2016 Ohio high school football Division II Region 8 preview

Video: Junior year highlight
See Loveland's Luke Waddell in action


Players To Watch

* Luke Waddell, Senior RB, Loveland
The Georgia Tech baseball commit holds school career records for rushing yards (4,841) and touchdowns (73).

* Gerald Smith, Senior WR, Harrison
Smith accounted for 16 touchdowns last year.

* Tyler Knecht, Senior QB, Kings
Knecht has accounted for 53 touchdowns in two years.

* Luke Bohenek, Senior RB, Turpin
Bohenek had over 2,000 total yards and 23 touchdowns last year.

* Matt Sichterman, Senior OL, Kings
Sichterman is a Nebraska commit.

* Jerron Cage, Senior DL, Winton Woods
Cage is committed to Ohio State.

* Jarell White, Senior LB, La Salle
White holds multiple offers, including Iowa, Illinois, Boston College and Cincinnati.

* Tresean Smith, Senior DB, La Salle
The Louisville commit had 53 tackles and seven interceptions last year.

* Andre Gordon, Sophomore QB, Sidney
Gordon accounted for 22 touchdowns as a freshman.

* Jamal Hines, Senior DE, Princeton
Hines is a Cincinnati commit. Team To Beat

* Kings (Kings Mill) – 11-2, Region 6 finalist
The Knights have been to the postseason 11 times in 14 years and are looking for a return trip and more. Senior quarterback Tyler Knecht (6-3, 210) returns after throwing for 2,441 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. He also ran for 800 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior Justin Wise (6-1, 180 with 45 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns) is the team's top returning receiver. Senior offensive lineman Matt Sichterman (6-5, 260) has committed to Nebraska. Senior defensive lineman Dan Sichterman (6-4, 240 with 48 tackles and 10.5 sacks last year) holds several offers, including Air Force, UConn and Ball State.

Teams To Watch

* Edgewood (Trenton) – 7-3
The Cougars return some firepower on offense, including their top six rushers. Senior quarterback Drew Reckart (5-11, 175) returns after throwing for 1,372 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. He also ran for six touchdowns. The running back stable is headlined by senior Devon Garrett (5-10, 165 with 654 yards and nine touchdowns), senior Dakota Schramm (5-11, 195 with 566 yards and eight touchdowns), junior Jake Paulsen (6-2, 185 with 310 yards and two touchdowns) and senior Thomas Lindsay (5-10, 155 with 519 yards and two touchdowns). Senior Eddie Driskell (6-5, 190) was the team's receiving leader with 25 catches for 540 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

* Glen Este (Cincinnati) – 8-3, region 6 quarterfinalist
The Trojans are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances and trying to secure three straight for just the second time in history and first time since 2006. They have to replace their leading thrower, rusher and top three receivers.

* Harrison – 7-3
The Wildcats have been to the postseason four times in six years and head coach Kent McCullough (33-21 entering his sixth season) is excited about this year's potential. Senior receiver Gerald Smith (5-10, 175) returns after catching 44 passes for 705 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He also carried the ball 30 times for 372 yards and nine touchdowns. Also back are senior defensive back Drew Banks (6-0, 175 with 78 tackles) and senior two-way lineman Jordan Young (6-3, 305). Junior Frankie Young (6-3, 185) steps in at quarterback.

* La Salle (Cincinnati) – 13-2, State Champion, Region 6 champion
After going 3-7 in 2013, the Lancers are 27-3 and have won back-to-back state titles. Impressive. The defense will be exceptionally stout with the return of two elite seniors in linebacker Jarell White (5-11, 200) and defensive back Tre-Sean Smith (6-3, 180). White, who had 75 tackles last year, holds multiple offers including Iowa, Illinois, Boston College and Cincinnati. Smith, who had 53 tackles and seven interceptions last year, is committed to Louisville. The offensive line took a hit when senior prospect Thayer Munford (6-5, 325) transferred to Massillon Washington (where former La Salle coach Nate Moore is). Replacing the GCL's all-time leading rusher – Northwestern University freshman Jeremy Larkin – is a huge hurdle.

* Loveland – 6-4
After going 15-0 and winning the D-II state championship in 2013, the Tigers have gone 6-4 in back-to-back seasons. Senior running back Luke Waddell (5-8, 165) is a rare talent who already holds school career records for rushing yards (4,841) and touchdowns (73). He's committed to Georgia Tech for baseball.

* Miamisburg – 9-2, Region 6 quarterfinalist
The Vikings continue to excel under veteran head coach Steve Channel. "The Burg" has gone 31-12 the last four years and is coming off three straight playoff appearances. The Vikings won just four games from 2008-2011. The offensive line will be a huge strength with the return of seniors Josh Myers (6-5, 275) and Cody Lamb (6-4, 260). Myers has committed to Ohio State and is the country's top prospect at his position. Lamb is committed to Cincinnati. They'll open holes for junior running back Tony Clark, who ran for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. Also back is senior running back Jake Ross, who ran for 524 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Junior Tyler Johnson led the team in receiving with 26 catches for 502 yards and eight touchdowns. The defense is led by senior linebacker Jake Brown, who led the team in tackles with 78.

* Turpin (Cincinnati) – 10-2, Region 6 semifinalist
The Spartans will feature senior running back Luke Bohenek (6-3, 190), who ran for 1,620 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. He also caught 44 passes for 407 yards and five touchdowns.

* Winton Woods (Cincinnati) – 5-4
The Warriors will feature two of Ohio's top defenders in senior lineman Jerron Cage (6-3 260) and junior linebacker Chris Oats (6-4, 210). Cage is committed to Ohio State. Oates is a top underclass prospect.

Keep An Eye On

* Butler (Vandalia) – 7-4, Region 6 quarterfinalist
The Aviators, under new head coach Nathan Hyatt, return a pair of key juniors on offense in running back Logan Flatt (5-11, 180) and receiver Treylann Sanders (6-1, 185). Flatt ran 544 yards and eight touchdowns last year, while Sanders led the team in receiving with 21 receptions for 382 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior linebacker Matt Grossman (6-0, 220) is the team's top returning tackler (57 stops last year).

* Lima Senior (Lima) – 9-3, Region 6 semifinalist
The Spartans graduated a lot of talent that helped achieve back-to-back playoff appearances. Key returning seniors include receiver Jaden Walker (5-11, 178) and offensive lineman Darius Collins (6-2, 280).

* Princeton (Cincinnati) – 3-7
The Vikings and new head coach Pat Mclaughlin will lean on senior defensive lineman Jamal Hines (6-3, 225), who has committed to Cincinnati.

* Sidney – 6-4
The Yellow Jackets have one of the state's top sophomores in quarterback Andre Gordon (6-0, 170), who threw for 1,373 yards and 10 touchdowns and ran for 868 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman. Also back is junior running back Isaiah Bowser (5-10, 170) who ran for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago.

* Stebbins (Riverside) – 7-3
The Indians will feature senior quarterback David Hickey (5-9, 170), who ran for 1,140 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. The defense will be led by senior linebacker Andrew Covey (6-2, 225).

* Teays Valley (Ashville) - 8-3, Region 6 quarterfinalist
After going 3-7 in 2013, the Vikings have reached the postseason back-to-back seasons. Those are two of the program's four total playoff berths.

* Xenia – 5-5
According to veteran head coach Bob DeLong, the Buccaneers will field the strongest team they have in the coach's seven years at the school. Xenia had 23 players test out over 1,000 pounds in three core lifts. DeLong said it should be "the best offensive and defensive lines we have fielded in a while." Key returning senior linemen include Daniel Beam (6-3, 275), Devin Hatfield (5-11, 265), Kyle Hollen (5-11, 210) and Kenton McWharter (5-9, 190). The linebacking corps of senior Ken Klontz (5-11, 205) and junior Roman Johnson (6-0, 210 with over 300 career tackles) is a good one.

Also In This Region

Withrow (Cincinnati) 4-6
Tecumseh (New Carlisle) 4-6
Marion Harding (Marion) 4-6
Troy 2-8
Walnut Hills (Cincinnati) 2-8
Fairborn 2-8
Little Miami (Morrow) 2-8
Anderson (Cincinnati) 1-9
West Carrollton 1-8
Amelia (Batavia) 1-9