2016 Ohio high school football Division VI Region 21 preview

Video: Junior year - Owen Loncar
See highlights of the Kirtland star from last year


Players To Watch

* Owen Loncar, Senior RB/LB, Kirtland
Loncar was all-Ohio last year.

* Mike Jacobucci, Senior LB, Columbia
Jacobucci had 72 tackles last year en route to all-Ohio honors.

* Mitch Davidson, Senior QB, Columbiana
Davidson was first team all-Ohio and had 46 total touchdowns last year.

* Jason Thompson, Senior RB, David Anderson
Thompson was all-Ohio last year.

* Brett Lowther, Senior QB, Cuyahoga Heights
Lowther was all-Ohio last year.

* Mykol Brooks, Senior QB, Richmond Heights
Brooks is a two-time all-Ohio selection.

* Andrew Kenaga, Junior RB, Trinity
Kenaga was all-Ohio last year.
Team to Beat

* 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.

Teams To Watch

* Western Reserve (Berlin Center) - 8-3, Region 19 quarterfinalist
The Blue Devils have been to the playoffs eight straight times. Senior defensive lineman Cody Hilles (6-3, 255) and senior quarterback/linebacker Wyatt Larimer (6-0, 180) return after earning first team all-ITCL honors. Other key returners are junior running back/linebacker Jack Cappabianca (6-1, 215) and senior wide receiver/defensive back Jeep DiCioccio (6-0, 185).

* Brookfield 10-2, Region 19 semifinalist
The Warriors have been to the playoffs four times in the last five years. Senior lineman Carmen Furillo (6-0, 240) is a good one. Head coach Randy Clark is 71-46 in 11 years.

* 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.

* 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).

* 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 Bret Lowther (6-1, 170), senior linebacker Chad McDaniel (5-10, 185) and junior defensive back Dylan Drummond (6-0, 165).

* David Anderson (Lisbon) - 9-2, Region 19 quarterfinalist
The Blue Devils went from 3-7 in 2014 to the playoffs last season. Senior running back Jason Thompson (5-11, 175) was all-Ohio last season.

* 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).
 
* Smithville - 8-4, Region 19 semifinalist
The Smithies went from 1-9 in 2013 to the playoffs last year. Senior quarterback Justin Fath (5-11, 180) returns as does senior offensive lineman Brett Bauman (6-1, 290) and junior defensive back Trent Shane (6-1, 175).

Keep An Eye On

* Trinity (Garfield Heights) - 4-6
Junior running back Andrew Kenaga (6-1, 190), who was All-Ohio last year, will contribute heavily.

* Aquinas (Louisville) - 6-4
The Knights return senior standout running back Nathan Rich (6-1, 200), who has career rushing totals of 1,576 yards and 20 touchdowns.

* Oberlin - 2-8
The Phoenix return two standout junior defensive backs in Journey Toole (5-11, 180) and Mark Robinson jr. (5-9, 170).

* Richmond Heights - 4-6
The Spartans return senior quarterback Mykol Brooks (5-10, 180), a two-time All-Ohio selection.

Also In This Region

Hillsdale (Jeromesville) 6-4
Springfield (New Middletown) 4-6
Loudonville 5-5
Rittman  5-5
Crestview (Ashland) 3-7)
Independence 3-7
United (Hanoverton) 2-8
Memorial (Campbell) 3-7
Dalton 1-9
Mineral Ridge 3-7
Southern (Salineville) 2-8
Newton Falls 0-10