2016 Ohio high school football Division VI Region 24 preview

Video: Kaleb Romero Junior year highlights
See the Mechanicsburg quarterback in action last season.


Players To Watch

* Kaleb Romero, Senior QB, Mechanicsburg
Romero has 4,100 yards passing and 3,979 rushing the last three years (91 total touchdowns).

* Cole Unrast, Senior LB, Marion Local
Unrast was first team all-MAC.

* Hunter Binkley, Senior RB, Delphos Jefferson
Binkley had 1,500 yards rushing and 23 scores last year.

* Andrew Bissmeyer, Senior DL, Summit Country Day
He had 17 sacks last year.

* Dylan Hartley, Senior OL/DL, Mechanicsburg
Hartley posted 50 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss last year.

* Caleb Smelcer, Senior RB/DB, Allen East
Smelcer was all-NWC on both sides of ball.
Teams To Beat

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

Teams To Watch

* Allen East (Harrod) - 6-4
The Mustangs went from three wins to six and want to sustain 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.

* Arcanum - 5-5
The Trojans haven't been to the playoffs since 2005, but that could change this season. Senior running back/linebacker Brandon Kinney (5-8, 171) and senior offensive lineman Cambell Gostomsky (6-1, 290) were all-Southwest District.

* Bluffton - 7-3
The Pirates went from 3-7 to 7-3. Key returners include junior receiver Dakota Bricker and senior running back Dustin Falk. Both were All-NWC.

* Cincinnati Country Day - 9-2, Region 22 quarterfinalist
The Indians earned the program's 14th playoff berth last season. CCD is 29-4 the last three years. Senior receiver/defensive end Myles Jackson (6-4, 200 with 16 catches for 483 yards and five touchdowns) is a good one.
 
* Summit Country Day (Cincinnati) - 4-6
The Silver Knights had their string of playoff trips snapped at five straight last season. Senior quarterback Zarin Davis (6-4, 220) threw for 1,326 yards and 11 scores last year. Also back is junior wide receiver/linebacker Xavier Johnson (6-3, 200 with 20 catches for 446 yards and six touchdowns). Senior kicker Allen Waltz (5-11, 150) converted 10 of 14 field goal attempts and was 23 of 23 on point-after tries last year. The defense is led by senior lineman Andrew Bissmeyer (6-2, 190 with 17 sacks).
 
* Miami East (Casstown) - 8-3, Region 22 quarterfinalist)
The Vikings have been to the playoffs four straight times and six overall. Senior running back Arron Adams (5-10, 160 with 75 carries, 697 yards and six touchdowns) will see his share of carries. The defense will feature senior defensive end Logan West (6-5, 240 with 66 tackles and five sacks) and senior linebacker Levi Adducchio (5-11, 170 with 53 tackles)

* 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.

* Spencerville - 9-2, Region 22 quarterfinalist
The Bearcats and head coach John Zerbe started 9-0 last year before dropping two straight to Delphos Jefferson in weeks 10 and 11. Plenty of talent returns, including the senior tandem of running back Calvin Wilson and defensive lineman Dak Prichard. Both were first team all-NWC. Also back are senior defensive back Cody Dickson, senior offensive lineman Damon Jenkins and junior running back Chris Picker.

Keep An Eye On

* Triad (North Lewisburg) - 5-5
Head coach Payton Printz is 86-72 in 16 years.

* St. Henry - 6-4
The Redskins lost to three state finalists and a regional runner-up last year.
 
* Bethel (Tipp City) - 5-5
The Bees enter year No. 3 under head coach and alumnus Scott Clodfelter, who left Beavercreek and the rugged GWOC Central Division after 2013. Clodfelter led the Beavers to their first league title in 30 years in 2012. The program suffered a big blow when senior running back Josh Wills (6-0, 200) transferred to Wayne.

* Tri-County North (Lewisburg) - 7-3
The Panthers had a string of four straight playoff berths snapped but did record another winning season.

* Williamsburg - 8-3, Region 22 quarterfinalist
The Wildcats return senior defensive lineman Dylan Bailey (6-1, 215).

Also In This Region

Lima Central Catholic 5-5)
Fayetteville-Perry 7-2
Twin Valley South (West Alexandria) 6-4
Dayton Christian (Miamisburg) 6-3
Purcell Marian (Cincinnati) 3-7
National Trail (New Paris) 3-7
Dixie (New Lebanon) 1-9
Elmwood (Bloomdale) 3-6
Parkway (Rockford) 2-8
Riverdale (Mt. Blanchard) 2-8