2016 Ohio high school football Division II Region 6 preview

Video: Dustin Crum Junior Year highlights
See the Midview star in action last season


Players to Watch

* Dustin Crum, Senior QB, Midview
The Kent State commit has 5,970 career passing yards and 71 touchdowns.

* Sam Gerak, Senior OL, Avon
Gerak is a Northwestern commit.

* Bryant Koback, Senior RB, Springfield
The Kentucky commit ran for 2,019 yards and 31 touchdowns last year.

* Bryce Mitchell, Senior WR, Bowsher
The Toledo recruit caught 63 passes for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.

* Tycean Anderson, Senior DB, St. John's Jesuit
Anderson is a Toledo commit.

* Peter McIntyre, Senior LB, St. John's
McIntyre is a Northwestern commit.

* Noah Lenz, Senior DB, Perrysburg
Lenz was all-Northwest District last season.

* Evan Brown, Senior RB/DB, Anthony Wayne
Brown was all-NLL on both sides of the ball and ran for 1,279 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Teams To Beat

* 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.

* 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.

Teams To Watch

* Avon – 10-2, Region 4 semifinalist
The Eagles will feature senior receiver Carson Toy (6-1, 190) and senior offensive lineman Sam Gerak (6-4, 285). Gerak is committed to Northwestern.

* 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).

* 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).

* 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.

* 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.

Keep An Eye On

* Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse) - 4-6
Key senior returners for the Generals are defensive back Evan Brown (5-11, 195) and linebacker Johnny Rupp (5-11, 215). Brown also doubles as a standout at running back. He ran for 1,279 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.

* Bowsher (Toledo) - 4-6
The Rebels return one of the region's best in senior receiver and Toledo recruit Bryce Mitchell (6-3, 200), who had 63 catches for 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.

* Waite (Toledo) - 5-5
The Indians return two elite seniors in defensive back Ronnie Sanders (6-3, 170) and lineman Mark Boone (6-6, 280). Boone was first team all-City on both sides of the ball.

Also In This Region

Highland (Medina) 6-5, Region 4 quarterfinalist
North Ridgeville 7-4, Region 4 quarterfinalist
North Olmsted 5-5
Northview (Sylvania) 5-5
Ross (Fremont) 4-6
Avon Lake 4-6
Westlake 3-7
John Adams (Cleveland) 3-7
St. Francis de Sales (Toledo) 2-8
Wadsworth 3-7
Clay (Oregon) 1-9
Valley Forge (Parma Heights) 2-8
John F. Kennedy (Cleveland) 2-8
Southview (Sylvania) 2-8
Lincoln West (Cleveland) 2-8
Normandy (Parma) 0-10
Steele (Amherst) 0-10