2016 Ohio high school football Division IV Region 16 preview

Players To Watch

* Reed Aichholz, Senior QB, Indian Hill
Threw for 2,568 yards and 31 touchdowns and ran for 1,105 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

* Andrew Marty, Senior QB, Wyoming
Northwestern commit.

* Antwuan Johnson, Junior LB, Dunbar (Dayton)
Transfer from Springfield has committed to Michigan.

* Ryan Markoff, Senior QB, Alter
All-GCL performer had 19 total touchdowns last year.

* Dan Becker, Senior LB, Indian Hill
All-Ohio selection had 136 tackles last year.

* Cody Bartrum, Senior QB, Meigs
All-Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year.

Teams To Beat

* Archbishop Alter (Kettering) - 10-2, Region 14 Semifinalist
The Knights have been to the playoffs 15 years in a row and won back-to-back state titles in 2008-09. They should challenge for their fifth state final appearance. Alter returns 10 All-GCL players led by senior quarterback Ryan Markoff (6-2, 195 with 607 yards passing, 946 yards rushing and 19 total touchdowns) and senior linebacker David Rueth (6-3, 200 with 66 tackles). In addition to Reuth, the defense, which returns its top six tacklers, will feature arguably the division's best linebacking corps with the return of junior standouts Alden Simms (6-1, 215 with 99 tackles), Jordan Coovert (6-2, 180 with 67 tackles) and Lane Harshbarger (5-10, 190 with 106 tackles). Senior defensive back Kyle Roshong (6-1, 190 with 83 tackles) is a good one. The offensive line anchors are seniors Jack Mochty (6-2, 210) and Nick Busher (6-3, 310). The senior wide receiving duo of Matt Zelinski (6-4, 190) and JP Schimpf (6-2, 195) is seasoned.

* Indian Hill (Cincinnati) - 11-1, Region 14 Semifinalist
Coming off their first postseason berth since 2007, the Braves have the firepower and tools for a deep postseason run. The offense features senior quarterback Reed Aichholz (6-5, 220 with Eastern Michigan offer) who threw for 2,568 yards and 31 touchdowns and ran for 1,105 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He is the reigning AP Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year. Other key returners include senior linebacker Dan Becker (6-4, 240 with 136 tackles), senior receiver/defensive back Dawson Aichholz (6-1, 190 with 46 receptions, 888 yards receiving, seven receiving touchdowns and four interceptions), senior defensive back Dorian McGruder (5-9, 180 with 56 tackles), junior athlete Colin Shaw (6-2, 180 with 39 receptions for 526 yards and three touchdowns) and senior running back/linebacker Zarian Hunter Cure (6-0, 190 with 420 yards rushing and six touchdowns). Expect senior Ben Wirthlin (5-11, 165 with 33 receptions for 363 yards), junior Mick Oakes (6-2, 205 with 51 tackles) and sophomore linebacker Demetrius Baylor (6-2, 205 with 63 tackles and 8.5 sacks) to contribute heavily.

Teams To Watch

* Badin (Hamilton) - 7-4, Region 14 Quarterfinalist
The Rams must replace 11 All-GCL Central selections. The good news? Key returners include senior OL Bret Rolfes (5-10, 210), junior linebacker Kegan Rogers (6-2, 190) and senior running back Andrew Walsh (6-0, 190).

* Chaminade-Julienne (Dayton) - 2-8
The Eagles, who open up a new downtown stadium against Marion Local in Week 1, will lean on junior quarterback Ryan Peltier (6-1, 180) who started all 10 games last year and earned second team All-GCL North honors.

* Clinton-Massie (Clarksville) - 11-2, Region 14 Finalist
The Falcons are 52-4 the last four years and won back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 13. Head coach Dan McSurely (205-70 in 20 years) and staff will lean on several new - and experienced – faces. Senior running back Brad Hunt (5-8, 200) and junior running back Jacob Wolf (6-2, 210) will carry the bulk of the load. Hunt ran for 469 yards and eight touchdowns last year, while Wolf ran for 305 and eight, respectively. Other key contributors will be senior tight end/linebacker Tyler Uetrecht (6-2, 220 with three receiving touchdowns) and junior receiver/defensive back Luke Richardson (6-0, 160 with three receiving touchdowns). The defense returns five players that logged over 30 tackles a year ago.

* Dunbar (Dayton) - 5-5
The Wolverines will feature several explosive players including senior athlete Keyshawn Jones, junior athlete Joseph Scates and junior linebacker Antwuan Johnson. Jones had 45 tackles, 30 receptions, 308 yards receiving and five touchdowns last year, while Scates had 749 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns. Johnson, a transfer from Division I Springfield, has committed to Michigan and is one of the state's top underclass prospects.

* Bishop Fenwick (Franklin) - 13,1 Region 14 Champion, State Semifinalist
The Falcons had the best season in program history. Now who fills the holes? Fenwick lost eight first team All-GCL North players and 15 overall. Senior quarterback Alan Nix (5-9, 170) assumes the starting role after throwing for 454 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 258 yards and seven touchdowns as a back-up last year. Also back is junior linebacker Sammy Debiasi (6-2, 210 with 60 tackles), senior fullback/linebacker Jake Denning (5-11, 190) and senior offensive lineman Josh Berning (6-3, 230).

* Valley View (Germantown) – 5-5
The Spartans own 17 playoff berths in the last 24 years but have only reached the postseason once since 2009. Senior running back Jake Neatherton has scored 26 touchdowns in two years. Senior defensive lineman Konner Smith had 26 tackles-for-loss and 10 sacks last year.

* Wyoming (Cincinnati) – 8-3, Region 14 Quarterfinals
The Cowboys return 13 starters including seven on offense. Senior quarterback Andrew Marty (6-4, 225) is a special talent that has committed to Northwestern. He returns after being lost for the season with a knee-injury in Week 3. Marty has accounted for 30 career touchdowns. Senior receiver Jake Edmonds (5-11, 170) returns after catching 56 passes for 718 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also back is senior tight end Jack Gildea (6-4, 215) and sophomore athlete Joey Edmonds (5-10, 160) who threw for 953 yards and 14 touchdowns as Marty's back-up last season. The defense will be led by sophomore linebacker Pierson Rogers (5-11, 200 with 85 tackles), senior defensive back Deandre Griffin (5-9, 165 with 59 tackles and five interceptions) and senior defensive back Elijah Kemper (5-11, 165 with 36 tackles). Junior defensive line Joshua Malone (6-4, 250 with 72 tackles) is one to watch.

Keep An Eye On

* Mariemont (Cincinnati) - 6-4
The Warriors will feature senior running back Ryan Fields (6-0, 185 with 11 career touchdowns) and junior running back Alec Vianello (6-1, 165 with four touchdowns).

* Meigs (Pomeroy) - 6-4
The Marauders return senior quarterback and All-Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year Cody Bartrum (6-1, 200) who threw for 2,206 yards and 17 touchdowns and ran for 418 yards and nine touchdowns.

* Madison Senior (Middletown) - 7-3
The Mohawks return a solid senior nucleus of specialist Logan Alward, defensive back Ryan Friend, linebacker Donovan King and offensive lineman Joey Prince. All were All-SWBL Buckeye Division last year.

* Monroe - 6-4
The Hornets will rely on the senior quartet of defensive lineman Cedric Armstrong, kicker Nick Amaya, offensive lineman Dakota Fannin and defensive back Alex Bannister.

* Reading - 9-2, Region 14 Quarterfinalist
The Blue Devils bounced back from a 4-6 season to make the playoffs. Key returners include senior running back Baden Pinson (756 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns), senior linebacker Joe Williams (65 tackles), junior linebacker Mancini Jackson (74 tackles), junior defensive lineman Andy Combs (65 tackles) and senior defensive back Alex Wachendorf (324 yards receiving and four touchdowns). All were All-CHL last season.

* Taylor (Cleves) - 5-5
The Yellow Jackets will lean on senior quarterback Evan Lamb (5-11, 190) who threw for 935 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

* Unioto (Chillicothe) - 5-5
The Shermans return senior quarterback and first team All-Southeast District selection Clay Edler (5-10, 165).

* Waverly - 5-5
The Tigers return senior running back and first team All-Southeast District selection Drew Harris (6-0, 185).

* Waynesville - 4-6
The Spartans have been to the playoffs seven times in nine years. Junior quarterback Logan Bloom returns after throwing for 1,182 yards and accounting for 18 total touchdowns.

Also In This Region

Taft (Cincinnati) 7-3, Region 14 Quarterfinalist
Logan Elm (Circleville) 6-4
Oakwood (Dayton) 5-5
Circleville 6-4
Meadowdale (Dayton) 4-6
Washington (Washington Courthouse) 4-6
Batavia 3-7
McClain (Greenfield) 2-8
Gallia Academy (Gallipolis) 1-9