Video: Jarell White junior year
See the La Salle star in action last season2016 MaxPreps/JJHuddle Ohio Division II State Poll
1. La Salle (Cincinnati) – 13-2, state champion, Region 6 championAfter
going 3-7 in 2013, the Lancers are 27-3 and have won back-to-back state
titles. Impressive. The defense will be exceptionally stout with the
return of two elite seniors in linebacker
Jarell White (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) and
defensive back
Tre-Sean Smith (6-3, 180). White, who had 75 tackles last
year, holds multiple offers including Iowa, Illinois, Boston College
and Cincinnati. Smith, who had 53 tackles and seven interceptions last
year, is committed to Louisville. The offensive line took a hit when
senior prospect
Thayer Munford (6-5, 325) transferred to Massillon
Washington (where former La Salle coach Nate Moore is). Replacing the
GCL's all-time leading rusher – Northwestern University freshman Jeremy
Larkin – is a huge hurdle.
2. Midview (Grafton) – 11-1, Region 4 semifinalistThe
Middies return one of Ohio's top quarterbacks in senior and Kent State
commit
Dustin Crum (6-3, 210). Crum has thrown for 5,970 career yards
and 71 touchdowns; he's also rushed for 24 touchdowns and was the team's
leading rusher last year (with 697 yards). Senior running back
Alec Forrer
(5-9, 175) returns after rushing for 644 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Replacing the top three receivers from a year ago is a must. Junior
linebacker
Jacob Snider (6-1, 205) led the team in tackles last year with 143. Forrer, a linebacker, had 84 tackles and 14 tackles for loss.
3. Kings (Kings Mill) – 11-2, Region 6 finalistThe
Knights have been to the postseason 11 times in 14 years and are
looking for a return trip and more. Senior quarterback
Tyler Knecht
(6-3, 210) returns after throwing for 2,441 yards and 18 touchdowns last
year. He also ran for 800 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior
Justin Wise
(6-1, 180 with 45 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns) is the
team's top returning receiver. Senior offensive lineman
Matt Sichterman
(6-5, 260) has committed to Nebraska. Senior defensive lineman
Dan Sichterman (6-4, 240 with 48 tackles and 10.5 sacks last year) holds
several offers, including Air Force, UConn and Ball State.
4. Copley – 9-2, Region 3 quarterfinalistThe
Indians reached the postseason for the first time since 2010 last year
and expectations remain. Senior defensive back
Weston Bridges (6-1, 195)
holds 17 offers and has committed to Michigan State. A standout running
back, Bridges ran for 1,620 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. Senior
quarterback
Austin Brenner
(6-1, 175) earned all-Northeast Inland District honors last year after
throwing for 1,960 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also ran for 581 yards
and five touchdowns. The defense returns seven players that registered
at least 43 tackles, including senior defensive back
Jaylon Doss (5-11, 170), who had a team-high 97 tackles. Also back is junior linebacker
Blake Traylor (5-9, 190), who ranked third with 82 tackles.
5. Washington (Massillon) – 4-6Line
play should be outstanding for the Tigers, who enter year No. 2 under
state champion head coach Nate Moore. The offensive line will be led by two Division I prospects in seniors
Vincent McConnell (6-5, 255) and
Chris Anthony
(6-4, 285). McConnell
holds offers from Syracuse and Toledo, while Anthony holds an offer from
Cincinnati and several MAC schools. La Salle transfer
Thayer Munford (6-6, 339), one of the state's top
prospects who holds 13 offers including Alabama, Pitt, Tennessee, Louisville
and Maryland, was
ruled ineligible by the OHSAA on August 13. Massillon is expected to take action against the ruling. The defensive line will feature senior
Malcolm Robinson
(6-3, 290), who holds offers from Purdue, Virginia, Boston College and
others. Sophomore linebacker
Jamir Thomas (6-2, 215) was named a
MaxPreps freshman all-American last year after leading the team in
tackles (54). He holds six offers including Michigan, Michigan State and
West Virginia. The schedule eases up a bit this year.
6. Miamisburg – 9-2, Region 6 quarterfinalistThe
Vikings continue to excel under veteran head coach Steve Channel. "The
Burg" has gone 31-12 the last four years and is coming off three
straight playoff appearances. The Vikings won just four games from
2008-2011. The offensive line will be a huge strength with the return of
seniors
Josh Myers (6-5, 275) and
Cody Lamb
(6-4, 260). Myers has committed to Ohio State and is the country's top
prospect at his position. Lamb is committed to Cincinnati. They'll open
holes for junior running back
Tony Clark, who ran for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. Also back is senior running back
Jake Ross, who ran for 524 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Junior
Tyler Johnson led the team in receiving with 26 catches for 502 yards and eight touchdowns. The defense is led by senior linebacker
Jake Brown, who led the team in tackles with 78.
7. Licking Heights (Pataskala) – 10-2, Region 5 semifinalistThe
Hornets have been to the postseason three times in four years and are
heavy favorites to repeat as LCL champs. Senior lineman
Jordan Coulter (6-2, 260) will impact both sides of the ball. The defense features a pair of standout seniors in linebacker
La Kelly (6-1, 190) and defensive end
Chance Canady (6-3, 246).
8. Perrysburg – 13-1, state semifinalist, Region 4 championThe
Yellow Jackets have won at least one playoff game three years in a row.
Senior defensive back
Noah Lenz (5-7, 165) was all-Ohio.
9. Springfield (Holland) - 9-2, Region 4 quarterfinalistThe
Blue Devils, who averaged 47.7 points per game last year, return senior
running back
Bryant Koback (6-0, 195), the reigning Northwest District
Offensive Player of the Year and Kentucky commit. Last year he ran for
2,019 yards and scored 36 total touchdowns. Opening holes for Koback
will be senior linemen and three-year starters
Joe Young (6-3, 245) and
Pernell Fountain (6-4, 235). The defense will be led by senior lineman
Bryan Rogers (5-11, 240), senior defensive back
Lamar Witcher (5-11, 190 with four interceptions), junior lineman
Cade Chappetta (6-3, 245), senior end
Evan Lonsway (5-10, 185) and junior linebacker
Brett Keeler (5-10, 195). Sophomore
AJ Gucciardo steps in at quarterback.
10. Edgewood (Trenton) – 7-3The Cougars return some firepower on offense, including their top six rushers. Senior quarterback
Drew Reckart
(5-11, 175) returns after throwing for 1,372 yards and 12 touchdowns
last year. He also ran for six touchdowns. The running back stable is
headlined by senior
Devon Garrett (5-10, 165 with 654 yards and nine touchdowns), senior
Dakota Schramm (5-11, 195 with 566 yards and eight touchdowns), junior
Jake Paulsen (6-2, 185 with 310 yards and two touchdowns) and senior
Thomas Lindsay (5-10, 155 with 519 yards and two touchdowns). Senior
Eddie Driskell (6-5, 190) was the team's receiving leader with 25 catches for 540 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
Keep an Eye On
* St. John's Jesuit (Toledo) - 6-4After
back-to-back 2-8 seasons, the Titans won six games last year.
Expectations linger. The defense will be strong with the return of
senior defensive back
Tycen Anderson (6-2, 180), senior linebacker
Peter Mcintyre (6-2, 210) and junior linebacker
Dallas Gant
(6-3, 195). Anderson is committed to Toledo, while McIntyre is headed
to Northwestern. Gant is one of the state's top junior prospects and has
offers from Kentucky, Rutgers and Toledo. Senior offensive lineman
Mitch Berg (6-5, 263) holds offers from Bowling Green, Toledo and Kent State.
* Chardon – 8-3, Region 3 quarterfinalistThe
Hilltoppers have been to the playoffs three times in four years and
expectations remain high. Key returning seniors include offensive
lineman
Justin Stanko (6-3, 275), linebacker
Joe Cyvas (6-0, 190 with 221 tackles in two years) and punter
Ethan Ziegenfuss (5-10, 175). Cyvas doubles as a running back, as he ran for 560 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
* Glenville (Cleveland) – 11-2, Region 4 finalistThe Tarblooders will feature senior running back
Demerius Goodwin (5-7, 175), who ran for 930 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. The defense is led by a pair of stout senior linebackers in
Jaylen Carver (5-11, 190 with 46 tackles) and
Treshon Walker-Smith (6-0, 231 with 41 tackles).
* Nordonia (Macedonia) – 8-4, Region 3 semifinalistThe
Knights were state runners-up in 2014 and have been to the postseason
four years running. The ground game will again be strong with senior
running back
Anthony Perrine (5-10, 207) and junior running back
Tye Evans (6-0, 220). Senior defensive back
Daniel Banks (5-10, 160) headlines the defense.
* Olmsted Falls – 6-5, Region 4 quarterfinalistKey returning seniors for the Bulldogs are running back
Spencer Linville (5-11, 220), offensive lineman
Sam Vas (6-1, 280) and kicker
Ricky Castrigano (5-9, 155).
* Tri-Valley (Dresden) – 10-2, Region 5 semifinalistThe
Scotties, who have been to the postseason seven times in a row, will
feature a standout pair of seniors on offense in running back
Cody Collins (5-6, 195) and receiver
Colin Slaboden (5-11, 175). Junior kicker
Chase Dinan (5-9, 150) is a good one.
* Winton Woods (Cincinnati) – 5-4The Warriors will feature two of Ohio's top defenders in senior lineman
Jerron Cage (6-3 260) and junior linebacker
Chris Oats (6-4, 210). Cage is committed to Ohio State. Oates is a top underclass prospect.