2016 Ohio high school football Division III Region 12 preview

Video: Raveion Hargrove sophomore year
See highlights of the Trotwood-Madison star in action


Players To Watch

* Raveion Hargrove, Junior RB, Trotwood-Madison
Hargrove ran for a Dayton-area record 3,039 yards and 39 touchdowns.

* Landon Hall, Senior LB, Wapakoneta
Hall was all-WBL and all-Northwest District with 76 tackles and nine tackles for loss last year.

* Darien Tipps-Clemons, Senior RB/LB, Piqua
Tipps-Clemons was the GWOC North Division Offensive Player of the Year.

* Dylan Beaugard, Junior ATH, Wilmington
Beaugard had 10 total touchdowns and 42 tackles last year.

* Logan Eldridge, Senior LB, Greenville
Eldridge was an all-GWOC North Division selection after he made 91 tackles last year.

* Ryan Montgomery, Junior QB, Franklin
Montgomery ran for 887 yards and seven touchdowns and threw for 682 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

* Eric Spicer, Senior RB, St. Marys
Spicer ran for 1,213 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

* Brandon Shelton, Senior QB, Northwest
Shelton threw for 1,549 yards and 19 touchdowns last year without an interception.

* Wyatt Fischer, Junior WR, Western Brown
Fischer caught 66 passes for 1,124 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.

* Cam Haynes, Senior QB, McNicholas
Haynes threw for 2,059 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. Team To Beat

* Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood) – 10-4, state semifinalist, Region 10 champion
The Rams won their sixth-straight regional title before falling to Toledo Central Catholic for the second year in a row in the Final Four. Trotwood is loaded again. Third-year head coach Jeff Graham welcomes back a stable of talent led by junior running back Raveion Hargrove (5-7, 175), who ran for a Dayton-area single season record 3,039 yards and 39 touchdowns last year. Junior quarterback Mikale Stephens-Peppers (5-10, 160) returns after throwing for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Rams' top receiver - junior Caleb Johnson (6-1, 160) – is back after catching 52 passes for 599 yards and six touchdowns. The defense will be formidable again with the return of a strong senior contingent led by defensive back Darius Wrotham (6-1, 180 with 54 tackles), linebacker Devon Smith (6-1, 205 with 34 tackles), defensive back Kobe Vinegar (5-10, 180 with 105 tackles) and defensive end Tayvion Ware (5-9, 225 with 42 tackles).

Teams To Watch

* Bellbrook - 5-5
The Golden Eagles are looking to build off the momentum of a 4-1 finish and a new head coach. Jeff Jenkins, a former player and the program's defensive coordinator the last two years, took over for longtime coach Kevin Basinger in the offseason. Bellbrook snapped a nine-year playoff and SWBL title drought in 2014. Key returners include senior tight end Nathan Cordonnier (6-3, 180 with 20 receptions for 215 yards and four touchdowns), senior defensive lineman Kyle Bennett and senior defensive lineman Kyle Crouch (5-9, 170). Another big addition will be the return of senior offensive lineman Tim Tidwell (5-10, 185), who was first team all-league as a sophomore before being injured last year. Senior linebacker Justin Havens (5-10, 165) could become something special. Look for senior running back Chandler Wren (5-11, 165) to get the bulk of the work offensively.

* Bellefontaine - 4-6
The Chieftains return a stable of wealth in the backfield. Junior quarterback Dezmin Lyburtus (5-11, 165) threw for 758 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 601 yards and six touchdowns last year. Also back is senior running back Hayden Nease (6-2, 210, ran for 656 yards and had 12 total touchdowns) and junior running back Caleb Stevens (5-11, 180, ran for 551 yards and eight touchdowns).

* Franklin - 5-5
The Wildcats have two elite defenders in senior defensive back Trenten Scott (5-8, 155) and junior linebacker Payton Standifer (5-11, 185). Both were first team all-SWBL Southwestern Division and all-Southwest District. Junior quarterback Ryan Montgomery (5-11, 185) returns to run the offense after rushing for 887 yards and seven touchdowns and throwing for 682 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He played quarterback the final six games. Franklin also returns its top receiver in senior Noah Kremer (6-4, 185), who had 18 receptions for 398 yards and five touchdowns.

* Mt. Healthy (Cincinnati) - 8-4, Region 10 semifinalist
The Owls have been to the playoffs six times in seven years. The defense will be led by senior linebacker Trayvon Wilburn (6-1, 205) and senior defensive back Elijah Williams (5-11, 195). Senior running back Lee Young (5-11, 180 with 572 yards rushing and six touchdowns) and senior offensive lineman Justin Clark (6-4, 280) lead that unit.

* New Richmond - 7-4, Region 10 quarterfinalist
The Lions are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2009. Key returning seniors include running back Chandler Kinhalt (5-11, 175) and linebacker Jacob Cyrus (5-9, 180).

* Northwest (Cincinnati) - 6-4
The Knights will rally around a talented trio of seniors in running back Devonte Faulkner (5-10, 210), quarterback Brandon Shelton (5-11, 190) and receiver Gregory Jackson (5-11, 175). Faulkner ran for 1,021 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, while Shelton threw for 1,549 yards, 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also ran for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson caught 24 passes for 526 yards and six touchdowns.

* Piqua - 6-5, Region 10 quarterfinalist
The Indians will lean on a strong senior class and nine players that earned all-GWOC North Division honors last season. Michigan State commit and senior running back/linebacker Darien Tipps-Clemons (6-1, 220) was named the GWOC North Division Offensive Player of the Year last season after rushing for 1,664 yards and 24 touchdowns. Also back on offense are junior lineman Ben Bynum (6-0, 235), senior tight end Nathan Monnin (6-5, 255) and senior lineman Anthony Grunkemeyer (6-1, 265). The defense should challenge as one of Ohio's best with the return of senior defensive back Dylan Cole (6-0, 200 with 60 tackles and three interceptions), senior lineman Tristen Cox (6-4, 330 with 42 tackles), junior lineman Derek Hite (6-2, 255 with 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks), senior linebacker Ty Carnes (6-2, 220 with 47 tackles) and junior linebacker Ben Schmeising (6-1, 205 with 60 tackles).

* Tippecanoe (Tipp City) - 10-2, Region 10 semifinalist
The Red Devils own 12 playoff berths in program history – including the stretch of 11 straight they're riding now. They must replace 12 all-CBC Kenton Division players. Key returning seniors include fullback/linebacker Austin Subler (6-2, 200 with 107 tackles), receiver/defensive back Cade Rogers (5-9, 165 with 135 tackles) and defensive back Aaron Hughes (6-1, 170 with 103 tackles). Second-year coach Joel Derge earned the AP All-Southwest District Coach of the Year honor in his first season.

* Wapakoneta - 12-1, Region 10 finalist
The Redskins are coming off the best six-year run (57-12 with four playoff appearances) in program history and hope to continue it in year No. 3 under head coach Travis Moyer, who returned to coaching after a two-year absence. He previously spent 13 years at Bucyrus Wynford, where he led the Royals to 118 wins, nine North Central Conference titles, eight playoff berths and a 58-game regular season win streak. Senior lineman John Bourne (6-2, 250) and senior tight end Kais Chiles (6-4, 230) anchor the offense. The defense will be led by senior linebacker Landon Hall (6-2, 210), who earned all-WBL and all-Northwest District honors last season with 76 tackles and nine tackles for loss.

Keep An Eye On

* Archbishop McNicholas (Cincinnati) 5-5
The Rockets return a potent senior pass-catch combo in quarterback Cam Haynes (6-5, 215) and receiver Robert Carmosino (5-11, 190). Haynes threw for 2,059 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, while Carmosino caught 25 passes for 461 yards and six touchdowns. Junior receiver Cole Burdick (6-0, 161) led the team with 45 receptions for 496 yards and two touchdowns.

* Belmont (Dayton) - 7-3, Region 10 quarterfinalist
Former Thurgood Marshall head coach Earl White worked his magic again at Belmont, where the Bison earned the first playoff berth in history.

* Carroll (Dayton) - 5-5
The Patriots enter year No. 3 under head coach Ben Rulli with a young squad that will feature several sophomores in key spots. The senior quartet of linebacker Jacob Rieman (6-1, 225), linebacker Lamont Harris (6-2, 220), offensive lineman David Saurine (6-4, 235) and kicker/punter Alex Story (6-0, 180) will lend experience.

* Celina - 7-4, Region 10 quarterfinalist
The Bulldogs are coming off their first playoff berth since 1998. Senior running back Ryan Harter (5-10 180) was all-WBL and all-Northwest District last year.

* Eaton - 2-8
The Fighting Eagles return senior quarterback Lew Bowser (5-9, 180), who threw for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns and ran for 635 yards and five touchdowns last year.

* Goshen - 7-3
The Warriors went from 1-9 in 2014 to 7-3.

* Greenville - 4-6
The Green Wave should have a tremendous defensive unit with the return of senior linebacker Logan Eldridge (5-11, 200 with 91 tackles), senior defensive back Kyle Phillips (5-11, 180 with 53 tackles), senior defensive back Justin Brown (6-0, 190 with 81 tackles), junior defensive lineman Karsyn Fender (5-7, 230 with 46 tackles) and senior defensive back Trae Wood (5-8, 150 with 32 tackles). All five were all-GWOC North Division last year.

* Memorial (St. Marys) - 6-4
The Roughriders return senior running back Eric Spicer (5-11, 165), who was all-WBL and all-Northwest District last year after rushing for 1,213 yards and 10 touchdowns.

* Ponitz Career Tech (Dayton) - 4-6
The Panthers will see what they can do in year No. 2 under veteran and former state champion head coach Jim Place. This is Place's eighth head coaching job. That includes stints at Chaminade Julienne (state champ), Middletown, Hamilton, Withrow and Beavercreek.

* Western Brown (Mt. Orab) - 7-3
The Broncos will feature one of the region's top receivers in junior Wyatt Fischer (6-1, 170), who caught 66 passes for 1,124 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Expect junior running back Zach Stacy (6-2, 240) to contribute heavily. Last year he ran for 283 yards and three touchdowns and caught 33 passes for 442 yards and five touchdowns.

* Wilmington - 7-3
The Hurricane and third year head coach Scot Killen return junior defensive back Dylan Beaugard (5-9, 165) and junior offensive lineman Connor Barton (6-2, 280). Beaugard had 10 total touchdowns and 42 tackles last year.

Also In This Region

Woodward (Cincinnati) 6-3
Norwood 4-5
Ross (Hamilton) 5-5
Thurgood Marshall (Dayton) 5-5
Hughes (Cincinnati) 3-7
Talawanda (Oxford) 0-10