2016 Ohio high school football Division V Region 18 preview

Video: Junior Year 69-120 1121 yards, "0" interceptions
See highlights of Galion's Chase Cooke from last season


Players To Watch

* Chase Cooke, Senior QB, Galion
Cooke was all-Northwest District.

*Jerome Buckner, Junior WR, Columbus Academy
First team All-Ohio last year after catching 53 passes for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns.

* Joe Craycraft, Senior QB, Marion Pleasant
Craycraft was named all-Central District and all-Ohio.

* Doug Taylor, Senior TE/LB, Elyria Catholic
Taylor was honored as all-Northeast Lakes District and all-Ohio.

* Max Carevic, Senior WR, Wellington
Carevic was named all-Northeast Lakes District and all-Ohio.

* Jonah Barnett, Senior RB, Mount Gilead
Barnett was all-Central District.

* Elmer Zollinger, Senior QB, Norwayne
The dual threat threw for 1,367 yards and 12 scores and ran for 693 yards and eight touchdowns last year.
Team To Beat

* Edison (Milan) - 12-2, state semifinalists, Region 16 champion
The Chargers are coming off the most successful season in school history, so enthusiasm is at an all-time high. Graduation left some questions reading leadership and quarterback play, but plenty of talent and experience returns. Key returning senior starters are offensive lineman Nick Frederick, defensive back Braden Ehrhardt, linebacker Dalton Burns, linebacker Alex Neuberger, linemen Zach Darling, Cameron Perdue and Dawson Timbs and defensive back Bryce Ostheimer. A pair of junior standouts return as well in fullback/defensive back Sam Stoll and defensive end Logan Collins.

Teams To Watch

* Chippewa (Doylestown) - 10-3, Region 16 finalist
After going 1-9 in 2012, the Chipps have reached the postseason each of the last three years. Replacing a strong senior class and quarterback Bailey Breitenstine is the top priority. The defense will be led by senior defensive lineman Trent Harrell (6-2, 230), who had 80 tackles and 10 tackles for loss last year. Senior defensive back Luke Brown is also back.

* Elyria Catholic - 6-4
The Panthers are coming off three straight 6-4 seasons and are looking for the program’s 15th playoff berth. The defense will be led by the senior tandem of tight end/linebacker Doug Taylor (6-2, 230 with 25 catches for 367 yards and five touchdowns) and defensive back Josh Klingshirn (5-10, 165). Both were all-Northeast Lakes District last year.

* Galion - 8-3, Region 12 quarterfinalist
The Tigers dropped down from D-IV and extended their playoff streak to four straight seasons. Key senior returners are quarterback Chase Cooke (6-4, 205) and kicker Connor Moreton (5-11, 170).

* Liberty-Benton (Findlay) 6-4
The Eagles had a string of four straight playoff berths snapped last year. Senior linebacker Clay Lenhart (5-10, 165, all-BVC) returns.

* Pleasant (Marion) - 3-7
The Spartans own 20 playoff berths. Senior quarterback Joe Craycraft (6-3, 200) was first team all-Central District and second team all-Ohio.

* Lake (Millbury) - 10-1, Region 16 quarterfinalist
The Flyers scored 516 points and went 10-0 in the regular season last year before falling to Chippewa in the first round of the playoffs. Key senior returners include quarterback Jacob Rettig (6-0, 215) and offensive lineman Jimmy Urias (6-3, 280).

* Norwayne (Creston) - 9-2, Region 16 quarterfinalist
The Bobcats will ride senior quarterback Elmer Zollinger (6-2, 200), who threw for 1,367 yards and 12 scores and ran for 693 yards and eight touchdowns last year. The senior trio of defensive lineman Jacob Sattelmaier (6-0, 200 with 58 tackles), linebacker Chase Gasser and defensive back Zach Steiner anchor the defense.

* Rossford - 9-3, Region 16 semifinalist
The Bulldogs' drop down from D-IV provided dividends, as they advanced to the second round of the postseason. Senior linebacker Jacob Perry (6-0, 175) returns.

* Swanton - 10-2, Region 16 semifinalist
The Bulldogs won seven games from 2009-2013, so last year’s run to the regional semifinals was quite the momentum changer. It was the program’s second playoff berth and first since 1995. Expectations remain with the return of a strong senior nucleus led by receiver Gunnar Oakes (6-4, 200), kicker Nick Koback (5-7, 150), linebacker Tim Rankin and offensive lineman Zach Dziengelewskii (6-3, 250). Sophomore running back Michael Lawniczak was all-NWOAL last year.

* Wellington - 3-7
The Dukes could be on the verge of a breakout. Senior athlete Max Carevic (6-2, 200) headlines a list of six returning all-Northeast Lakes District players. The others include senior offensive lineman Dauson Hammer (6-4, 310) and the junior quartet of receiver Trevor Porter (6-2, 180), athlete Tristan Arno (5-11, 190), linebacker Devin Adler (6-1, 210) and defensive back Mason Wright (5-7, 170).

Keep An Eye On

* Columbus Academy (Gahanna) - 4-6
The Vikings return one of the state's most electrifying players in junior receiver Jerome Buckner (5-9, 165) who was first team All-Ohio last year after catching 53 passes for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns. Also back are two stout senior defenders in defensive lineman Brett Bates (6-3, 230) and linebacker Roman Bellasari (6-1, 200). Both were first team all-Central District.

* Northridge (Johnstown) - 4-6
The Vikings return senior defensive back Daniel Hatfield (6-3, 180). 

* Mt. Gilead - 4-6
Mt. Gilead returns one of the state’s top small-school running backs in Jonah Barnett (5-10, 175, all-Central District).

* Waynedale (Apple Creek) - 7-4, Region 16 quarterfinalist
After going 0-10 in 2012, the Golden Bears are 18-13 the last three seasons. A strong senior class graduated.
 
* Worthington Christian - 3-6
The Warriors return all-Central District senior wide receiver Reed Tucker (6-0, 155).

Also In This Region
Northwestern (West Salem) 5-5
Archbold 4-6
Genoa Area 5-5
Utica 3-6
Triway (Wooster) 4-6
Eastwood (Pemberville) 4-6
Clear Fork (Bellville) 3-7
Orrville 3-7
Otsego (Tontogany) 1-9
Paulding 0-10