2017 Ohio football Division III preseason state poll and preview

Video: Raveion Hargrove's highlights
Watch the senior running back and Bowling Green commit in action against defending state champion Akron Hoban.

Offense will be a featured item on the menu in Divison III, especially in Dayton where three of the state's best running back prospects reside. With competitive balance making its debut and new regional alignments in place, D-III has become one of the state's toughest classifications. Trotwood-Madison carries the public banner as it tops our first poll for the 2017 season, but there's a heavy parochial/private flavor after that...

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Here's a look at what to expect in D-III...

EF'S JJH/MP OHIO HS PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood) - 12-3, D-III state runner-up, Region 12 champion
The Rams are looking for an eighth straight regional title and sixth state final since 2010. Senior Ra'veion Hargrove is one of the state’s top running back prospects and has committed to Bowling Green. Hargrove, who has double-digit offers (including eight Mid-American schools), has rushed for 4,601 yards and 60 touchdowns the last two years. The Rams also return a pair of senior first team All-GWOC players in quarterback Markell Stephens-Peppers (1,863 yards passing, 22 touchdowns) and receiver Caleb Johnson (882 yards receiving, 13 touchdowns). Stephens-Peppers is the reigning GWOC South Division offensive player of the year. Sophomore running back William McDaniel and senior receiver Dallas Daniels are two additional options. The defense will be anchored by junior defensive back Kennedy Coates (89 tackles), senior defensive back Jalen Watson and senior linebacker James Parker (115 tackles).

2. Central Catholic (Toledo) - 13-1, D-III state semifinalist, Region 10 champion
An oddity in the OHSAA’s new Competitive Balance realignment kept the Irish in D-III for one more year. Defense should be a calling card. Senior linebacker Dallas Fields has committed to Miami (Ohio), while classmate Sean Blue Jr. (defensive back) holds an offer from Eastern Michigan. Senior defensive linemen De’Marko Craig and Domonique Kimble and junior linebacker Justin Schiets are ones to watch. Senior running back Devon Rivers and junior receiver Jase Bowen headline the offense.

3. St. Francis de Sales (Columbus) - 13-1, D-III state semifinalist, Region 11 champion
The Stallions, who are looking for the program's 26th playoff berth, will field one of state's top defenses led by senior linebackers Tyler Van Fossen (Cincinnati commit) and Brian Asamoah. Asamoah holds 30 offers including Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, UCLA and Notre Dame. The defensive line is anchored by senior end Branden Derrow (10 offers including Rutgers, Western Michigan, Marshall, Toledo and Youngstown State). Seven starters return on both sides of the ball.

4. Bishop Hartley (Columbus) - 13-2, D-IV state champions, Region 14 champion
The Hawks bump up a division after winning the last two D-IV state titles (both over Steubenville). Six starters return on both sides of the ball, including senior defensive lineman Ethan Amaya. Junior kicker Matteo Agriesti is a good one. Hartley hosts Toledo Central Catholic in a titanic season opener. Columbus DeSales visits Week 8. 

5. Archbishop Alter (Kettering) (13-1, Region 16 finalist)
The Knights bump up a division due to Competitive Balance but will continue to be a threat for regional and state titles. The defense will be feature senior defensive back Jordan Coovert (28 tackles) and linebackers Alden Simms (112 tackles) and Lane Harshbarger (69 tackles). Senior running back Trevor Smith returns. Junior quarterback Connor Bazelak (Kentucky and Toledo offers) assumes control of the offense full-time.

6. Glenville (Cleveland) - 7-4, Region 6 quarterfinalist
Traditional power drops down from D-II. Tarblooders have made postseason 15 of last 18 years.

7. University School (Hunting Valley) - 8-4, Region 10 semifinalist
The Preppers return plenty of talent from last year’s playoff team including senior quarterback Jayden Cunningham (2,314 yards passing, 21 touchdowns), running back Joe Kadlic (1,081 yards rushing) and defensive lineman Camryn Hubbard.

8. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (Chardon) - 9-4, Region 13 finalist
The Lions bump up a division but expectations are extremely high. Expect opposing offenses to struggle against a unit that returns four All-Northeast Lakes District seniors in lineman Chase Brown, linebackers Manni Malone and Aidan Macdonald and defensive back Josh Peroni. Senior athlete Charles Forbes is a threat. Senior kicker Gabe Brkic is one of Ohio’s best.

9. Aurora - 10-2, Region 5 semifinalist
The Greenmen drop down from D-II where they finished No. 1 in computer points in Region 5 last year.  Been to the playoffs 12 years in a row. Keep an eye on senior defensive back and Akron commit Gavin Blunt.

10. Franklin - 11-1, Region 12 semifinalist
The Wildcats posted some outrageous offensive numbers last year (44 points per game) before bowing out in the second round of the playoffs. This year another extended playoff run is expected. Senior running back Ryan Montgomery is one of the state’s top prospects and one of its most versatile players. Last season Montgomery, who has double-digit scholarship offers (including Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue and Kentucky) had 1,935 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns, caught 36 passes for 518 yards and two touchdowns, completed 39 of 54 passes for 521 yards and four touchdowns and returned 16 kickoffs for 460 yards and a touchdown. He also punted 10 times for a 36.4-yard average. Senior quarterback Braden White returns after throwing for 1,671 yards and 22 touchdowns. Senior linebacker Ryan Knipper (10 sacks) and senior defensive lineman Nate Glossip anchor the defense. Senior kicker Matt Schneider is solid.

Teams to Watch…

* Woodridge (Peninsula) - 11-1, Region 13 semifinalist
The Bulldogs bowed out of last season’s playoffs following a 42-41 OT loss to Perry in the D-IV regional semifinals. Despite bumping up a division, Woodridge returns a stable of talent primed to secure the program’s sixth straight postseason appearance.  Senior quarterback Mason Lydic (three-year starter) leads the offense, while a pair of standout senior linebackers – Spencer Robinson and Robert Singletary – headline the defense.

* Dunbar (Dayton) - 7-3
A pair of forfeits cost the Wolverines (and others) a playoff spot last year. With an offseason OHSAA investigation now complete and head coach Darran Powell back in place, Dunbar can turn its attention to football and what should be a standout season. The Wolverines return two of Ohio’s most sought after senior recruits in running back Tavion Thomas (1,606 yards rushing, 17 touchdowns) and receiver Joseph Scates (739 all-purpose yards, nine touchdowns). Thomas, who is committed to Oklahoma, holds double-digit offers including Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Oregon. Scates holds offers from Alabama and Michigan State among others.

* Tri-Valley (Dresden) - 9-1
Despite nine wins, the Scotties finished .05 points out of the eighth spot in Region 7 last year and failed to make the postseason. Thanks to Competitive Balance, TV drops down a division. Senior quarterback Andrew Newsom and running back Caleb Craig are two reasons expectations remain high. Senior kicker Chase Dinan is a difference maker.

* Granville - 5-5
The Blue Aces were 1-5 against playoff teams last year. Expect improvement with the return of junior quarterback Cameron Crouch (1,826 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in two years) and junior running back Brandon Haley (2,211 rushing yards in two years).

* Holy Name (Parma Heights) - 6-5, Region 13 quarterfinalist
The Green Wave moves up from D-IV. Making that climb less painful is the return of senior quarterback Joe Carter and senior running back Andreus Harhalos.

* Wilmington - 7-3
A year after gaining more than 4,000 yards, the Hurricane offense returns sophomore quarterback Brady Evans (2,055 passing yards and 27 total TDs), senior receiver Dylan Beauguard (34 receptions for 596 yards and 10 total TDs) and senior lineman Connor Barton (four-year starter).

Keep an eye on…
Tippecanoe (Tipp City)
Maysville (Zanesville)
New Richmond
Rocky River
Butler (Vandalia)
Bellbrook
Sandusky
St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron)
Dover