornell Manns (5-11, 180). Benson was all-Ohio last season and is looking for his third-straight 1,000-yard rushing season. He holds an offer from Youngstown State. Manns, who had seven receiving touchdowns last year, holds offers from Penn State, Kentucky, Ohio, Bowling Green and Toledo.

* Perry (Massillon) - 12-3, state runner-up, Region 5 champion
After finishing 0-10 in 2013, the Panthers finished as state runners-up last season. Gone is Mr. Football Keishaun Sims (Ashland) and several other key pieces. Senior offensive lineman Matt Carrick (6-4, 300) is headed to Michigan State. Senior defensive back/running back Tevion Cleveland (5-7, 150) will impact both sides of the ball. Last year he rushed for 983 yards and seven touchdowns.

* 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.

* Walnut Ridge (Columbus) – 7-3
The Scots will feature a potent defensive backfield led by seniors Darrick Forrest jr. (6-0, 175) and Michael Ayers (6-2, 181). Both hold MAC offers. Senior offensive lineman Arius Griffin (6-4, 310) is one to watch.

* Wooster – 8-3, region 5 quarterfinalist
The Generals posted back-to-back playoff appearances for the second time in program history. Wooster has never been to the playoffs three years in a row. Junior running back Trey Mathis (5-10, 210) and senior receiver Colt Morgan (6-4, 180) were all-Northeast Inland District.

Keep An Eye On

* Franklin Heights (Columbus) - 1-9
Senior running back Brenden Knox (6-0, 206) ran for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

* Logan – 8-2
The Chieftains will feature senior lineman Kory Henthorne (6-4, 250), who was all-Southeast District last year.

* New Albany (6-4)
The Eagles will feature one of the region's top players in senior running back Victor White (5-9, 175), who was all-Central District last year after rushing for 1,402 yards and 17 touchdowns.

* St. Charles (Columbus) - 3-6
The Cardinals will ride senior defensive back/receiver Davionn Johnson (5-11, 170), who had seven interceptions, 70 tackles and nine touchdowns last season.

* Watkins Memorial (Pataskala) – 6-4
The Warriors notched the program's first winning season since 2008 and earned a postseason berth in 2014. Head coach Jeff Severino (39-44 in nine years) returns senior receiver Garth Medors (5-8, 160), who was all-Central District last year after scoring 16 total touchdowns (receiving, rushing and returns).

Also In This Region

Northland (Columbus) 6-4
Hayes (Delaware) 5-5
Mt. Vernon 5-5
West (Columbus)  5-5
Groveport-Madison (Groveport) 5-5
Big Walnut (Sunbury) 2-8
Mifflin (Columbus) 3-7
Briggs (Columbus) 4-6
East (Youngstown) 2-8
Canal Winchester 2-8
Dublin Scioto (Dublin) 2-8
Westerville North (Westerville) 0-10