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Dustin Stolarski

Elyria

 
 
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D.J. Jones

Ravenna

 
 
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Elyria

 
 
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2009 Ohio high school football teams to watch: Division III

Michael Broida, OhioHSsports.com, November 08, 2009 4:07 p.m.

    Archbishop Hoban Knights

Region: 9

Conference: North Coast—Blue Division

2008 Record: 9-5

Head Coach: Ralph Orsini Players to watch: Ben Coudriet, WR, small for a receiver, but has great hands, finds ways to get openRyan Ross, WR, has deep threat speed, but also blocks well on the edge.Travis Howe, FB, a punishing blocker, gets the tough yards up the middle.David Sutter, OL, 2nd team all-Ohio in 2008 

Outlook for 2009: The Knights had a terrific year in Division II, making it to the region finals before being routed by state champions Sylvania Southview. Hoban shouldn’t expect any easier competition in a revamped DIII. The Knights lose a lot of important offensive producers, but a handful of good skill position players come back to lead a powerful offense. Changing divisions is always tough, but Hoban is back where they’ve succeeded before with enough talent to make any other school in DIII wary.

 

 Columbus St. Francis De Sales Stallions

Region: 10

 Conference: Central Catholic League2008

Record: 13-1

Head Coach: Ryan Wiggins Players to watch: Travis Jackson, OL, 6th best OL in the state by OhioVarsity.com, committed to Michigan State.Chi Chi Ariguzo, LB, 6th best LB according to OhioVarsity.com, committed to NorthwesternAdam Griffin, ATH, explosive, game breaking tailback/returnman. Offers from Air Force, Navy, and Eastern Illinois 

Outlook for 2009: DeSales is, like Hoban, coming home to Division III after a fantastic several seasons in Division II. In 2008, DeSales won their region in the larger D-II. This year, the Stallions return a lot of very talented, D-I prospect that are rarely seen at the D-III high school level, let alone on the same team. DeSales will have to fill a hole at the quarterback position with several upperclassmen gunning for the spot, and have one of the toughest schedules in the division. With so much talent and experience, the Stallions will not be an easy win for any team.

 

 Steubenville Big Red

Region: 11

 Conference: Ohio Valley Athletic—AAAA

2008 Record: 14-1Head Coach: Reno Saccoccia Players to watch: Dwight Macon, QB/ATH, was D-IV co-player of the year. Has 6 D-I offers.

Sage Cutri, TE, Macon’s favorite target Jesse Birden, OLB, vicious pass-rusher, saw good time as a sophomore last year.

 

Outlook for 2009: The Big Red is another team joining the already stacked Division III. Regardless of division, Steubenville is a titan in Ohio high school football, going undefeated in the last six regular seasons. In Division IV, last season, Steubenville lost one game — in the state championship game against Archbishop Alter. Despite moving up to a tougher division, it would be hard to think Steubenville isn’t one of the favorites for Region 11, especially when they are led by athletic standout, Dwight Macon, who has the ability to break any play or game open. The Big Red will be explosive and dominant in ’09.

 

 Circleville Logan Elm BravesRegion: 12Conference: Mid-State —Buckeye Division2008 Record: 12-1Head Coach: Scott Bartholomew Players to watch: Johnnie Brown, QB/ATH, Big play ability, had over 2,300 all-purpose yards and 11 TDsLogan Hauserman, OT/DE, absolutely huge at 6’8” 275 lbs but still with good speed for his size.Adam Blake, WR/SS, elusive wideout who is all over the place on the defensive side. Outlook for 2009: For fans of Ohio football, Logan Elm is something of a crowd favorite: after losing every game two years ago, last year, under new coach Scott Bartholomew, the Braves went undefeated. They lost in the regional finals to Eastmoor Academy. Logan Elm will look to sustain their new success, but will no longer have the advantage of being the underdog. Fortunately for the Braves, Eastmoor has since changed regions. The Braves head into 2009 trying to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. Chances are they’ll succeed. Other teams to watch: St. Vincent-St. Mary, Watterson, Eastmoor Academy, Licking Valley 

 

 
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