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

Video: Coldwater (OH) 2015 football state champs


1. Coldwater - 15-0, Division V state champion, Region 18 champion
The Cavaliers have been in seven straight state finals, have won four straight state titles, own the state's longest current playoff streak (20 seasons) and own the state's longest current postseason win streak (20 games). Gone from last year's team are 24 seniors, including nine that earned all-Northwest District honors. The Cavs must replace 19 of 22 starters but don't expect a huge dropoff despite the task being tall. Coldwater opens with Kenton and then faces Delphos Jefferson, Marion Local and Fort Recovery. Three of those first four are on the road. Key returning seniors for head coach Chip Otten (79-11 in six years at CW) are lineman Troy Sanning (6-1, 210), wide receiver/defensive back Neal Muhlenkamp (6-2, 195) and quarterback/linebacker Dylan Thobe (6-4, 180). Key newcomers are senior defensive end Patrick Klosterman (6-1, 190), senior defensive end Andrew Siefring (6-1, 190), junior running back/linebacker Bradley Giere (5-11, 190) and senior linebacker/tight end Zach Klosterman (6-5, 200). Said Otten: "We have quite a few unknown players that we think can be good but are unproven. We're looking forward to the challenge of competing for a MAC title and continuing the playoff streak."

2. Canton Central Catholic - 11-4, state runner-up, Region 15 champion
The Crusaders earned another shot at Coldwater in the state final and finished runner-up again. Key returning seniors include a pair of all-Ohioans in linebacker Griffin Baumoel (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and kicker Dan Mills (6-0, 180). Baumoel holds double-digit offers including all three service academies and several MAC schools.

3. Garaway (Sugarcreek) - 6-4
After an 11-win season in 2013 and some lofty expectations last year, the Pirates stumbled. Guess what? Expectations remain. And for good reason: talent is rampant. Senior offensive lineman Joel Honigford (6-6, 243) is ranked the 15th-top recruit in Ohio in the JJHuddle Top 100, and has committed to Michigan. He held nearly 30 offers, including Oklahoma, Michigan State, Penn State, Auburn and Nebraska. Senior quarterback and four-year starter RJ Jacobs (6-1, 190) has thrown for 7,864 yards and 89 scores. He's also rushed for 20 touchdowns. Also back are senior receivers Quinn Miller (5-10, 170) and Ty Hamsher (6-0, 190), sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Alshire (5-11, 245) and senior linebacker Ian Hershberger (5-11, 190).

4. Wheelersburg - 13-1, state semifinalist, Region 17 champion
The Pirates, who haven't had a season below .500 since 1963, made the playoffs for the 27th time last season and won their 30th league title (SOC). Head coach Rob Woodward (78-19 in eight years) is banking on a record number of players (near 90 in grades 9-12) to breed a lot of competition internally. The defense returns junior linebacker Xander Carmichael (6-2, 210 with a team-leading 98 tackles), senior linebacker Clint Hatfield (6-1, 195), junior defensive lineman Jeremy Cooper (5-11, 190) and senior defensive back Taylor Doerr (5-11, 180). The offense will feature the senior trio of lineman Lyden Collins (6-2, 270), running back Keaton Newsome (6-0, 200) and wide receiver Tanner Bivens (6-0, 180), sophomore wide receiver Tanner Holden and junior running back Dominic Reyes (5-6, 155). Senior kicker Daylor Lewis (5-7, 175) is a two-time all-Ohioan.

5. Sandy Valley (Magnolia) - 10-2, Region 15 semifinalist
The Cardinals reached the school's first postseason last year and promptly won their first playoff game (28-14 over East Palestine). Expectations are high. Senior quarterback Nelson Mozden (6-0, 180) leads a group of seven returning all-Eastern District performers. Five seniors – offensive lineman Darren Finn (6-2, 200), defensive lineman Francesco Borsellino (6-2, 270), defensive lineman Chad Neisel (6-3, 230), offensive lineman Donnie Slack (6-0, 250) and linebacker Evan Keck (5-8, 180) – and junior running back Dray Bracken (6-1, 180) are the other six.

6. Ridgewood (West Lafayette) - 10-2, Region 17 semifinalist
The Generals own 11 playoff appearances since 2003 and should net No. 12. A strong senior class returns that includes lineman Keith Leindecker (6-3, 240), running back/defensive back Trent Harrison (5-10, 175), quarterback/defensive back Jhett Slusser (6-0, 165), lineman Nathaniel Thompson (6-2, 215), wide receiver/defensive back Braeden Smith (6-1, 170) and linebacker Kyle Bethel (5-11, 175). Also back is sophomore kicker Keith Claxon (5-9, 150).

7. Coshocton - 7-3
The Redskins are set up for a big season with the return of a talented senior class led by quarterback Andrew Mason (6-2, 200), running back Jake Fortney (6-0, 200), running back Zach Michael (6-0, 190), linebacker Dallas Griffiths (6-2, 210) and defensive lineman Kobie Means (5-10, 230).

8. Edison (Milan) - 12-2, State semifinalist, Region 16 champion
The Chargers are coming off the most successful season in school history, so enthusiasm is at an all-time high. Graduation left some questions reading leadership and quarterback play, but plenty of talent and experience returns. Key returning senior starters are offensive lineman Nick Frederick, defensive back Braden Ehrhardt, linebacker Dalton Burns, linebacker Alex Neuberger, linemen Zach Darling, Cameron Perdue and Dawson Timbs and defensive back Bryce Ostheimer. A pair of junior standouts return as well in fullback/defensive back Sam Stoll and defensive end Logan Collins.

9. Harrison Central (Cadiz) - 8-2, Region 17 quarterfinalist
The Huskies return a solid senior nucleus that includes offensive lineman Brenton Stull (6-0, 240), linebacker Jesse Ball (6-1, 265), wide receiver Kyle Roberts (6-1, 170), offensive lineman Lance Smith (5-11, 280) and defensive back Tyler Carter (6-1, 190). Sophomore offensive lineman Nevada Kuryn (6-1, 290) and junior offensive lineman Ronnie Bowers (5-10, 195) will contribute heavily.

10. Norwayne (Creston) - 9-2, Region 16 quarterfinalist
The Bobcats will ride senior quarterback Elmer Zollinger (6-2, 200), who threw for 1,367 yards and 12 scores and ran for 693 yards and eight touchdowns last year. The senior trio of defensive lineman Jacob Sattelmaier (6-0, 200 with 58 tackles), linebacker Chase Gasser and defensive back Zach Steiner anchor the defense.

Keep an Eye On * Swanton - 10-2, Region 16 semifinalist
The Bulldogs won seven games from 2009-2013, so last year’s run to the regional semifinals was quite the momentum changer. It was the program’s second playoff berth and first since 1995. Expectations remain with the return of a strong senior nucleus led by receiver Gunnar Oakes (6-4, 200), kicker Nick Koback (5-7, 150), linebacker Tim Rankin and offensive lineman Zach Dziengelewskii (6-3, 250). Sophomore running back Michael Lawniczak was all-NWOAL last year.

* Carlisle - 6-5, Region 18 quarterfinalist
The Indians ended a four-year playoff drought last season and expectations are high. Senior running back Ridge Reed (6-0, 200) ran for 1,825 yards and 19 touchdowns last season en route to being named the SWBL Buckeye Offensive Player of the Year. He ran for 1,100 yards and 18 scores as a sophomore. The x-factor? Try junior running back/defensive back DJ Chambers (5-9, 180), who has 13 combinerd touchdowns in two years. Chambers, Reed and senior defensive lineman Reece Human (6-3, 250) were first team all-SWBL Buckeye last year. Other key returning seniors are linebacker Caleb Boy (6-2, 195) and defensive back Adam Goodpaster (5-11, 170).

* Greeneview (Jamestown) - 8-4, Region 18 semifinalist
The Rams continued their recent resurrection by following up the program's first playoff berth (and win) with another. Greeneview, which had its first winning season since 1999 in 2013 (went 6-4), reached the regional semifinals for the second-straight year. Expect more history. Veteran head coach Neal Kasner (118-68 career) returns a solid core including the senior quartet of tight end/linebacker Ethan Bradds (6-5, 245 with 30 career receptions, Eastern Kentucky commit), quarterback Collin Matt (6-0, 185 with 1,000 yards passing, 500 yards rushing), lineman Isaiah Harding (6-0, 250 with 45 tackles) and running back/linebacker Austin Roberts (6-0, 195 with 75 tackles). Junior linebacker/running back Jacob Green (6-0, 185) was last year's leading tackler. Additional key senior contributors will be lineman Garrett Wilson (6-1, 255), lineman Logan Lehman (5-10, 280), lineman Tommy Smith (6-0, 220), defensive back David VanHorn (6-0, 140) and kicker Bryce Wilson (6-0, 170 and 4-for-4 on field goals and 28-for-30 on PATs). Junior wide receiver/defensive back Tyler Robinette (5-10, 175) had 20 catches last year. Keep an eye on junior running back/linebacker Griffin Mangan (5-9, 190), junior wide receiver/defensive back Lane Goodbar (5-5, 165), sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Ian Tamplin (5-9, 180) and sophomore lineman Jaron Stoneburner (6-3, 245).

* Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy - 10-2, Region 18 semifinalist
This is the 20th year for the CHCA program, which is looking for its 17th-straight winning season. The Eagles have made all 11 of the program's playoff appearances in the last 14 years and have gone to the postseason six years in a row. This season former New Albany coach Mark Mueller takes over for Eric Taylor. Taylor left after eight seasons at CHCA to return to his alma mater (Deer Park) as football coach and athletic director. Mueller has to replace last year's all-Southwest District and MVC offensive and defensive players of the year (quarterback Johnny Noyen and defensive end Prince Sammons). The cupboard isn't bare. Key returning seniors include running back Kesean Gamble (5-11, 225), running back/linebacker Benjamin Collado (5-11, 190) and offensive lineman Nick Noyen (6-2, 270). Gamble, who has offers from Toledo and Miami of Ohio, ran for 557 yards and 18 touchdowns in seven games last year. Collado ran for 471 yards and six scores. Noyen has Ivy League suitors.

* Garfield (Garrettsville) - 7-3
The G-Men will feature a potent offense led by senior quarterback Dalton Fall (6-4, 225) who threw for 1,800 yards, 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions last year. Also back are senior running back Kyle Borrelli (6-0, 200 with 700 yards rushing), senior receiver Seth Morgan (6-0, 175 with 800 total yards), junior running back Anthony Denigris (5-9, 175 with 700 total yards) and junior running back Dalton Michael (5-10, 185 with eight touchdowns).

* Berkshire (Burton) - 6-5, Region 15 quarterfinalist
The Badgers made the program's fourth playoff trip last season and first since 1981. Expectations are high with the returning senior nucleus of running back Emil Hess (6-4, 170), athlete Will Blechschmid (5-9, 160), defensive lineman James Speelman (5-9, 205) and linebacker Nick Hunt (5-11, 155). Junior kicker Jacob Hanson (5-8, 165) is a good one.

* Crestview (Columbiana) - 10-3, Region 15 finalist
The Rebels are 39-11 the last four seasons and have made the playoffs 11 of the last 12 years. Senior defensive lineman Jordan Murphy (6-4, 237) holds offers from Iowa State, Eastern Michigan and Toledo.