2016 MaxPreps/JJHuddle Ohio high school football Division VI preseason state poll

Video: Owen Loncar junior year
See the Kirtland star in action last season


1. Marion Local (Maria Stein) - 13-2, state runner-up, Region 22 champion
The Flyers had their string of four straight state titles (two in D-VI and two in D-VII) snapped last year when they fell to Kirtland in the state final. The defense should be stout. Key returning seniors include linebacker Cole Unrast (6-foot-2, 220 pounds), defensive end Jon Knapschaefer (6-3, 205), linebacker Jack Homan (6-2, 210) and defensive lineman Dylan Keller (5-11, 245). The offensive line will be a strength with the return of senior Luke Moorman (5-11, 235) and junior John Dirksen (6-6, 290, one of the state's top junior prospects). Both were all-MAC. Head coach Tim Goodwin is 197-42 in 17 years. The Flyers have eight state titles (all since 2000) and are 59-10 all-time in the playoffs.

2. Kirtland - 14-1, state champion, Region 19 champion
The Hornets made a fifth-straight appearance in the state finals and won their third state title in that time frame by ending Marion Local's state record 24-game postseason win streak. Expect them to be in contention for title No. 4. Head coach Tiger Laverde is 119-14 in 10 years and the Hornets are 72-3 in their last 75 games. Key senior returners are running back/linebacker Owen Loncar (5-11, 170), defensive lineman Antonio Rini (5-10, 160) and lineman Jonathon Miller (6-0, 190). All three were all-Ohio last year.

3. Mechanicsburg - 12-1, Region 22 finalist
The Indians have been one of Ohio's top small-school programs the last three years (two regional finals). Expect another run. Senior quarterback Kaleb Romero (5-8, 160) has thrown for 1,000 yards each of the last three seasons (4,100 yards) and 45 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 3,979 yards and 46 scores. Romero has 234 tackles in three years as a defensive back as well. Senior Gavin Erwin (5-8, 155) ran for 422 yards and five touchdowns last year. Senior lineman Dylan Hartley (6-1, 245 with 50 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss) will anchor both lines. Junior linebacker John Samples (5-9, 190) led the team in tackles last year (85). Junior linebacker Drew Myers (5-10, 190) ranked tied for second (64) with Romero.

4. Liberty Center - 6-4
The Tigers are looking for the program's 17th playoff berth and first since 2012. They should restore the roar and then some. Senior running back Zach Carpenter (6-1, 190) is a two-time all-NWOAL selection. Two returning first team all-NWOAL selections will be blocking for Carpenter in seniors Blake Graber and Christian Dawe. On defense, senior defensive end Christian Chambers and Graber anchor the front seven. Other key contributors will be sophomore offensive lineman Caleb Carpenter (6-1, 205), junior defensive lineman Lucas Frankforther (6-1, 265), senior tight end Zane Peterson and senior offensive lineman Austin Bachman (6-0, 200).

5. Jefferson (Delphos) - 10-2, Region 22 semifinalist
The Wildcats return six all-NWC players and will feature an extremely talented senior trio in running back Hunter Binkley (5-8, 160 with 1,500 yards rushing and 23 scores), wide receiver/defensive back Drew Reiss (6-1, 170 with 32 tackles and three interceptions) and quarterback/defensive back Jace Stockwell (5-11, 170 with 1,240 yards passing and 16 touchdowns). Junior running back Brenen Auer (5-7, 185 with 900 all-purpose yards and nine scores) will get carries as well behind a line anchored by senior Chase Harman (6-1, 245). The defensive line features senior Brandan Herron (6-4, 290 with 32 tackles) and junior Davion Tyson (6-4, 210 with 40 tackles). Seniors Drake Schmitt (6-5, 210), Nick Long (6-4, 260), Spencer Wannemacher (6-2, 210) and Eli Edie (5-9, 185) add depth and size to the lines. Keep an eye on the senior trio of receiver/defensive back Ryan Wittler (6-0, 170), running back/defensive back Jacob Boop (5-7, 160) and tight end/linebacker Jordan Boop (5-10, 185). Head coach Chris Sommers is 18-5 in two years.

6. Cuyahoga Heights (Cleveland) - 10-3, Region 19 finalist
In head coach Al Martin's 19 seasons, the Redskins haven't had a losing record and have been to the playoffs 17 times. CH returns three all-Ohio players in senior quarterback Brett Lowther (6-1, 170), senior linebacker Chad McDaniel (5-10, 185) and junior defensive back Dylan Drummond (6-0, 165).

7. Columbiana - 9-2, Region 19 quarterfinalist
The Clippers went from 3-7 in 2014 to the playoffs last year. Senior quarterback Mitch Davidson (6-0, 190) returns after earning first team all-Ohio honors. Davidson threw for 2,735 yards 30 touchdowns and just one interception. He also ran for 1,137 yards and 16 scores. Senior defensive lineman Keenan Green (6-1, 230 with 118 tackles and 20 tackles for loss) anchors a strong unit that also features senior defensive lineman Saun Congemi (5-11, 200 with 103 tackles and 11 tackles for loss), senior defensive back Tanner Pearl (5-8, 165 with 69 tackles) and senior defensive back Conner Stacey (6-1, 175 with 91 tackles).

8. West Liberty-Salem (West Liberty) - 9-3, Region 22 semifinalist
The Tigers have been in the playoffs 10 of the last 12 years. Expect that trend to continue thanks to the program's biggest senior class (15) in some time. Head coach Dan McGill (30-8 in 3 years) and WLS will lean on the senior trio of offensive lineman/defensive end Trent Schmucker (6-3, 230), lineman/defensive end Adam Schultz (6-3, 225) and running back Brandon Wolfe (5-9, 185). Other key senior contributors will quarterback/defensive back Luke Woods (5-10, 165), wide receiver/defensive back Sam Strickland (5-11, 170), receiver/defensive back Jerrett Smith (5-10, 160) and tight end/linebacker Chase Humphrey (5-9, 180). Juniors Trevor Burden (6-3, 250) and Tevon McNutt (5-10, 235) add experience and depth to the lines. Junior running back/linebacker Braden Miller (5-10, 190) impacts both sides of the ball.

9. Barnesville - 7-3
After back-to-back 2-8 seasons, the Shamrocks won seven games last year. Expect another jump and the program's first playoff berth since 2006. Barnesville returns four seniors who earned first team all-East District last year in quarterback Matthew Burkhart (6-1, 180 pounds), running back Cade Bunfill (6-0-200), wide receiver Cade Hannahs (5-10, 170) and offensive lineman Brady Treherne (5-8, 220).

10. River (Hannibal) - 9-2, Region 21 quarterfinalist
The Pilots are looking for the school's first back-to-back playoff appearances since 2007-08. Expectations are high. Junior running back Lukas Isaly (5-10, 160) returns after sharing all-East District Offensive POY honors last season. Isaly ran for 1,204 yards and 16 touchdowns on 174 carries and had 641 yards and nine scores receiving on 37 receptions. Juniors Luke Matusik (6-2, 215) and Cody Saksa (5-10, 185) will anchor the lines.

Keep an Eye On * Newark Catholic - 8-3, Region 21 quarterfinalist
The Green Wave own 34 playoff berths and nine state titles. Senior receiver/defensive back Tanner Lake (6-1, 160) is a key returner.

* Allen East (Harrod) - 6-4
The Mustangs went from three wins to six and want to sustain the momentum. A pair of all-NWC seniors return in defensive back/running back Caleb Smelcer and quarterback Spencer Miller. The defense will lean on the senior trio of linebacker Brent Wilson, lineman Jesse Erevia and defensive back Shane Gipson.

* Gibsonburg - 10-1, Region 20 quarterfinalist
After winning nine games in 2012 and 2013 combined, the Golden Bears have won 19 since. Senior quarterback Ryan Clark (6-1, 205) was first team all-Northwest District and the TAAC Offensive POY last year after throwing for 2,408 yards and 31 touchdowns and running for 516 yards and eight scores. Senior lineman Trent Hovis (6-0, 260) was first team all-TAAC both sides of ball and anchors the lines.

* Patrick Henry (Hamler) - 5-5
After 11 straight postseason berths, the Patriots have been home for Week 11 three years in a row. Senior running back Donny Johnson (5-10, 175 with 1,305 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns) is a two-time all-NWOAL selection. Other key senior contributors include linebacker Trey Zimmer, Mason Fintel, Kent Petersen, Mitch Bonner and Alex Van De Bussche.

* Seneca East (Attica) - 8-3, Region 20 quarterfinalist
The Tigers went from 2-8 in 2014 to the playoffs. Senior quarterback Brennan Martin (6-4, 205) was first team all-N10 last year.

* Van Buren - 9-4, Region 20 finalist
The Black Knights have gone 18-7 and reached the regional semifinals and finals the last two years. Senior defensive back Braxton Fasone (6-5, 185 with six interceptions) returns after an all-BVC campaign.

* Wynford (Bucyrus) - 9-2, Region 20 quarterfinalist
Three years removed from having their 63-game regular season win streak snapped, the Royals made the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 years. Senior quarterback Zach Hoffman (5-11, 160) returns after earning first team N10 and all-Northwest District honors. The team must replace 12 all-N10 selections.

* McDonald - 7-3
The Blue Devils have been to the playoffs seven times in the last 10 years. Senior tight end/defensive back Dylan Portolese (6-3, 175) is a two-time all-ITCL selection. Other key returning seniors are tight end/defensive end Dale Wolford (6-0, 206), running back/defensive back Joe Celli (5-8, 165), running back/defensive back Mike Zarbaugh (5-8, 182) and wide receiver Joe Sudol (6-1, 180).

* Columbia - 10-1, Region 19 quarterfinalist
The Raiders are coming off the best four-year stretch in program history (39-6) and are looking for another postseason berth. Senior linebacker Mike Jacobucci (5-11, 180 with 72 tackles and eight tackles for loss) was all-Ohio last year. Sophomore running back Brandon Coleman (6-1, 185) should have a huge year after running for 753 yards and 11 scores last season. Senior linebacker Jared Heidecker (6-0, 160 with 65 tackles) will contribute heavily.

* Bishop Ready (Columbus) - 6-4
After winning the program's third regional title in 2013, the Silver Knights are trying to get back to the playoffs. A pair of junior standouts – running back Devin Dukes (5-10, 215) and defensive back Tristin Siemer (5-10, 175) – will contribute heavily. Dukes ran for 1,709 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

* Grandview Heights (Columbus) - 12-2, state semifinalist, Region 21 champion
The Bobcats, coming off the program's first regional title, return a solid nucleus along the lines in juniors James Lachey (6-4, 225) and Brandon Spaulding (6-1, 240). Sophomore running back Hudson Jump had 632 yards and six TDs last season.