2016 Ohio high school football Division IV Region 15 preview

Players To Watch

* Charles Reeves Jr., Senior TE, Steubenville
Has 13 offers including Alabama, Michigan and Penn State.

* Brennan Armstrong, Junior QB, Shelby
Has offers from North Carolina, Virginia and Iowa Sate.

* Jeff Nogaj, Senior OL, Johnstown-Monroe
Has committed to Iowa Sate.

* Zach Bigelow, Senior QB, St. Clairsville
First team All-Eastern District.

* Cody Workman, Senior RB, Johnstown-Monroe
Ran for 1,571 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.

* Konnor Roberts, Senior QB, Meadowbrook
First team All-Eastern District selection threw for 18 touchdowns last year.

* Cory Carlisle, Senior RB, Indian Valley
First team All-Eastern District.

* Hunter Alley, Senior DL, Johnstown-Monroe
Had 77 tackles and 26 tackles-for-loss last year.

Team To Beat

* Johnstown-Monroe (Johnstown) - 12-1, Region 14 Finalist
The Johnnies have made the postseason four of the last five years and have reached three regional finals over that span. Expect another extended run. Senior offensive lineman Jeff Nogaj (6-5, 325) has committed to Iowa State. He'll help open holes for a three-pronged senior ground game featuring quarterback Cody Workman (5-11, 180), running back Andrew Sayer (5-11, 195) and running back Justin Franklin (6-1, 203). Workman has 2,551 career rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Sayer ran for 1,106 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, while Franklin ran for 772 and 10, respectively. The defense is strong. Senior defensive lineman Hunter Alley (6-4, 210) had 77 tackles and 26 tackles-for-loss last year. Also back are senior linebacker Jesse Farley (5-11, 160 with 71 tackles), senior defensive back Isaia Jacob (5-10, 160 with 60 tackles) and defensive end Brandon Siegfried (6-5, 200 with 52 tackles and 16 sacks).

Teams To Watch

* Indian Creek (Wintersville) – 7-4, Region 13 Quarterfinalist
The Redskins have been to the playoffs three times in five years and are looking for a program record eighth straight winning season. Expect Creek to lean heavily on senior defensive back Robert Coppa (5-10, 175), senior receiver Greg Wade (5-10, 160), senior defensive lineman Jabari Taylor (6-0, 220) and junior linebacker Keith Maple (5-9, 170).

* Licking Valley (Newark) – 6-5, Region 13 Quarterfinalist
The Panthers have been to the postseason three years in a row and have the firepower to make it four. Health is key. Senior linebacker Briar Hartshorn (6-0, 175 with 75 tackles) leads the defense. Key junior returners include quarterback Jake Lewis (6-2, 170), receiver/defensive back Gunnar Carpenter (5-9, 145 with 36 tackles), receiver/defensive back Ethan Brechbill (5-10, 165 with 50 tackles and four interceptions), lineman Austin Collins (6-2, 245 with 34 tackles) and fullback/defensive lineman Austin Schotts (5-9, 170 with 28 tackles). Head coach Randy Baughman is 285-91-1 in 34 years.

* Meadowbrook (Byesville) – 9-2, Region 13 Quarterfinalist
The Colts, who recorded their first winning season since 2005 in 2013, earned the program's first playoff berth last season. Time to continue the climb. Senior quarterback Konnor Roberts (6-0, 190) returns after earning first team All-Eastern District honors. Roberts threw for 1,841 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. He also ran for four touchdowns. Other key returners are senior receiver Parker Black (6-2, 190), senior receiver Ben Davis (5-11, 180), senior running back Trevor Stevens (5-11, 180) and junior offensive lineman Jud Ramage (5-11, 190). Black caught 37 passes for 735 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Davis had 46 receptions for 728 yards and four touchdowns. Stevens ran for 380 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Meadowbrook returns four defenders that logged over 30 tackles, led by defensive lineman Ramage (57 tackles).

* St. Clairsville – 9-2, Region 13 Semifinalist
The Red Devils made the playoffs for the sixth time in a row and for the ninth time in 10 years. Senior quarterback Zach Bigelow (6-0, 190) was first team All-Eastern District.

* Shelby – 5-5
The Whippets haven't been to the playoffs since 2010 but that should change this season. Junior quarterback Brennan Armstrong (6-2, 195) currently holds six offers including North Carolina, Virginia and Iowa State. Other key contributors are junior running back Devon Brooks (5-9, 155), senior defensive lineman Devin Williams (6-2, 290) and senior defensive lineman Derek Rose (6-1, 200).

* Steubenville – 13-1, State Runner-Up, Region 13 Champion
Big Red earned its 28th postseason berth last year and won a third straight regional title. Another deep postseason run should be in the cards for veteran head coach Reno Saccoccia (315-54 in 30 years). Senior tight end Charles Reeves (6-6, 240) holds 13 offers including Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

Keep An Eye On

* Fairfield Union (Lancaster) - 4-6
The Falcons feature a good one in junior linebacker Colin Woodside (6-5, 250).

* Heath – 5-5
The Bulldogs have the ingredients to contend for the postseason. Senior quarterback Aaron Latiolais (5-9, 170) returns as does junior receiver Simon Romine (5-10, 150) and senior linebacker Daulton Brown (5-9, 225).

* Indian Valley (Gnadenhutten) – 9-2, Region 13 Quarterfinalist
The Braves have made the postseason three times in four years. Senior running back Cory Carlisle (5-9, 160) returns after earning first team All-Eastern District honors.

* Maysville (Zanesville) – 8-2
The Panthers must replace eight All-Eastern District players.

* Salem – 10-2, Region 13 Semifinalist
The Quakers made the postseason for the third time in program history last year and for the first time since 2010. Key returners include senior receiver Jake Humeniuk (6-3, 195) and senior defensive back Cooper Bezeredi (6-1, 190).

Also In This Region

Bloom-Carroll (Carroll) 6-4
Northwest (Canal Fulton) 5-5
Beaver (Lisbon) 5-5
Philo (Duncan Falls) 5-5
Cambridge 3-7
New Lexington 3-7
Amanda-Clearcreek (Amanda) 2-8
Canton South 2-8
East Liverpool 3-7
John Glenn (New Concord) 2-8
Ontario (Mansfield) 2-8
Claymont (Uhrichsville) 1-9
Lakewood (Hebron) 1-8
River View (Warsaw) 1-9
Buckeye Local (Rayland) 0-10
Minerva 0-10