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Passing Yards

Dustin Stolarski

Elyria

 
 
2805
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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D.J. Jones

Ravenna

 
 
2137
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Demetrius Walton

Elyria

 
 
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2009 Ohio high school football teams to watch: Division I

Michael Broida, OhioHSsports.com, November 08, 2009 4:08 p.m.

     

Glenville Academic Campus Tarblooders

Region: 1

Conference: Senate Athletic League

2008 record: 11-1

Head coach: Ted Ginn Sr.

Players to watch:  Latwan Anderson, DB, 2nd ranked prospect by OhioVarsity.com

Christian Bryant, SS, offers from PAC Ten, Big Ten, and SEC schools

Jayrone Elliot, LB, has eight DI offers including Michigan State and West Virginia

James Gordon, LB, offers from Illinois and Ball State Shane Wynn, Ath/WR, was almost uncatchable as a sophomore returning kicks Tony Foster, RB, transferred over from VASJ

Outlook for 2009: The Tarblooders have one of the most stacked teams in recent memory with four players with D-I offers on the defense alone. Their talented team has received big recognition, being ranked 5th in the nation by the National Prep Football Poll. Possibly the fastest team in the state, expect Ginn's shotgun offense to take full advantage of every athlete on the roster and create big plays. Glenville's biggest challenge will be their opener against defending champs St. Ignatius. A strong win could set the tone for a dominating season.

 

North Canton Hoover Vikings

Region: 2

Conference: Federal League

2008 record: 12-2

Head Coach: Don Hertler Jr.

Players to watch: Erick Howard, RB, last year's Mr. Football-the state's MVP.

Brett Tulodzieski, QB, very mobile, threw for 1,400 yards and 8 TDs last year

A.J. Sarbaugh, K/TE, 2nd team all-Ohio in 2008

Outlook for 2009: Rarely does a team have the fortunate opportunity of having the reigning Mr. Football come back to defend his title. Erick Howard will lead an offense rife with opportunity. However Hoover and Howard will have to overcome the pressure of being on top after winning both the MVP and Region 2 last season. If the passing attack and the defense can occupy other teams, expect to see the Vikings, and Howard, roll deep into the playoffs. Standing in their way, however, will be in-region rivals Canton McKinley and  GlenOak.

 

Upper Arlington Golden Bears

Region: 3

Conference: Ohio Capital-Central Division

2008 record: 10-2

Head Coach: Mike Golden


 

Players to watch: Dan Botomogno, LB, at 6'1, 250 lbs expect him to clog up any holes coming up the middle.Mark McClain, SS-WR, McClain has already committed to play next year at Princeton.Kyle Cassady, QB, grandson of Howard, "Hopalong" Cassady, is a fantastic athlete.

Outlook for 2009: Upper Arlington has set a big task in front of themselves, opening their season against St. Thomas Aquinas from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the defending USA Today National champions. Upper Arlington has a high percentage of their offensive and defensive line returning this year-the foundation of any solid team. This should make adjusting to the starting role a lot easier for Kyle Cassady, who was injured last season, as well as make their blitz-heavy 3-5 defense very lethal. Upper Arlington will not be the flashiest team in the Region, but they will be very good.

 

Cincinnati Elder Panthers

Region: 4

Conference: Greater Catholic-South Division

2008 record: 13-2

Head Coach: Doug Ramsey

Players to watch: Alex Welch, TE, has great size at 6'5 225 lb. Caught 32 in '08. Has committed to Notre Dame.Tim O'Conner, WR, has big play ability. Played great in '08 title game. Committed to Indiana.Mark Miller, QB, named co-offensive player of the year in 2008.

Outlook for 2009: In 2008, Elder emerged as a dominant team, strong on both sides of the ball, in a very strong Region 4 before losing a close state championship game to St. Ignatius. The Panthers' work will be cut out for them to get back to Canton. Elder's defense will have to reprove itself after losing some talent to graduation, but the offense will be able to pick up the slack through the air with three very talented players including Alex Welch, one of the best tight ends in the nation. Look for tough back-to-back games against Archbishop Moeller and St. Xavier. If the Panthers provide a good defense, this offensive powerhouse will make a run towards Fawcett Stadium.

 

Other teams to watch: St. Ignatius, Mentor, Canton McKinley, Massillon Washington, Worthington Kilbourne, Pickerington Central, Cincinnati Moeller, St. Xavier

 
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