2016 Ohio high school football Division VII Region 26 preview

Video: Junior Year 2015 - Malachi Abbott
See the McComb High quarterback in action last season


Players To Watch

* Logan Speyer, Senior DE, Arlington
Miami of Ohio commit had 61 tackles and 14 tackles for loss last year.

* Malachi Abbott, Senior QB, McComb
BVC Offensive Player of the Year accounted for 28 touchdowns last year.

* Quinn Smith, Senior DB/QB, Hilltop
Smith was all-TAAC on both sides of the ball.

* Jake Crouse, Senior LB, McComb
The BVC Defensive POY had 61 tackles and 27 tackles for loss last year.

* Logen Neidhardt, Senior LB/OL, Hicksville
Neidhardt was all-GMC on both sides of the ball. Team To Beat

* McComb - 12-2, Region 24 champion
The Panthers have made the playoffs six years in a row and 14 times in 17 years. Expect both streaks to grow. McComb led the BVC in total offense (450.9 yards per game) and scoring (43.3 points) last season and returns the BVC Offensive POY in senior Malachi Abbott (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), who completed 90 of 161 passes for 1,773 yards and 24 scores as a junior. He also ran for 438 yards and four touchdowns. Also back is senior offensive lineman Matt Cherry (6-4, 290). The defense, which led the BVC in points (6.2) and yards (113) allowed last year, returns a strong nucleus led by senior linebacker Jake Crouse (6-1, 205). Also back are senior defensive back Caden Schroederr (5-11, 200) and junior defensive back Cam Morris (5-11, 170).

Teams To Watch

* Arlington - 5-6, Region 24 quarterfinalist
The Red Devils have made four straight trips to the playoffs and have been in the regional final two of the last three years. Senior defensive lineman Logan Speyer (6-4, 240) had 61 tackles and 14 tackles for loss last season. Also back are all-BVC selections Drew Begg (OL, 5-9, 185) and Nathan Russell (DL, 6-0, 165).

* Hicksville - 8-3, Region 24 quarterfinalist
If history holds, the Aces should miss the playoffs. Hicksville made Week 11 in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 and missed it in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Senior linebacker/offensive lineman Logen Neidhardt (6-2, 200) is one of the region's best and was named all-GMC on both sides of the ball. He was also the GMC Offensive Lineman of the Year. Also back is junior defensive back Payton Tunis (5-8, 145).

* Leipsic - 6-6, Region 24 quarterfinalist
The Vikings are 57-24 the last seven years and have been to the playoffs each season. Graduation hit the program hard. Key returners are senior offensive lineman Jordan Berger (6-2, 240) and sophomore defensive back Cole Rieman (6-0, 150).

* Lucas - 11-2, Region 24 finalist
The Cubs have been to the playoffs two years in a row and have the talent to make it three. Replacing all-Ohio running back Mason Galco is a big task. Expect junior running back and returning all-Mid Buckeye Conference performer Jackson Hauger(5-10, 172) to get plenty of carries. Senior lineman Jacob Arnold (6-1, 243) anchors the lines. New opponents include West Jefferson and Colonel Crawford.

* Calvert (Tiffin) - 6-6, Region 24 semifinalist
The Senecas have been to the playoffs five years in a row (and 14 times overall). Senior receiver Corbin Kantner (6-3, 185) and senior offensive linemen Dominic Bickley (6-5, 323) and Andrew Brodman (5-11, 195) anchor the offense.

Keep An Eye On

* Buckeye Central (New Washington) - 5-5
Four years removed from finishing as a state runner-up, the Bucks are 15-25 since and coming off back-to-back 5-5 seasons.

* Crestview (Convoy) - 4-7
The Knights rode four regular season wins to a playoff berth and nearly ousted top seed McComb in the first round before falling 27-26.

* North Baltimore - 5-5
The Tigers will ride senior running back Taylor Bishop (5-9, 175).

* Pandora-Gilboa - 5-5
The Rockets will lean on junior defensive back Carter Nofziger (5-11, 170) and senior lineman Kyle Verhoff (6-3, 245).

* Hilltop (West Unity) - 6-5
Coming off a 1-9 season, the Cadets started 6-0 last year before ending on a five-game losing streak. Senior quarterback/defensive back Quinn Smith (5-11, 170) returns after being named second team all-TAAC on both sides of the ball.

Also In This Region

Toledo Christian 3-7
Danbury (Lakeside) 3-7
Cory-Rawson 4-6
Lakota (Kansas) 4-6
Plymouth 2-8
Edgerton 4-6
Edon 1-9
Perry (Lima) 2-8
Crestline 2-8
Holgate 1-9
St. John's (Delphos) 1-9
Arcadia 1-9
Ridgedale (Morral) 0-10
St. Joseph Central Catholic (Fremont)  0-10
Vanlue 0-10