2016 Ohio high school football Division I Region 4 preview

Video: Amir Riep ultimate highlights


Players to Watch

* Amir Riep, Senior DB, Colerain
The Ohio State commit has 48 offers.

* Sean Clifford, Senior QB, St. Xavier
The Penn State commit threw for 1,746 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

* Ra'von Bonner, Senior RB, Sycamore
Bonner ran for 1,429 yards and 27 touchdowns last year.

* Jackson Carman, Junior OL, Fairfield
Considered by many as the state's top junior prospect, he holds 31 offers including Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Alabama, Clemson, Oregon and Notre Dame.

* Matt Dotson, Senior TE, Archbishop Moeller
Dotson is a Michigan State commit.

* Nick Kovacs, Senior WR, Springboro
The Toledo commit caught 78 passes for 1,190 yards and 19 touchdowns last year.

* Keontae Jones, Senior DB, Colerain
Jones has 17 offers, including Wisconsin, Iowa, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Louisville.

* Zelwyn Robinson, Senior RB, Lakota West
Robinson rushed for 607 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

* Malik Vann, Junior DE, Fairfield
The prized underclassman has 15 offers, including Notre Dame, Michigan State and Oregon.

* Alex King, Senior DE, Mason
King is a Kentucky commit.

* Aeneas Hawkins, Junior DL, Moeller
Hawkins has offers from Florida State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Florida and Tennessee among others.

* Dakota Allen, Senior QB, Lebanon
The Eastern Kentucky commit has thrown for 3,879 yards and accounted for 48 total touchdowns in two years.

* Matt Bockhorst, Senior OL, St. Xavier
Bockhorst is a Clemson commit. Teams To Beat

* Colerain (Cincinnati) – 12-2, state semifinalist, Region 2 finalist
Many believe the Cardinals are the No. 1 team in Ohio - again. It's hard to argue they're not. Colerain returns seven first team all-GMC players and a defense that could rival the best Ohio's ever produced. Senior defensive back and Ohio State commit Amir Riep (5-11, 185) headlines a senior-laden secondary that is ridiculously talented and also includes Keontae Jones (6-1 175) and Darrian Beavers (6-2, 210). Jones has 17 offers including Wisconsin, Iowa, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Louisville. Beavers has been offered by Ball State and Miami (Ohio). The linebacking corps includes senior Kyle Bolden (6-1, 212) and junior Dan Bolden (6-1, 218). Kyle Bolden holds offers from Illinois, Indiana and Cincinnati among others. Dan Bolden has been offered by Iowa State. Senior defensive lineman Howard Watkins (6-5, 280) holds 11 offers, including Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, East Carolina and Rutgers. The offense will be led by senior running back and three-year starter Monalo Caldwell (5-9, 210) who ran for 1,343 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

* Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) – 5-5
After going 36-8 with two D-I state titles from 2012-2014, the Crusaders stumbled last season. Expect a rebound. Moeller may field the best lines in the state this season. The offensive front will feature seniors Jacob Gall (6-3, 290) and Samari Saddler (6-2, 285) and sophomore Zach Carpenter (6-3, 270). Senior running back Hunter Hughes (5-11, 195 with 743 yards rushing and three touchdowns) and junior running back Colin Thurman (5-10, 190 with 392 yards and a touchdown) were the team's top two rushers last season. Senior tight end Matt Dotson (6-5, 235 with 191 yards receiving and two touchdowns) has committed to Michigan State. The defense must replace its top 10 tacklers but does return a pair of standout linemen in junior Aeneas Hawkins (6-3, 265) and senior Jeremy Meiser (6-3, 260). Meiser is committed to Old Dominion, while Hawkins has offers from Florida State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Florida and Tennessee among others.

Teams To Watch

* Centerville – 6-4
The Elks and second-year head coach Rodney Roberts (124-88 overall) must replace 11 all-GWCO Central Division performers. Senior athlete Colin DeBord (6-1, 180) has committed to Bowling Green. DeBord, who caught 25 passes for 440 yards and seven touchdowns last year, could move to quarterback. Senior defensive back Austin Hanes (5-11, 16) had 43 tackles last year and a team-high five interceptions.

* Fairfield – 8-3, Region 2 first round
The Indians and head coach Jason Krause return a solid nucleus led by junior offensive lineman Jack Carmen (6-6, 290), senior defensive back Josiah Scott and junior linebacker Malik Vann (6-2, 249). Carmen, considered by many as the state's top junior prospect, holds 31 offers including Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Alabama, Clemson, Oregon and Notre Dame. Vann, also a prized underclassman, has 15 offers including Notre Dame, Michigan State and Oregon. Scott holds 13 offers including Michigan State, Iowa, Pitt and West Virginia.

* Lakota West (West Chester) – 7-3
The Firebirds finished just outside the playoffs last year (17th in computer points). Expect a return to the postseason. Senior running back Zelwyn Robinson (5-7, 180) is back after rushing for 607 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. He also led the team with 30 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Tony White III (6-3, 200) returns after throwing for 1,003 yards and three touchdowns. The defense features a standout senior at each level in lineman David Gunny Walcott (6-1, 225), linebacker Alssan Ramsby (5-11, 205) and defensive back Marcos Aull (6-1, 185 with five interceptions).

* Lebanon – 4-6
The Warriors appear on the verge. Senior quarterback Dakota Allen (6-5, 200) has 3,879 yards passing and 48 total touchdowns in two years. He's committed to Eastern Kentucky. The senior trio of running back Dawson Wolf (6-0, 185 with 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns in two years), tight end Nick Taylor (6-0, 190 with 31 receptions for 508 yards and three touchdowns) and receiver Zach Barsala (5-11, 180 with 28 receptions for 409 yards and five touchdowns) add explosiveness.

* Milford – 4-6
The Eagles offense should shine. Senior quarterback Tyler Smith (6-2, 180) and senior running back Dawson Slone (5-7, 175) return. Smith threw for 1,182 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 375 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Slone ran for 788 yards and seven touchdowns.

* St. Xavier (Cincinnati) – 7-5, Region 2 quarterfinalist
The Bombers have been to the postseason seven times in a row. Senior quarterback and Penn State commit Sean Clifford (6-3, 210) threw for 1,746 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. Has accounted for 29 career touchdowns. Up front senior offensive lineman Matt Bockhorst (6-4, 295) has committed to Clemson. Junior athlete Pete Rumpke (6-2, 170) ran for six touchdowns last year. Senior Louie Raines (5-11, 165) was the team's second-leading receiver last year (with 383 yards receiving and two touchdowns). The defense must replace its top six tacklers.

* Springboro – 9-3, Region 2 quarterfinalist
The Panthers keep rolling. Boro is 36-8 the last four years with four D-I playoff berths. Head coach Ryan Wilhite (72-33) and company will lean on a strong ground game powered by senior running back Liam Foley (5-10, 195) and junior Dylan Jones (6-2, 200). Foley ran for 674 yards and six touchdowns last year, while Jones ran for 883 and 13, respectively. Boro's most explosive player is senior receiver and Toledo commit Nick Kovacs (6-2, 195), who caught 78 passes for 1,190 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. Senior linebacker Ethen Miller (5-9, 190) led the team in tackles with 70.

* Sycamore (Cincinnati) – 4-6
The Aviators will lean on one of the state's top running backs in senior Ra'Von Bonner (5-11, 185). Bonner, who has offers from Cincinnati and several MAC schools, ran for 1,429 yards and 27 touchdowns last year. He'll be joined in the backfield by senior quarterback Jake Borman (6-0, 180), who had 1,321 yards passing and 11 total touchdowns.

Keep An Eye On

* Elder (Cincinnati) – 9-4, Region 2 semifinalist
The Panthers must replace 13 all-GCL South performers.

* Hamilton – 4-6
Big Blue will lean on senior receiver Vince Sanford (6-1, 190), who had 43 receptions for 662 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

* Lakota East (Liberty Township) – 3-7
The Thunderhawks will feature senior running back Tyler Glenn (5-11, 22), who ran for 705 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

* Mason – 8-3, Region 2 first round
Senior defensive end Alex King (6-4, 235) is one of the state's top defenders and has committed to Kentucky. The Comets offense will be led by senior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (1,095 yards passing and 11 touchdowns) and junior running back Matt Sora (559 yards rushing and nine touchdowns).

* Middletown – 4-6
Junior quarterback Blake Marshall (5-10, 175) returns after throwing for seven touchdowns and rushing for four more last year.

* Oak Hills (Cincinnati) – 1-9
The Highlanders will feature junior quarterback Jacob Woycke, who returns after throwing for 2,947 yards and 23 touchdowns. Also back are four of the team's top five receivers in junior Dashawn Lewis, senior Kyle Montag, senior Jason Smith and senior Brandon Wieck.

* Northmont (Clayton) – 3-7
The T-Bolts will feature senior quarterback Brenden Reck (5-10, 160 with 923 yards passing and nine touchdowns) and senior linebacker Chuck Saul (5-11, 220 with 57 tackles).

Also In This Region

Western Hills (Cincinnati) 2-8