East Palestine's Parker Sherry named National Athlete of the MonthOhio junior earns MaxPreps Semper Fidelis AOM award presented by the Marines. Who are Ohio's top returning high school football players entering the 2018 season? The Buckeye State has a deep talent pool. These are some of the sharks. Kickoff is coming.

Marion Local's Matt Rethman was first team OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio and Midwest Athletic Conference last season.
Photo by ScoutingOhio.com
Ohio HS Football '18: Small School Defensive Backs (Div. V-VII)Key names to know Fridays this fall.
Player, School, Ht, Wt, Graduating Class
* Matt Rethman, Marion Local (Maria Stein), 5-10, 150 (2019)First team
OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio and All-Midwest Athletic Conference. Doubles as a standout receiver who had 48 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns last year.
* Wade Sheets, Crestview (Convoy), 6-2, 170 (2019)First team
OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio defensive back and first team All-Northwest Conference on both sides of the ball. Had nine interceptions and 849 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.
* Dominic Capretta, Kirtland, 5-11, 160 (2019)First team
OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio selection had 29 tackles, six INT and eight pass break ups for state runner-up team.
2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Postseason Brackets* Nic Somodi, Calvert (Tiffin), 6-1, 195 (2019)Honorable Mention
OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio selection is a two-way standout. Was first team All-Sandusky Bay Conference River Division at defensive back (44 tackles, seven interceptions, two touchdowns) and was second team All-SBC on offense at receiver.
* Marquael Parks, Orrville, 5-8, 155 (2021)Second team
OPSWA D-V All-Ohio honoree had 77 tackles, 10 TFL and three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and two fumble recoveries last year. Had 933 yards rushing, 495 receiving and 22 total touchdowns. First team All-Northeast Inland District and Principal's Athletic Conference.
* C.J. Charleston, Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills), 5-11, 155 (2019)Third team
OPSWA D-V All-Ohio selection. Over 140 career tackles.
2017 Ohio HS Football Statewide Statistics* Alex Becker, Hillsdale (Jeromesville), 5-11, 190 (2019)Third team
OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio and first team All-Northeast Inland District. Had 104 tackles, seven interceptions and seven total touchdowns.
* Quinn Hiles, Norwayne (Creston), 6-1, 165 (2019)Third team
OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio and first team All-Northeast Inland District.
* Gabe Streeter, Valley (Lucasville), 5-10, 170 (2019)Third team
OPSWA D-VI All-Ohio and first team All-Southeast District.
2017 Ohio HS Football Pictures* Brett Baker, Grove City Christian, 5-11, 175 (2019)First team
OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio and All-Central District. Doubles as quarterback (868 yards passing, seven touchdowns).
* Ben Mader, Notre Dame (Portsmouth), 6-1, 175 (2019)Third team
OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio and first team All-Southeast District.
* Tanner Schroeder, McComb, 5-11, 175 (2019)Third team
OPSWA D-VII All-Ohio and first team All-Northwest District last season.