@EFrantzMP’s HS Football Preseason Great Lakes Regional Rankings

1. St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)
The defending PIAA Class 6A state champs (looking for third title and fourth state final in four years) begin the season ranked No. 8 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings. New head coach Tim Roken takes over for Gabe Infante and inherits a roster considered the state’s top in the MaxPreps’ Best high school football team from all 50 states listing. Expect the senior trio of quarterback Kyle McCord (Ohio State commit), receiver Marvin Harrison jr. and running back Kolbe Burrell (Buffalo) to light up scoreboards and defenses each week. One of the country’s toughest schedules awaits. Huge games loom Sept. 6 at Rutgers University against St. John's (Washington, District of Columbia) and Sept. 13 at Widener University against IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).
Up Next: 8/30, 7 p.m. at Marietta (Ga.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

2. Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)
There is a good chance the defending OHSAA Division II state champ and northeast Ohio power wins its fifth consecutive state title (which would tie fellow NE Ohio heavyweight St. Ignatius for the state record). A loaded roster includes RB/LB DeaMonte Trayanum (Arizona State), TE Caden Clark (Alabama), LB Devin Hightower, QB Shane Hamm, LB Damon Ollison ll and WR Brayden Fox. Considered the state’s top team in MaxPreps’ Best high school football team from all 50 states article, the Knights debut this season at No. 15 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/31, 12 p.m. vs Harrisburg (Pa.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

3. Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)
After winning the OHSAA Division I state title in 2017, the Tigers lost in the semifinals last season to Colerain (Cincinnati). With quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw (25-4 as starter), receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr., defensive end Ty Hamilton (Ohio State) and defensive tackle Abraham Alabi returning, there's a good chance they make it to the semifinals for a fourth straight season. Open at No. 41 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/30, 5:30 p.m. vs Winter Park (Fla.) (Click here to follow live scoring)
The Crusaders are one of Michigan’s elite programs and added to their legacy last season with the school’s first MHSAA Division 3 state championship. It was King’s third championship (the other two in Division 2) and 49th victory since 2015. Senior receiver Rashawn Williams (Indiana) and running back Peny Boone (Maryland) return to give the Crusaders a potent 1-2 offensive punch.  Senior OL Deondre Buford will open holes. A big key is replacing quarterback Dequan Finn, who graduated with two state titles and as one of the Detroit Public School League’s top players ever at his position. Finn is a freshman at the University of Toledo. Defensive back Jaylen Reed is a Top 10 junior prospect nationally at safety and in Michigan regardless of position. The Crusaders are ranked No. 53 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/31, 1 p.m. vs Catholic Central (Novi, Mich.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

6. Carmel (Ind.)
The Greyhounds return 14 starters from last year’s IHSAA Class 6A state runner-up squad (lost to Warren Central). Three seniors – defensive lineman Cole Brevard (Penn State), linebacker Ty Wise (Indiana) and running back Dylan Downing – rank among the state’s Top 20 senior prospects according to 247sports.com. Brevard is the No. 1 overall prospect. Carmel opens ranked No. 91 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/23, 7;30 p.m. at Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

7. Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, Ill.)
The Roadrunners won the IHSA Class 7A state title last season and return a breadth of talent led by junior and Michigan quarterback commit J.J. McCarthy. Senior lineman C. J. West and junior end Ryan Keeler anchor the defense. Considered the state’s top team in MaxPreps’ Best high school football team from all 50 states listing. Open ranked No. 67 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/31, 4 p.m. vs Cardinal Ritter College Prep (St. Louis, Mo.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

8. Muskegon (Mich.)
The Big Reds had their 27-game win streak snapped by King in the MHSAA Division 3 state final last year. They beat King during the regular season. Ohio State commit Cameron Martinez (28 offers) returns at quarterback. Senior end Billie Roberts anchors the defense. Muskegon opens at No. 61 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/30, 7 p.m. vs De La Salle Collegiate (Warren, Mich.) (Click here to follow live scoring)
9. East St. Louis (Ill.)
The Flyers own four of the state’s top 18 senior prospects – safety Antonio Johnson, defensive tackle Kevon Billingsly (Missouri), receiver Lawaun Powell and center Javontez Spraggins (Tennessee) – according to 247sports.com. They also possess three of the top 19 in-state junior prospects in receivers Dominic Lovett and Keontez Lewis and quarterback Tyler Macon. Expect a potent passing game. Ranked No. 79 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/31, 7 p.m. at Batavia (Ill.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

10. Mentor (Ohio)
Head coach Steve Trivisonno announced in February that this season (his 24th) will be his last. Expect the Cardinals to play hard in his finale. Dual threat quarterback Ian Kipp is considered a Top 20 prospect overall in Ohio and at his position nationally for 2021. A pair of standout seniors – receiver Luke Floriea (Boston College) and running back Brian Trobel – return at key skill positions. The Cardinals open at No. 63 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/29, 7:30 p.m. at No. 5 St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (Click here to follow live scoring)

Knocking on the Door…

Washington (Massillon, Ohio)
The Tigers only blemish last year was a loss to Hoban in the OHSAA Division II state final. Down 34-7 at half in that game, Massillon got to within 34-28 in the fourth. Senior quarterback Aidan Longwell returns as does a talented junior receiving tandem in Jayden Ballard (Ohio State) and Andrew Wilson-Lamp. Offensive tackle Terrence Rankl is one of the state’s Top 35 junior prospects. Senior safety Luke Murphy headlines the defense. Tigers are ranked No. 60 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/30, 7:30 p.m. vs St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) (Click here to follow live scoring)

Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.)
The Trojans will contend for the IHSAA Class 6A state title and have one of the best running backs in the country in junior Carson Steele. Steele has rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and 49 touchdowns through his first two years. Ranked No. 98 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/23, 7 p.m. at Warren Central (Indianapolis) (Click here to follow live scoring)

Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.)
Senior receiver and Michigan recruit A.J. Henning returns to lead an attack that generated 12 wins last year. Henning is the No. 1 overall prospect in Illinois according to 247sports.com. Senior defensive end Sean Mclaughlin (Northwestern), the state’s No. 12 overall recruit, anchors the defense. The Griffins are ranked No. 75 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/30, 7:30 p.m. vs Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Wildcats and legendary head coach Chuck Kyle (ranked the 6th best high school football coach of all-time by MaxPreps) own a state record 11 OHSAA state titles (all in Division I). No. 12 could be a couple months away. A strong senior nucleus returns led by receiver/cornerback Connor Cmiel, running back/safety Jack Welcsh, linebacker Connor Francz, linebacker Michael McNamara, tight end/defensive end Sam Daugstrup and quarterback Griffin Hanna. Ranked No. 85 in the MaxPreps preseason national rankings.
Up Next: 8/31, 2 p.m. vs Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.) (Click here to follow live scoring)

Keep An Eye On…

Phillips (Chicago)
Warren Central (Indianapolis)
La Salle (Cincinnati)
Coatesville (Pa.)
Oak Park (Mich.)
Muskego (Wis.)
Harrisburg (Pa.)
Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.)
New Palestine (Ind.)
West Bloomfield (Mich.)
Catholic Memorial (Waukesha, Wis.)
Eden Prairie (Minn.)