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

Video: Andrew Stocker - 2015 sophomore
See the Fort Recovery defensive lineman in action


1. Fort Recovery - 13-2, D-VII state champion
A year after advancing to the playoffs for the first time in history, the Indians won their first state title and set school records for wins (13) and MAC wins (six). For an encore, look for another deep postseason run. Fort Recovery returns eight starters on offense led by senior quarterback and Toledo commit Caleb Martin (6-foot-2, 200 pounds). Martin threw for 2,490 yards and 22 TDs last season and also ran for 376 yards and five scores. Martin set D-VII records for completions (25), yards (385) and touchdowns (five) in the state final. Finding some new wide receivers is key. Junior defensive lineman Andrew Stocker (6-0, 240) was first team all-MAC last season. Senior Kyle Knapke (6-5, 260) anchors the offensive line.

2. McComb - 12-2, Region 24 champion
The Panthers have made the playoffs six years in a row and 14 times in 17 years. Expect both streaks to grow. McComb led the BVC in total offense (450.9 yards per game) and scoring (43.3 points) last season and returns the BVC Offensive POY in senior Malachi Abbott (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), who completed 90 of 161 passes for 1,773 yards and 24 scores as a junior. He also ran for 438 yards and four touchdowns. Also back is senior offensive lineman Matt Cherry (6-4, 290). The defense, which led the BVC in points (6.2) and yards (113) allowed last year, returns a strong nucleus led by senior linebacker Jake Crouse (6-1, 205). Also back are senior defensive back Caden Schroeder (5-11, 200) and junior defensive back Cameron Morris (5-11, 170).

3. Mogadore - 13-2, state runner-up, Region 23 champion
The Wildcats have made the postseason every year since the playoffs expanded to eight teams (1999). Last season Mogadore also won its 40th league title. Both streaks should grow. Senior Austin Williams (14 scores) returns, as does senior receiver Jarad Dunn (34 catches, 724 yards, 12 touchdowns) and junior linebacker Paul Skye (last season's leading tackler with 139).

4. Lehman Catholic (Sidney) - 7-5, Region 26 semifinalist
The Cavaliers are coming off their 15th playoff berth and ninth in 11 years. Junior defensive back Owen Smith (5-11, 170 with 114 tackles) was first team AP Southwest District and NWCC. Senior linebacker/running back Jake Earhart (5-10, 175) returns after rushing for 1,122 yards and 12 scores. Earhart also made 79 tackles last season after having 111 as a sophomore. The receiving corps will be extremely talented with senior Dylan Arnold (5-11, 160 with 45 catches for 604 yards and 11 touchdowns), junior Brandon Barhorst (5-10, 155 with 38 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns) and senior Jared Rourke (5-9, 150 with four catches for 82 yards and three scores). Arnold had over 1,000 all-purpose yards and four interceptions last year. Senior linebacker Wyatt Long (6-1, 200 with 69 tackles) and junior defensive lineman Mike Bunker (6-6, 240 with 51 tackles and nine sacks) will bolster the defense.

5. John F. Kennedy Catholic (Warren) - 11-2, Region 23 finalist
After back-to-back 2-8 seasons, the Eagles made the Elite Eight last season. Senior standout defensive back Jacob Coates (5-9, 170 with a Youngstown State offer) headlines a solid list of returners that also includes senior linebacker Evan Boyd (6-1, 200), senior kicker Justin Bofenkamp (6-0, 170) and junior offensive lineman Chris Urchek (6-2, 220).

6. East (Sciotoville) - 6-5, Region 25 quarterfinalist
The Tartans will feature a loaded offense that returns every player that contributed to last season’s 3,401 total yards and 284 points. The headliner is senior running back Akia Brown (5-foot-10, 165 pounds), who is looking for his fourth-straight 1,000-yard rushing season after running for 1,324 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. Opening holes will be junior lineman Blaine Scott (6-5, 300), who is quickly becoming one of the country’s top prospects with 16 scholarship offers including Vanderbilt, Purdue, Rutgers, Kentucky, Indiana, Cincinnati, North Carolina State and Syracuse. Senior quarterback Drew Lowe (6-2, 210 with 947 yards passing, eight touchdowns) returns as does the entire receiving corps, led by junior JD Hatcher (6-2, 185 with 16 receptions, 398 yards and four scores), senior DeShawn Martin (5-9, 180 with 17 catches for 193 yards, two touchdowns) and senior Zane Scott (5-11, 190 with nine catches, 140 yards and two touchdowns). Scott also carried the ball 40 times for 431 yards and four scores last season, while Martin had 36 carries for 240 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, the Tartans return their top nine tacklers, led by junior linebacker Ethan Carver (5-10, 195 with 93 tackles). Other key returners include Brown (68 tackles, four interceptions), Scott (57 tackles, 12 for loss) and Martin (47 tackles) at linebacker, defensive line and defensive back, respectively. Junior linebacker Ethan Gifford (6-0, 210) had 61 tackles and a team-leading six sacks last year. He doubles as the kicker.

7. St. Paul (Norwalk) - 10-2, Region 23 semifinalist
Veteran head coach John Livengood has a record of 235-66 with 17 playoff appearances, seven regional titles and five state finals in 23 years. He'll have a great shot at adding to those numbers again. The Flyers return a good one in senior linebacker Derek Gross.

8. Minster - 10-3, Region 22 finalist
A year after going 12-3 and winning the program's second state title and first since 1988, the Wildcats reached the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Head coach Geron Stokes enters his fourth year at the school and will have some holes to fill. Senior wide receiver Bryce Schmiesing (5-10, 180) was first team all-MAC after being second team as a sophomore.

9. Harvest Prep (Canal Winchester) - 9-3, Region 25 semifinalist
The Warriors hosted and won the program’s first playoff game last year. Coming off back-to-back MSL titles, momentum is at an all-time high. Key returners include senior offensive lineman Quinton Woodson-Levey (5-11, 240), junior running back Daniel Bangura (5-9, 170), junior defensive lineman Isaiah Mullens (6-6, 230) and senior defensive back/wide receiver Nijal Jackson (5-9, 170).

10. Wellsville - 5-5
The Tigers have made the playoffs three times in five years. Senior running back/defensive back Michael Shope (6-0, 170) was first team all-ITCL last year. Other key returning seniors and all-ITCL selections are running back Branzen Grodhaus (6-0, 195), linebacker Hayden Dalrymple (6-0, 205) and running back/linebacker Bradley Cline (5-10, 170).

Keep an Eye On

* Fort Loramie -  6-5, Region 26 quarterfinalist
The Redskins have made the playoffs seven years in a row. Veteran head coach Whit Parks (35 years of head coaching experience including stints at Danville, Fredricktown, Mount Vernon, Zanesville, Zanesville Rosecrans, Maysville and neighboring Minster) enters year No. 2 at Fort Loramie and welcomes back a great one in senior Nate Pleiman (6-1, 195), a three-time all-NWCC selection (two-time first team). Pleiman had 62 tackles and 12 sacks last season and also caught nine passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns. Other key contributors will be senior linebacker Dan Berning (6-1, 190 with 108 tackles), senior punter Cody Gasson (5-10, 170 with a 41.2 yard average) and junior running back Carter Mescher (5-10, 150 with 390 yards, five touchdowns).

* Covington - 8-3, Region 26 quarterfinalist
The Buccs earned their 11th-straight and 20th overall playoff berth last season. Veteran head coach Dave Miller (86-20 in nine years) left for D-I Kettering Fairmont in the offseason. Enter Tyler Cates, who comes from CCC rival Twin Valley South. Cates went 18-11 in three years at TVS and 2-1 against Covington.

* Shadyside - 4-7, Region 25 quarterfinalist
The Tigers extended their playoff string to 11 straight years despite winning just four games. Shadyside started 1-6 before winning three straight to close the regular season and earn a sixth seed at 4-6. Key returners include senior lineman Donnie Meadows (6-2, 251), junior offensive lineman Dylan Hanson (5-9, 185) and senior defensive back Gregory Quinn (5-7, 140).

* Trimble (Glouster) - 9-3, Region 25 semifinalist
The Tomcats and head coach Phil Faires (171-70 in 22 years) are 36-5 the last three years and were state runners-up in 2013. The program is looking to make a push for its seventh-straight postseason berth and 13th overall. Senior wide receiver Kamron Curry (5-11, 170) will look to contribute heavily. Trimble must replace six first team all-TVC performers, including two-time Offensive POY Justice Jenkins.

* Caldwell - 11-2, Region 25 finalist
The Redskins have won 22 games the last two years but will have some voids to fill offensively. The defense is led by senior linebacker Sheldon Archer (6-0, 200; 129 tackles) and senior defensive back Jason Allen (5-7, 145 with four interceptions). Allen doubles as a standout punter.

* Monroeville - 6-5, Region 23 quarterfinalist
The Eagles went from 1-9 in 2014 to the first round of the playoffs. Quite a turnaround. Senior running back Blake Anderson returns after setting school records for single-season rushing yards (1,476) and attempts (215). He scored 15 touchdowns.

* Toronto - 10-2, Region 23 semifinalist
The Red Knights made the postseason for the sixth time in history last season. Senior running back Max Tice (5-11, 195) returns after two all-East District honors.

* Arlington - 5-6, Region 24 quarterfinalist
The Red Devils have made four straight trips to the playoffs and have been in the regional final two of the last three years. Senior defensive lineman Logan Speyer (6-4, 240) had 61 tackles and 14 tackles for loss last season. Also back are all-BVC selections Drew Begg (OL, 5-9, 185) and Nathan Russell (DL, 6-0, 165).

* Leipsic - 6-6, Region 24 quarterfinalist
The Vikings are 57-24 the last seven years and have been to the playoffs each season. Graduation hit the program hard. Key returners are senior offensive lineman Jordan Berger (6-2, 240) and sophomore defensive back Cole Rieman (6-0, 150).

* Lucas - 11-2, Region 24 finalist
The Cubs have been to the playoffs two years in a row and have the talent to make it three. Replacing all-Ohio running back Mason Galco is a big task. Expect junior running back and returning all-Mid Buckeye Conference performer Jackson Hauger (5-10, 172) to get plenty of carries. Senior lineman Jacob Arnold (6-1, 243) anchors the lines. New opponents include West Jefferson and Colonel Crawford.

* Calvert (Tiffin) - 6-6, Region 24 semifinalist
The Senecas have been to the playoffs five years in a row (and 14 times overall). Senior receiver Corbin Kantner (6-3, 185) and senior offensive linemen Dominic Bickley (6-5, 323) and Andrew Brodman (5-11, 195) anchor the offense.