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MVP Fab 5 Football Division III Rankings: Preseason
We’re back again with the third annual MVP Fab 5 Football Rankings. Today we continue by releasing Division III. Over the course of the next week we will unveil a new division daily and wrap with D-VI on Saturday.
Here’s a look at our Preseason Division III Rankings…
1. Kettering Alter (11-3, D-IV State Semifinalist)
* Players to Watch – LB Danny Thimons (6-2, 195, sr.), QB Malik Zaire (6-1, 185, jr.), OL Cody Collins (6-3, 270, jr.), RB Jackson Vandergriff (5-10, 215, sr.), RB Joe Penno (6-0, 180, sr.), K Andrew DiMario (n/a, sr.)
* Outlook – The Knights have won more games (64) than any program in Ohio over the last five years. They’ve also won two state titles and four regional championships over that span. A usual Alter has holes to fill but capable replacements. Zaire is one of Ohio’s top junior prospects and already owns an offer from Cincinnati. DiMario has scored 119 points the last two years (98 Pats, seven FGs).
Opener: at Kettering Fairmont
2. Springfield Shawnee (10-2, D-III R12 Semifinalist)
* Players to Watch – QB Brad Jarzab (6-0, 195, sr.), RB Alex McCrory (6-1, 215, jr.), LB Ryan Mayfield (n/a, sr.), OL Joel Schilke (n/a, sr.), DL Lucas Sparks (6-1, 215, sr.), DB Jordan Huggins (n/a, jr.), DB James Williams (n/a, jr.)
* Outlook – The Braves have been to the playoffs two years in a row and should make it three. Jarzab, the reigning CBC Kenton Division Player of the Year, returns after throwing for 928 yards and seven TDs and rushing for 1,094 yards and 17 TDs. McCrory is one of Ohio’s top juniors after rushing for 704 yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore. Defensively, Mayfield (110 tackles), Sparks (71 tackles), McCrory (55 tackles), Huggins (54 tackles) and Williams (46 tackles) return.
Opener: at Springfield Catholic Central
 3. Eaton (12-1, D-III R12 Finalist)
* Players to Watch – QB/DB Cole French (6-5, 195, sr.), RB Nathan Clark (5-11, 170, sr.), WR/DB Joe McCafferty (5-11, 168, sr.), OL/DL Andrew McKee (6-3, 270, sr.)
* Outlook – The Eagles had a historic season last year, making it to the regional final for the first time ever. Another lengthy postseason run could be in the cards. French (Toledo offer) is one of the state’s most versatile players. Last season he completed 63-percent of his passes for 2,780 yards and 27 TDs; ran for five TDs; picked off four passes as a DB; kicked 54 PATs and two FGs; and averaged 36 yards per punt. Clark returns after rushing for 1,366 yards and 21 TDs. McCafferty is a standout too.
Opener: vs Oxford Talawanda
4. Dunbar (7-4, D-III R12 Quarterfinalist)
* Players to Watch – RB/LB D’Gary Wallace (5-11″, 180, sr.), DL/TE Jarrod Clements (6-3, 225, jr.), DL/TE Gary Akbar (6-4, 215, sr.), OL/DL Timauri Freeman (6-3, 230, sr.), RB/DB Leo Montgomery (5-10″, 210, jr.), QB/DB Kris Hall (6-1, 180, sr.), OL/DL Charles Armstrong (5-11″, sr.), OL/DL DeShawn Dunston (5-10″, jr.), OL/DL Dorian Harden (6-3, sr.)
* Outlook – The Wolverines have been to the postseason two of the last three years and head coach James Lacking (35-27 in six years) has the horses to do it again. Hall is a dynamic player who threw for 1,981 yards, 21 TDs and just three INTs last season. He holds an offer from Eastern Illinois. Wallace returns after scoring seven TDs and logging 58 tackles and six sacks. Clements already holds an offer from Toledo.
Opener: @ Valley View
5. Benjamin Logan (7-3)
* Players to Watch – LB Aaron Myers (5″11, 210, sr.), OL Sam Baker (6-1, 215, sr.), OL Kyle Rose (6-3, 240, sr.), LB Dustin Bowers (5-11, 185, sr.), DL Beau Harmon (6-2, 240, jr.), DE Tanner Penwell (6-2, 265, jr.), DB/WR Zak Wirick (6-2, 165, sr.), DB Caleb Titus (5-9, 155, sr.), RB Joey DiLoreto (5-9, 160, sr.), QB Trent Rodenberger (6-2, 175, jr.), OL Landon Johnson (6-4, 235, jr.)
* Outlook – The Raiders had a breakout year last season and expectations are high this year with the return of 16 starters. Said head coach Carelton Cotner (33-47 career record): “The goal of this year’s team is to earn the school’s first ever playoff berth. We have a challenging schedule with several perennial playoff teams on it so we will find out real quick how good we are. We will not sneak up on anybody. Everybody will be gunning for us.” Myers led the Raiders in tackles (119) last season.
Opener: @ DeGraff Riverside
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DIVISION I RANKINGS
DIVISION II RANKINGS
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