2016 Ohio high school football Division III Region 9 preview

Video: Blake Bollon's highlights vs. Massillon Perry
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Players To Watch

* Todd Sibley, Senior RB, Archbishop Hoban
The one-time Ohio State commit is now headed to Pitt. He ran for 2,059 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.

* Blake Bollon, Senior LB, New Philadelphia
The Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year had 153 tackles.

* Danny Clark, Senior QB, Archbishop Hoban
The Ohio State commit threw for 2,297 yards and 23 touchdowns last year.

* Cameron Searight, Senior QB, West Geauga
Searight was first team all-Northeast Inland District.

* Deamonte' King, Senior WR, St. Vincent-St. Mary
King is committed to West Virginia.

* Logan Bitikofer, Senior QB, New Philadelphia
The first team all-Eastern District selection has thrown for 40 touchdowns in two years.

* Chris Pennell, Senior QB, Marlington
Pennell has thrown for 4,042 career yards and 39 touchdowns.

* Victor Williams, Senior ATH, Howland
Williams holds offers from West Virginia, Kentucky, Cincinnati and others.

* Jemarulin Suggs, Senior RB, East (Akron)
The Akron commit has rushed for 2,659 yards and 25 touchdowns in two years.

* Dustin Burkhart, Senior WR, Coventry
The Akron commit caught 44 passes for 881 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Team To Beat

* Archbishop Hoban (Akron) – 14-1, state champions, Region 7 champion
The Knights snapped a five-year absence from the postseason and then some in winning the program's first state title. A second could be coming. Senior running back Todd Sibley (5-foot-10, 214 pounds) ran for 2,059 yards and 24 touchdowns last year. Originally committed to Ohio State, Sibley is now headed to Pitt. Senior quarterback Danny Clark (6-4, 223) is committed to Ohio State. Last year he threw for 2,297 yards and 23 touchdowns. Senior kicker Grant Kersh (5-11, 180) is a good one. The defense will be tough again with the return of junior defensive lineman Daeshon Coppinger (6-3, 245), senior linebacker Marc Westover (5-10, 200) and junior defensive back Nate Bauer (6-0, 180).

Teams To Watch

* St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron) – 11-2, Region 7 finalist
The Irish made their fourth-straight regional final (they won the previous three). Key senior returners are receiver Malik Wooldridge (5-10, 180), defensive lineman Eric Bentley (6-3, 240) and receiver DeAmonte' King (5-11, 170). King is committed to West Virginia.

* Buckeye (Medina) - 10-1, Region 7 quarterfinalist
The Bucks return senior linebacker Dustin McCullough (5-8, 190) and senior offensive lineman Hunter Gray (6-1, 228).

* Canfield – 8-3, Region 7 quarterfinalist
The Cardinals will rally around senior defensive lineman Mason Giordano (6-2, 250 with 51 tackles and 12 tackles for loss) and senior punter Ryan Teminsky (5-11, 160).

* Carrollton - 5-5
The Warriors are looking for their first playoff berth since 2004 and expectations are high. A solid offensive nucleus returns with the strong senior tandem of quarterback Adam Shaw (5-8, 175) and running back Brenton Miller (5-9, 165). The defense will feature senior defensive back Jacob Knipp (5-10, 170). All three were first team all-Eastern District.

* Dover – 5-5
The Tornadoes had a string of 10 straight playoff trips snapped last year. Key senior returners include receiver DeAndre Clark (6-1, 175), lineman Zack Yackey (6-1, 270) and linebacker Drue Nolen (5-8, 180).

* Howland (Warren) – 6-4
The Tigers will feature an elite prospect in senior athlete Victor Williams (6-0, 180), who has offers from West Virginia, Kentucky, Cincinnati and others. Senior running back Tyriq Ellis (5-11, 185 with 812 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns) is a load.

* Lake Catholic (Mentor) – 6-4
Senior running back Josh Corbin (5-10, 200 with 842 yards rushing and six touchdowns) and senior receiver Darrius Alston (5-10, 175 with 729 yards receiving and eight touchdowns) headline the offense. Alston doubles as a standout defensive back.

* Louisville – 10-2, Region 7 semifinalist
The Leopards are coming off three straight playoff appearances and have been to the postseason 16 times in program history. Senior receiver Tyler Adams (6-0, 175) was all-Northeast Inland District.

* Marlington (Alliance) – 6-4
The Dukes will lean on senior quarterback Chris Pennell (6-3, 188), who has thrown for 4,042 career yards and 39 touchdowns.

* McKinley (Niles) - 3-7
The Dragons have a potent senior pass-catch combination returning in quarterback Tyler Srbinovich (5-10, 190) and receiver Marlon Pearson (6-1, 190).

* New Philadelphia – 8-3, Region 7 quarterfinalist
The Quakers made the playoffs for the fifth time in a row and ninth time overall but failed to win the program's first playoff game. Eventual champion Akron Hoban won a first round matchup, 35-21. Senior quarterback Logan Bitikofer (6-4, 200) is a big reason why expectations are high. The first team all-Eastern District selection threw for 1,609 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. He has 40 touchdowns in two years. The defensive anchor is senior linebacker Blake Bollon (6-1, 200), the reigning all-Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year. He has 279 tackles in two years, including 153 last season.

* Poland Seminary – 9-2, Region 7 quarterfinalist
The Bulldogs have made the playoffs nine years in a row and have gone 29-6 the last three years. Senior kicker Colt McFadden (6-0, 190) was first team all-AAC last year.

* West Geauga (Chesterland) – 10-2, Region 7 semifinalist
The Wolverines have been to the playoffs four times in the last seven years (all on odd-number seasons). If history holds, they'll miss this season. Senior quarterback Cameron Searight (5-11, 185) is a big reason that streak is in jeopardy. He was first team all-Northeast Inland District.

Keep An Eye On

* Buchtel (Akron) - 8-2
The Griffins finished ninth in computer points last year with their losses coming to Hoban and D-I playoff team GlenOak. Senior linebacker Brandon Tuck-Hayden (6-1, 215) was first team all-Northeast Inland District.

* Coventry (Akron) – 5-5
The Comets will feature senior receiver and Akron commit Dustin Burkhart (6-2, 182), who caught 44 passes for 881 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He also had 1,300-plus all-purpose yards and had touchdowns via kickoff return and interception.

* East (Akron) – 4-6
The Dragons have one of the state's top running back prospects in senior and Akron commit Jemarulin Suggs (5-11, 180), who ran for 1,552 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He ran for 1,107 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore.

* Harvey (Painesville) – 6-4
The Red Raiders doubled their win tally from 2014.

Also In This Region

Ravenna 6-4
Geneva 4-5
Springfield (Akron) 4-6
Tallmadge 2-8
Revere (Richfield) 3-7
Norton 2-8
Alliance 2-8
Cloverleaf (Lodi) 1-9
Kenmore (Akron) 1-9