Ohio HS Football '18: medium school running backs

Milan Edison's Castera Mastropaolo named National Athlete of the Month
Ohio junior earns MaxPreps Semper Fidelis AOM award presented by the Marines.

Who are Ohio's top returning high school football players entering the 2018 season? The Buckeye State has a deep talent pool. These are some of the sharks. Kickoff is coming.

Ohio HS Football '18: Medium School Running Backs (Div. III-IV)

Key names to know Fridays this fall.

Player, School, Ht, Wt, Graduating Class

* John Bivens, Archbishop Alter (Kettering), 6-0, 204 (2019)
Ohio’s top senior running back prospect and the state’s 11th top recruit overall according to the 247sports composite rankings. Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 9 last season, Bivens currently holds eight scholarship offers. The list (USC, Nebraska, Louisville, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Purdue, Indiana, Iowa State, West Virginia and Toledo) is impressive. Third team OPSWA D-III All-Ohio and All-Greater Catholic League Co-Ed North Division offensive player of the year Last season (1,308 yards and 16 touchdowns on 132 carries).

* Savon Edwards Sr., Eastmoor Academy (Columbus), 5-9, 155 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection had 1,171 yards rushing, 421 yards receiving and 472 yards on returns. Scored 26 total touchdowns and seven two-point conversions.

* KJ Price, London, 5-10, 175 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection and All-Central District Offensive Player of the Year ran for 2,364 yards on 243 carries. Had 2,724 total yards and 25 touchdowns.

2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Postseason Brackets

* Caden Hostetler, Indian Valley (Gnadenhutten), 5-9, 145 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection and All-Eastern District Co-Offensive Player of the Year ran for 2,017 yards and 31 touchdowns on 209 carries (9.7 yards). Had 33 total touchdowns and scored six two-point conversions.

* Tre Tucker, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (Cuyahoga Falls), 5-10, 160 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio last season at running back, but also saw snaps at receiver, quarterback, kick returner and safety. Versatile player had 672 yards and 17 touchdowns on 70 carries, 637 yards receiving and five touchdowns on 30 receptions and completed all three of his pass attempts for 29 yards and two touchdowns. Also returned five punts for 133 yards and a touchdown and 12 kickoffs for 397 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively registered three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. Currently holds nine offers including Rutgers, Cincinnati, Ball State, Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Liberty, Toledo and Youngstown State.

* Brandon Haley, Granville, 5-8, 165 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection owns two 1,000-yard seasons and has 3,715 career rushing yards. Scored 26 touchdowns last season.

2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Statistics

* Jack Porter, Kenston (Chagrin Falls), 5-10, 180 (2020)
First team OPSWA D-III All-Ohio selection last season after rushing for 1,447 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns.

* Pierson Rogers, Wyoming (Cincinnati), 5-11, 210 (2019)
First team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio selection and All-Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year last season after rushing for 1,306 yards and 22 touchdowns. Also caught six touchdown passes and notched 56 tackles as a linebacker.

* Brady Kolb, St. Clairsville, 6-0, 220 (2019)
Second team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio last season at running back and second team D-IV All-Ohio as a sophomore at linebacker. Two-standout ran for 1,412 yards and 19 touchdowns and had 71 tackles, eight TFL and four fumble recoveries last year.

2017 Ohio HS Football Pictures

* Jaylen Anderson, Perry, 6-0, 198 (2021)
Second team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio last season. Had 807 yards rushing, 337 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns.

* Sean Perry, Memorial (St. Marys), 5-10, 170 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio last season after rushing for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns. First team Western Buckeye League at both running back and defensive back and returned a kickoff and punt for touchdowns.

* Mike Williams, Conneaut, 5-9, 160 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio last season after averaging 10.15 yards per carry (1,482 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns) and racking up 1,962 all-purpose yards.

* Drew Engle, Clearview (Lorain), 5-10, 185 (2019)
Third team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio last season after running for 1,430 yards and 16 touchdowns on 171 carries (8.4 yard average).

* Terrance Keyes Jr., St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron), 5-10, 190 (2020)
Honorable mention OPSWA D-III All-Ohio last season. Ran for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns.

* Josh Keets, Hillsboro, 6-1, 230 (2019)
Honorable mention OPSWA D-III All-Ohio and first team All-Southeast District last year.