2016 MaxPreps/JJHuddle Ohio high school football Division IV preseason state poll

Video: Junior year - Cody Kirkbride
See the lineman from Bishop Hartley in action


1. Bishop Hartley (Columbus) – 12-3, state champion, Region 12 champion
In year No. 9 under head coach Brad Burchfield (86-19 at Hartley), the Hawks are coming off their fifth regional title in six years. They are serious threats to repeat as state champs. Burchfield (117-44 overall) said “I really believe that this could be our best team. Of course that guarantees nothing, but I love the leadership, ability and brotherhood of this group.” The talent is there. The Hawks return 10 starters on defense and six on offense. They have 27 total letterwinners back. Key returning seniors are quarterback Jake Ruby (6-foot, 180 pounds), linebacker/offensive lineman Cody Kirkbride (6-4, 235), offensive lineman/linebacker Thomas Casimir (6-0, 230), defensive back/receiver Jaden Manley (5-11, 175), defensive back/running back Cam'Ron Culver (5-11, 165), linebacker/running back Marquette Dixon (5-11, 180), linebacker Jack Baughman (6-1, 215), running back Nick Onega (5-11, 200) and defensive end Nicholas Dawes (6-4, 235). Keep an eye on junior offensive lineman Maximus Stienecker (5-11, 220) and sophomore tight end Jordan Kirkbride (6-4, 220). They open the season at Toledo Central Catholic.

2. Archbishop Alter (Kettering) - 10-2, Region 14 semifinalist
The Knights have been to the playoffs 15 years in a row and won back-to-back state titles in 2008-09. They should challenge for their fifth state final appearance. Alter returns 10 All-GCL players led by senior quarterback Ryan Markoff (6-2, 195 with 607 yards passing, 946 yards rushing and 19 total touchdowns) and senior linebacker David Rueth (6-3, 200 with 66 tackles). In addition to Reuth, the defense, which returns its top six tacklers, will feature arguably the division's best linebacking corps with the return of junior standouts Alden Simms (6-1, 215 with 99 tackles), Jordan Coovert (6-2, 180 with 67 tackles) and Lane Harshbarger (5-10, 190 with 106 tackles). Senior defensive back Kyle Roshong (6-1, 190 with 83 tackles) is a good one. The offensive line anchors are seniors Jack Mochty (6-2, 210) and Nick Busher (6-3, 310). The senior wide receiving duo of Matt Zelinski (6-4, 190) and JP Schimpf (6-2, 195) is seasoned.

3. Woodridge (Peninsula) – 11-1, Region 11 semifinalist
The Bulldogs are coming off three straight playoff trips and looking to make an extended postseason run. The offense should be lethal with the return of junior quarterback Mason Lydic (5-11, 180 with 1,615 yards passing and 20 touchdowns), senior running back King Sanders (5-11, 190 with 1,063 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns) and senior offensive lineman Dontae Craft (6-1, 170). All three were first team all-Northeast Inland District. Also back is junior running back/linebacker Robert Singletary (5-8, 190), who ran for eight touchdowns and had 75 tackles last year. Senior receiver Jacob Margroff (5-11, 180) caught 40 passes for 570 yards and seven touchdowns last season. The defense will feature junior linebacker Spencer Robinson (5-9, 195), who was all-district and led the team in tackles (121).

4. Indian Hill (Cincinnati) - 11-1, Region 14 semifinalist
Coming off their first postseason berth since 2007, the Braves have the firepower and tools for a deep postseason run. The offense features senior quarterback Reed Aichholz (6-5, 220 with Eastern Michigan offer), who threw for 2,568 yards and 31 touchdowns and ran for 1,105 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He is the reigning AP Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year. Other key returners include senior linebacker Dan Becker (6-4, 240 with 136 tackles), senior receiver/defensive back Dawson Aichholz (6-1, 190 with 46 receptions, 888 yards receiving, seven receiving touchdowns and four interceptions), senior defensive back Dorian McGruder (5-9, 180 with 56 tackles), junior athlete Colin Shaw (6-2, 180 with 39 receptions for 526 yards and three touchdowns) and senior running back/linebacker Zarian Hunter Cure (6-0, 190 with 420 yards rushing and six touchdowns). Expect senior Ben Wirthlin (5-11, 165 with 33 receptions for 363 yards), junior Mick Oakes (6-2, 205 with 51 tackles) and sophomore linebacker Demetrius Baylor (6-2, 205 with 63 tackles and 8.5 sacks) to contribute heavily.

5. Johnstown-Monroe (Johnstown) - 12-1, Region 14 finalist
The Johnnies have made the postseason four of the last five years and have reached three regional finals over that span. Expect another extended run. Senior offensive lineman Jeff Nogaj (6-5, 325) has committed to Iowa State. He'll help open holes for a three-pronged senior ground game featuring quarterback Cody Workman (5-11, 180), running back Andrew Sayer (5-11, 195) and running back Justin Franklin (6-1, 203). Workman has 2,551 career rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Sayer ran for 1,106 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, while Franklin ran for 772 and 10, respectively. The defense is strong. Senior defensive lineman Hunter Alley (6-4, 210) had 77 tackles and 26 tackles-for-loss last year. Also back are senior linebacker Jesse Farley (5-11, 160 with 71 tackles), senior defensive back Isaia Jacob (5-10, 160 with 60 tackles) and defensive end Brandon Siegfried (6-5, 200 with 52 tackles and 16 sacks).

6. Crestwood (Mantua) – 10-3, Region 11 finalist
The Red Devils made back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in program history last year. It was the school's fourth trip overall. Expect another memorable run. Crestwood returns a potent offense led by senior running back Logan Thut (6-foot-2, 190 pounds), the reigning all-Northeast Inland District Offensive Player of the Year. Thut ran for 1,973 yards and 27 touchdowns last year. Also back is senior quarterback/defensive back Jordan Fabry (6-3, 185). Senior offensive lineman Aaron Cox (6-4, 235) is a good one. The defense will be led by senior defensive lineman Cameron Morgue (6-1, 250) and senior linebacker Michael Picone (6-0, 180 with 81 tackles and four fumble recoveries).

7. Clinton-Massie (Clarksville) - 11-2, Region 14 finalist
The Falcons are 52-4 the last four years and won back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 2013. Head coach Dan McSurely (205-70 in 20 years) and staff will lean on several new - and experienced – faces. Senior running back Brad Hunt (5-8, 200) and junior running back Jacob Wolf (6-2, 210) will carry the bulk of the load. Hunt ran for 469 yards and eight touchdowns last year, while Wolf ran for 305 and eight, respectively. Other key contributors will be senior tight end/linebacker Tyler Uetrecht (6-2, 220 with three receiving touchdowns) and junior receiver/defensive back Luke Richardson (6-0, 160 with three receiving touchdowns). The defense returns five players that logged over 30 tackles a year ago.

8. Bellevue – 10-3, Region 12 finalist
The Redmen have been to the playoffs four times in five years and should make another deep trip. Senior quarterback Alec Foos (6-1, 190) returns, as does junior running back Bryce Ray (6-0, 205). Foos was the Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year, while Ray was first team all-district. Foos ran for 1,794 yards and 28 touchdowns and threw for 1,526 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. As a sophomore he ran for 1,229 yards, had 454 yards receiving and scored 31 total touchdowns.

9. Steubenville – 13-1, state runner-up, Region 13 champion
Big Red earned its 28th postseason berth last year and won a third-straight regional title. Another deep postseason run should be in the cards for veteran head coach Reno Saccoccia (315-54 in 30 years). Senior tight end Charles Reeves Jr. (6-6, 240) holds 13 offers, including Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

10. Ursuline (Youngstown) – 8-6, state semifinalist, Region 11 champion
The Irish finished the regular season 5-5 and advanced to the Final Four. Key returning seniors are defensive back/receiver Dawalyn Washington (6-0, 188), defensive back/receiver Dakota Hobbs (5-8, 155) and lineman Jeff Marx (6-1, 293).

Keep an Eye On * Wyoming (Cincinnati) – 8-3, Region 14 quarterfinalist
The Cowboys return 13 starters including seven on offense. Senior quarterback Andrew Marty (6-4, 225) is a special talent that has committed to Northwestern. He returns after being lost for the season with a knee-injury in Week 3. Marty has accounted for 30 career touchdowns. Senior receiver Jake Edmonds (5-11, 170) returns after catching 56 passes for 718 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also back is senior tight end Jack Gildea (6-4, 215) and sophomore athlete Joey Edmonds (5-10, 160) who threw for 953 yards and 14 touchdowns as Marty's back-up last season. The defense will be led by sophomore linebacker Pierson Rogers (5-11, 200 with 85 tackles), senior defensive back Deandre Griffin (5-9, 165 with 59 tackles and five interceptions) and senior defensive back Elijah Kemper (5-11, 165 with 36 tackles). Junior defensive line Joshua Malone (6-4, 250 with 72 tackles) is one to watch.

* Meadowbrook (Byesville) – 9-2, Region 13 quarterfinalist
The Colts, who recorded their first winning season since 2005 in 2013, earned the program's first playoff berth last season. Time to continue the climb. Senior quarterback Konnor Roberts (6-0, 190) returns after earning first team All-Eastern District honors. Roberts threw for 1,841 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. He also ran for four touchdowns. Other key returners are senior receiver Parker Black (6-2, 190), senior receiver Ben Davis (5-11, 180), senior running back Trevor Stevens (5-11, 180) and junior offensive lineman Jud Ramage (5-11, 190). Black caught 37 passes for 735 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Davis had 46 receptions for 728 yards and four touchdowns. Stevens ran for 380 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Meadowbrook returns four defenders that logged over 30 tackles, led by defensive lineman Ramage (57 tackles).

* Shelby – 5-5
The Whippets haven't been to the playoffs since 2010 but that should change this season. Junior quarterback Brennan Armstrong (6-2, 195) currently holds six offers, including North Carolina, Virginia and Iowa State. Other key contributors are junior running back Devon Brooks (5-9, 155), senior defensive lineman Devin Williams (6-2, 290) and senior defensive lineman Derek Rose (6-1, 200).

* Jonathan Alder (Plain City) – 9-2, Region 12 quarterfinalist
The Pioneers feature one of the state’s top recruits in senior tight end Trey Pugh (6-5, 225), who has committed to Northwestern. Also back are senior defensive back Andrew Koening (6-3, 190), junior quarterback Preston Eisnaugle (5-11, 170) and junior defensive back Bryan Blacka (5-11, 175).

* Kenton Ridge (Springfield) – 8-4, Region 12 semifinalist
The Cougars return a solid offensive nucleus led by senior running back/linebacker Kobe Holtz (5-11, 205), who was first team all-CBC Kenton Division last year after rushing for 379 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had 95 tackles. Also back is senior quarterback Noah Schleinitz (6-0, 175) and senior receiver Jordan Bailey (5-11, 155). Schleinitz threw for 813 yards and nine touchdowns and ran for 474 yards and five touchdowns last year, while Bailey caught 16 passes for 431 yards and seven touchdowns.

* Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (Chardon) – 7-4, Region 11 quarterfinalist
The Lions have a solid nucleus back in junior linebacker Chase Kline (6-4, 215), senior athlete Savion Grove (5-11, 185), junior defensive lineman Manni Malone (5-10, 215) and junior kicker Gabe Brkic (6-2, 170).

* Indian Lake (Lewistown) – 8-3, Region 12 quarterfinalist
The Lakers earned the program’s first playoff berth last year and expectations are high. Senior quarterback and reigning CBC Mad River Division Offensive Player of the Year Alex Jacobs (6-1, 200) returns after throwing for 1,430 yards and 19 touchdowns and running for 742 yards and five touchdowns. A pair of standout receivers return in senior Tyler Replogle (6-2, 180) and junior Collin Coburn (6-2, 200). Coburn had 27 receptions for 417 yards and nine touchdowns, while Replogle had 24 for 308 and five, respectively. Senior linebacker Branden Henderson (5-10, 180 with 69 tackles) spearheads the defense.