2016 Ohio high school football Division V Region 20 preview

Video: Best DST, sophomore year, Bailey Wallen
See the Brookville High player in action last season


Players To Watch

* Bailey Wallen, Junior RB, Brookville
The all-Ohioan ran for 1,379 yards and 21 touchdowns last year.

* Kesean Gamble, Senior RB, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Gamble ran for 557 yards and 18 scores in seven games last year.

* Ridge Reed, Senior RB, Carlisle
Reed has rushed for 2,925 yards and 37 touchdowns the last two years.

* A.J. Hammonds, Senior TE/DE, North College Hill
Hammonds had 20 sacks last year.

* Ethan Bradds, Senior TE/LB, Greeneview
The Eastern Kentucky commit has 30 career receptions.

* Zach Shields, Junior RB, Milton-Union
Shields had 1,049 yards rushing and nine touchdowns last year.
Team To Beat

* Coldwater - 15-0, Division V state champion, Region 18 champion
The Cavaliers have been in seven straight state finals, have won four straight state titles, own the state's longest current playoff streak (20 seasons) and own the state's longest current postseason win streak (20 games). Gone from last year's team are 24 seniors, including nine that earned all-Northwest District honors. The Cavs must replace 19 of 22 starters but don't expect a huge dropoff despite the task being tall. Coldwater opens with Kenton and then faces Delphos Jefferson, Marion Local and Fort Recovery. Three of those first four are on the road. Key returning seniors for head coach Chip Otten (79-11 in six years at CW) are lineman Troy Sanning (6-1, 210), wide receiver/defensive back Neal Muhlenkamp (6-2, 195) and quarterback/linebacker Dylan Thobe (6-4, 180). Key newcomers are senior defensive end Patrick Klosterman (6-1, 190), senior defensive end Andrew Siefring (6-1, 190), junior running back/linebacker Bradley Giere (5-11, 190) and senior linebacker/tight end Zach Klosterman (6-5, 200). Said Otten: "We have quite a few unknown players that we think can be good but are unproven. We're looking forward to the challenge of competing for a MAC title and continuing the playoff streak."

Teams To Watch

* Bethel-Tate (Bethel) - 6-4, Region 18 quarterfinalist
The Tigers earned the program's first playoff berth last season so spirits are high. B-T will lean on senior running back Steven Cooper (5-9, 200).

* Brookville - 12-1
The Blue Devils own 11 playoff appearances but have only been to the postseason three times in the last 15 years. Last season's run was one of the best in school history. Head coach Mike Hetrick, the son of legendary Versailles coach Al Hetrick, must replace 11 all-SWBL players. The good news? Junior running back Bailey Wallen (5-9, 190) returns after earning all-Ohio honors. Wallen ran for 1,379 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. Also back is senior tight end Cameron Alber (6-4, 195 with 11 catches, 184 yards and a touchdown).

* Carlisle - 6-5, Region 18 quarterfinalist
The Indians ended a four-year playoff drought last season and expectations are high. Senior running back Ridge Reed (6-0, 200) ran for 1,825 yards and 19 touchdowns last season en route to being named the SWBL Buckeye Offensive Player of the Year. He ran for 1,100 yards and 18 scores as a sophomore. The x-factor? Try junior running back/defensive back DJ Chambers (5-9, 180), who has 13 combinerd touchdowns in two years. Chambers, Reed and senior defensive lineman Reece Human (6-3, 250) were first team all-SWBL Buckeye last year. Other key returning seniors are linebacker Caleb Boy (6-2, 195) and defensive back Adam Goodpaster (5-11, 170).

* Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy - 10-2, Region 18 semifinalist
This is the 20th year for the CHCA program, which is looking for its 17th-straight winning season. The Eagles have made all 11 of the program's playoff appearances in the last 14 years and have gone to the postseason six years in a row. This season former New Albany coach Mark Mueller takes over for Eric Taylor. Taylor left after eight seasons at CHCA to return to his alma mater (Deer Park) as football coach and athletic director. Mueller has to replace last year's all-Southwest District and MVC offensive and defensive players of the year (quarterback Johnny Noyen and defensive end Prince Sammons). The cupboard isn't bare. Key returning seniors include running back Kesean Gamble (5-11, 225), running back/linebacker Benjamin Collado (5-11, 190) and offensive lineman Nick Noyen (6-2, 270). Gamble, who has offers from Toledo and Miami of Ohio, ran for 557 yards and 18 touchdowns in seven games last year. Collado ran for 471 yards and six scores. Noyen has Ivy League suitors.

* Greeneview (Jamestown) - 8-4, Region 18 semifinalist
The Rams continued their recent resurrection by following up the program's first playoff berth (and win) with another. Greeneview, which had its first winning season since 1999 in 2013 (went 6-4), reached the regional semifinals for the second-straight year. Expect more history. Veteran head coach Neal Kasner (118-68 career) returns a solid core including the senior quartet of tight end/linebacker Ethan Bradds (6-5, 245 with 30 career receptions, Eastern Kentucky commit), quarterback Collin Matt (6-0, 185 with 1,000 yards passing, 500 yards rushing), lineman Isaiah Harding (6-0, 250 with 45 tackles) and running back/linebacker Austin Roberts (6-0, 195 with 75 tackles). Junior linebacker/running back Jacob Green (6-0, 185) was last year's leading tackler. Additional key senior contributors will be lineman Garrett Wilson (6-1, 255), lineman Logan Lehman (5-10, 280), lineman Tommy Smith (6-0, 220), defensive back David VanHorn (6-0, 140) and kicker Bryce Wilson (6-0, 170 and 4-for-4 on field goals and 28-for-30 on PATs). Junior wide receiver/defensive back Tyler Robinette (5-10, 175) had 20 catches last year. Keep an eye on junior running back/linebacker Griffin Mangan (5-9, 190), junior wide receiver/defensive back Lane Goodbar (5-5, 165), sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Ian Tamplin (5-9, 180) and sophomore lineman Jaron Stoneburner (6-3, 245).

* Milton-Union (West Milton) - 6-5, Region 18 quarterfinalist
The Bulldogs went from 3-7 to the playoffs. Head coach Mark Lane has installed a "brick-by-‘brick" philosophy and maintaining momentum is the goal. It should be attained. Talent returns in senior linemen Keifer Jones (6-0, 200) and Keaton Lucous (6-0, 240), who are back after being named first team all-SWBL Buckeye. Junior running back Zach Shields (5-8, 160 with 1,049 yards rushing, nine touchdowns) was all-league last year, while senior quarterback Blake Smith (5-10, 160) threw for 720 yards and 10 scores. Other key senior contributors are defensive back Krue Thwaits (5-9, 160), linebacker Cory Spitler (5-9, 170) and defensive lineman Jeffery Starwser (5-8, 200).

Keep An Eye On

* Anna - 3-7
The Rockets enter year No. 2 under head coach Nick Marion and will feature senior defensive back Colin Wuebker (6-1, 170).

* Deer Park (Cincinnati) - 2-8
After a successful eight-year run at CHCA, head coach Eric Taylor returns to his alma mater.

* North College Hill (Cincinnati) - 4-6
The Trojans feature one of the region's best defenders in senior linebacker A.J. Hammonds (6-3, 220), who had 20 sacks last year.

* North Union (Richwood) - 5-6, Region 18 quarterfinalist
The Wildcats have been to the playoffs six times in seven years. Replacing five first team all-Central District performers is key.

* Preble Shawnee (Camden) - 3-7
The Arrows return senior running back Nyles Anderson (6-1, 180), who ran for 585 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

* Versailles - 4-6
The tradition known as "Tigerball" has had one winning season since 2011. This year head coach Adam Miller (19-23 in four years) and company will lean on the senior tandem of lineman Eric Knapke (5-11, 215) and linebacker Jonny Moorman (5-8, 175 with 90 tackles) and junior running back/linebacker Kyle Rutschilling (5-11, 180 with 91 tackles). Other key contributors will be senior running back/defensive back Kyle Subler (5-9, 170), junior tight end/defensive end AJ Ahrens (6-3, 205) and junior Keaton McEldowney (6-0, 180).

Also In This Region
Shroder Paideia Academy (Cincinnati) 5-5
Aiken (Cincinnati) 6-4
Northwestern (Springfield) 6-4
Clark Montessori (Cincinnati) 5-5
Madison Plains (London) 4-6
Madeira (Cincinnati) 4-6
Northridge (Dayton) 4-6
Roger Bacon (Cincinnati) 3-7
East Clinton (Lees Creek) 2-8
Blanchester 3-7
Northeastern (Springfield) 0-10
Finneytown (Cincinnati) 0-9
Greenon (Springfield) 0-9