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Region 4 Football Preview: The Gauntlet
MVP’s Region 4 Previews and Predictions
MVP TEAMS TO WATCH
Northmont (6-4)
* Players to Watch – LB Kaleb Ringer (6-1, 220, sr.), DT Jeremy Campbell (6-0, 250, sr.), DB Justin Woods (6-1, 185, sr.), DB Bobby Hardy (5-9, 174, sr.), DB Cody Grillot (6-2, 195, jr.), WR Jamal Trammell (6-4, 185, sr.), OL K.J. Rieder (6-6, 290, sr.), QB Cameron Belton (6-2, 170, jr.), RB Gaven Kenerly (6-0, 215, jr.), TE Troy Mangen (6-5, 235, jr.), FB Dante Bland (6-1, 240, so.)
* Outlook – The Thunderbolts have qualified for the playoffs seven of the last 10 seasons, but have missed the postseason two straight years. Coach Lance Schneider, starting his 13th year at Northmont, has the talent back to stop that slide. Ringer has committed to Michigan and will spearhead the defense along with Campbell and Woods. Last season Northmont started five sophomores and freshmen on offense, which should play dividends this year. Belton led the GWOC in passing last year with 1,684 yards and 14 TDs. Trammell caught 33 passes for 487 yards and five TDs last year.
Centerville (9-3, D-I R4 Semifinalist)
* Players to Watch – OL/DL Benny McGowan (6-4, 290, sr.), S Jay Mastin (6-1, 200, sr.), DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (6-4, 207, sr.), OL/DL Evan Lisle (6-5, 260, jr.); OL/DL Brant Gressel (6-1, 265, jr.); FB Chris Barr (5-11, 210, sr.)
* Outlook – The Elks have been one of the most consistent programs in Ohio under Ron Ullery, who returns for his 35th year at Centerville and 12th as head coach (86-30 career record). The Elks, who lost to rival Wayne in double OT last year in the regional semifinals, return a number of starters. Odenigbo (5.5 sacks last year) is one of the state’s Top 10 prospects and holds offers from over 30 schools (including Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon). McGowan is a Michigan State commit and Barr (Air Force) and Mastin (Miami, Ohio, Toledo, BG, Ball State and Buffalo) hold D-I offers. Gressel and Lisle are D-I prospects. Barr (813 yards, 10 TDs) is the top returning rusher. Mastin (62 tackles) was the team’s second leading tackler last year.
Wayne (11-4, D-I State Runner-Up)
* Players to Watch – WR Armani Miller (6-0, 175, sr.); WR/DB Marcus Bonner (6-2, 190, sr.); Toney Peters (6-1, 190, sr.); DL Jonas Mims (6-1, 260, sr.); LB Darien Thornton (5-11, 190, sr.); OL Lovell Peterson (6-4, 280, jr.); QB Javon Harrison (6-1, 190, jr.); DB Jarrod Hardrick (6-0, 180, jr.); OL Cole Newsome (6-3, 260, jr.)
* Outlook – After finishing state runner-up for the second time under his lead, head coach Jay Minton (113-39 in 13 years at Wayne, 164-63 overall) said the Warriors goal is easy. “We’re trying to not come in second anymore,” the coach said. Wayne lost in the 1999 state final and followed with a 6-5 record. Overcoming complacency Minton said will be key. A return trip won’t be easy. The Warriors, who play Middletown, Canton McKinley and Trotwood-Madison in the first four games, lost a lot from last year’s team, including superstar QB Braxton Miller (Ohio State). Harrison steps into the QB role and is another young talent. Miller (Toledo commit) is a D-I receiver and Peterson (Illinois offer) and Newsome might be the best 1-2 junior OL tandem in the state. The cupboard is far from bare. “There is not much to say when you come in second place,” Minton said. “We are either going to come at this thing hungry for another shot at it or satisfied with being runners-up. I have faith our guys will be hungry.”
KEEP AN EYE ON
* Springboro (7-3) – The Panthers are 15-5 the last two years under head coach Ryan Wilhite who is back for his sixth year. According to Wilhite the program’s next step is to earn the school’s first “D-I” playoff berth. Boro became D-I in 2006. This year might be the one in which they get it done. Senior RB Jalen Campbell (6-2, 175) and QB Josh Little (6-2, 200) will lead the charge. Little was the GWOC’s second leading passer last year (1,602 yards and 18 TDs), while Campbell ran for 925 yards and eight TDs. Other key contributors are senior DB Austin Rines (6-0, 185, 81 Tackles), junior WR Jake Johnson (5-11, 165, 25 receptions, 410 yards, 4 TDs) and junior OL/DL Sean Welsh (6-3, 275).
* Xenia (4-6) – Longtime coach Bob DeLong returns for his third year at Xenia and thinks this one could be special. “It takes a special group of kids to turn around losing and I think that this group of kids is that group for us,” DeLong said. Senior DB James Sanford (6-2, 180) is a high-major prospect (offers from Michigan State, Cincinnati and MAC schools) with 4.5 speed in the 40. Senior QB Zack Newsock (6-0, 200) is another player to keep an eye on.
* Fairborn (5-5) – The Skyhawks could be a sleeper in the GWOC South and D-I playoff race. Senior QB Kendrick Williams (6-0, 190) is back after throwing for 1,404 yards and seven TDs. Two of his favorite targets (and two of Southwest Ohio’s best WRs) are seniors Billy Jackson (6-2, 190) and Devon Hamilton (6-2, 180). Jackson caught 30 passes for 543 yards and three TDs last year, while Hamilton snagged 28 passes for 446 yards and three TDs.
Fairborn also returns its leading rusher in senior RB/LB Winston Childers (6-0, 175), who carried the ball 96 times for 472 yards and six TDs.
* Fairmont (2-8) – Second-year head coach and Fairmont alumnus Andy Aracri is looking to “change the culture, develop champions and build something great for the city of Kettering to embrace and be excited about.” He has his work cut out for him in the rugged GWOC Central, but according to the coach, his young team has responded in the offseason. Key contributors will be seniors Nick Bower (RB/LB, 5-11, 210), Nick Orr (P/DB, 6-3, 215) and Matt Silverman (OL. 6-5, 297) and juniors Robert Nsenga (DB, 5-10, 185) and Tom West (QB/DB, 6-2, 215).
* Lebanon (5-5) – The Warriors have a D-I recruit in senior OL James Bennett (6-6, 271) who has committed to Bowling Green.
* Miamisburg (1-9) – The Vikings are improving under head coach Tim Lewis (108-83) who is in his second stint at the school. The Burg averaged 23 points per game last year after averaging just six in 2009. Senior QB Cody Hamblin (5-10, 188) returns after throwing for 1,208 yards and rushing for 971 more. Senior OL Zach Myers (6-4, 277) has committed to Kentucky. Junior RB Zak Kruer (5-11, 175) will log a number of touches (800 yards rushing).
ALSO IN THIS REGION
Beavercreek (1-9)
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Cincinnati St. Xavier
Cincinnati Moeller
Cincinnati Elder
Middletown
Colerain
Centerville
Northmont
Wayne
Dark Horses: Western Hills, Springboro
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