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Ohio High School Football Forecast
3rd Edition
July 24th 2003
By Sportscaster17
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PROLOGUE
*The young writer squirmed in his chair while the
producer looked over his script. It was the story of
a small Ohio town which got caught up in the
excitement of living out the American football dream.
How they responded with thunderous ovations, deafening
chants and fluttering red and white pom-poms. It told
the story of one particularly remarkable athlete and
how he re-wrote the state's record book. It told the
story of how he threw for 6,509 yards, ran for 1,434
more and notched 94 total touchdowns, 76 of them
through the air. The story of the kid's 19,894 total
career yards, and one cool, rainy night when he threw
for 569 yards and six touchdowns. The story told of a
team which started 0-2, a year removed from a 15-0
state championship season. The script was filled with
game-saving defensive stops, bone-crunching hits,
controversial calls, and a sequence of week nine
events that defied belief. And in the end, it told of
the climactic state championship game, where a team
which was once 0-2 and searching for answers, met its
date with destiny in the hallowed stadium where
football all started.
*The producer finished the script and looked the
writer in the eye. "It's good kid, but I'm going to
have to pass. People prefer real-life these days, and
fantasy just doesn't sell."
*The main purpose and goal for these forecasts and
projections is to provide an in-depth look at the top
high school football teams in each division for fans
across Ohio. Information for these reports is taken
from the previous three seasons, as well as from
first-hand information given by coaches, players, and
fans from the teams. Please keep in mind that these
reports are the thoughts of one person, but also keep
in mind that in last year's edition, three out of the
six eventual state champions were selected correctly
two months before a single game was played.
DIVISION I
Last Year's Champion: Cincinnati Elder
THE CHAMP: WARREN HARDING
WHY: No team rallied in the game's final moments more
in 2002 than Thom McDaniels' Raiders. Down 10 with
seven minutes to play in USA Today's Game of the Week
verses Massillon, the Raiders capped a terrific
comeback to stun the Tigers 31-27. In the Divisional
Playoffs against St. Ed's, Harding kicked a walk-off
field goal to beat the Eagles 18-16. In a
much-anticipated rematch with Massillon, Warren again
looked left for dead. The Tigers forged ahead with a
minute to play, only to have the Raiders duplicate
their week nine rally. In overtime, the Tigers
scored, and looked a cinch to force an additional
extra session, that's when Max Schaefer's extra point
hooked left sending the Rubber Bowl into a state of
delirious celebration. One key weapon in Harding's
'02 exploits was underclassman Mario Manningham. A
splendid all-around player, he can single handedly
take over a game (ask Rick Shepas). Manningham will
be joined by transfer Delbert Ferguson, who still gives
Coldwater fans nightmares from his performance against
them in the 2000 state finals. Coach McDaniels' squad
is once again loaded with talent, and though another
miracle comeback eluded them in the 2002 finals
against Elder, the Raiders will cap their return to
prominence with 2003's big school state title.
THE UNDERCARD: CINCINNATI ELDER, CLEVELAND ST.
IGNATIUS
WHY: Through a driving snowstorm at The Drip last
year in the state finals, the Panthers thwarted a late
Warren Harding uprising to hang on for a 21-19
victory. The Pit northeast was as-advertised, and for
once, Hamilton County will be defending the Ohio big
school state pennant. Senior Rob Florian will lead
the Panthers' attack in 2003 for head coach Doug
Ramsey through a brutal regular season schedule.
Elder lost just one of ten regular season games in
'02, the loss coming to Kentucky state champion
Louisville Trinity. The Panthers played their best
game of the year at Lakewood Stadium, knocking off St.
Ignatius 45-35. Ignatius, which qualified for the
playoffs as the seven seed, met Warren Harding in the
wild card round and fell 24-17. Coach Kyle loses one
of his best all-around players in the past 10 years in
Tony Gonzalez, but return quarterback Brian Hoyer, who
showed flashes of brilliance in 2002. Iggy has
Massillon's number, and as long as Chuck Kyle patrols
the sidelines, no one had better ever overlook the
Wildcats.
THE OPENING ACT: CINCINNATI COLERAIN, MASSILLON WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
Last Year's Champion: Dayton Chaminade-Julienne
THE CHAMP: OLMSTED FALLS
WHY: In 2000, the Bulldogs capped a marvelous season
by defeating Piqua in the championship game. Last
November Falls stunned Louisville and went on to the
state semi-finals where their long playoff run came to
an abrupt end at the hands of Nordonia. Head Coach
Jim Ryan is beginning his 16th season at the helm,
and has compiled an impressive 112-52 record while in
Olmsted Falls. The Bulldog defense pitched three
shutouts in 2002, and return many of the key
components. That coupled with an experienced
quarterback and a not-so-loaded Division II will bring
Coach Ryan his second state title in four seasons.
THE UNDERCARD: AVON LAKE, PIQUA
WHY: : It was Avon Lake which was outlasted by eventual
state runner-up Nordonia in 2002. A 58-32 slugfest in
which no scoreboard was safe. The Shoremen are a
post-season perennial, and until last season, always
seemed to take a much-too-early exit. The returning
players seemed to have learned a lesson, and are
primed to once again make a run to the state's final
eight. 4-6 wasn't what anyone in Indian Nation
envisioned in a brand new football facility for 2002.
The park opened in 2001 for an outstanding team a year
back from a trip to Massillon, but it never came
together a year ago. One of the returning pieces for
Coach Bill Nees is receiver Austin Netzley who even
saw action in Tiger Town during the 2000 state finals.
His experience as well as the hunger the Indians
should have from a four-win campaign should be enough
to get them back into the month they belong in:
November.
THE OPENING ACT: LOUISVILLE, VANDALIA BUTLER
DIVISION III
Last Year's Champion: Columbus Bishop Watterson
THE CHAMP: CLEVELAND BENEDICTINE
WHY: Preseason Mr. Football candidate Raymond
Williams struggled like a duck in a desert in last
year's state title bout. It could have been the
slippery astroturf, or the driving snowstorm, but
whatever, his absence hurt the Bengals more than Art
Bortnick could have imagined. The Bengals were a
relatively small team in 2002, but they were extremely
athletic. All of that athleticism and quickness
returns in 2003, as the Bennies only sent eight
packing to graduation, and less than half of them were
employed at skill positions. With all of that talent
coming back, it will take quite an effort from another
team in Division III to stop the Bengals from state
title number five. Or at least another snowstorm.
THE UNDERCARD: AKRON BUCHTEL, DAYTON CHAMINADE-JULIENNE
WHY: In any other year, the Buchtel Griffins would be
a lock to win the state title. Instead this is 2003,
the year all the all-star teams decided to converge in
Division III. As much as DII was wide-open, DIII
could even be more so. In fact, three of last years
state champions now make their home in Division III.
Buchtel has as much talent as Benedictine does, but
that didn't save them from one of the state's most
talked-about debacles in recent memory. Leading Hoban
by two scores with short time remaining, the Griffs
somehow allowed the Knights to close the gap. Then,
as if aided by supernatural forces, the Knights took
the lead as Steven Walker ran on fourth down instead
of taking a safety. Game over. It would be unfair to
say that the only thing separating the Griffs from a
trip to state would be another bone-headed meltdown.
Oh well, we'll say it anyway. It almost seems like
Anthony Turner, Dayton C-J's stud quarterback has been
playing for ten years. It surely must feel that way
for the Eagles' opponents. CJ bumps down to III for
2003 and rest assured, the one thing on Coach Jim
Place's mind is repeat. That will be a tall order, but
the Eagles definitely look primed to make another long
trip into the post-season.
THE OPENING ACT: KENTON, STEUBENVILLE
DIVISION IV
Last Year's Champion: Kenton
THE CHAMP: COLDWATER
WHY: Kevin Hoyng graduated a couple months ago. Good
news for MAC and Division IV fans right? Wrong,
relation Alex Hoyng will still be part of John Reed's
potent attack. If ever there was a public school that
could make "We don't rebuild, we reload" its
rallying cry, it is the Cavaliers. No matter what,
the Cavs are always a threat. 2003 will be no
exception. An unhealthy quarterback hurt the Cavs'
chances at a rematch with Kenton, as Coldwater was
bounced by an upstart Reading team 41-38. Once again
the Cavaliers will open with the Kenton Wildcats - a
terrific gauge on what both clubs look like out of the
chute. With no one named Mauk standing in the way, it
will be another Hoyng which will bring that
ever-deserving state title to C-town.
THE UNDERCARD: IRONTON, PORTSMOUTH
WHY: Yawn. When in doubt pick the perennials. Its not
disrespect for any other squad, but the proven track
record of both of the above teams warrant their
position in the projections. Don't think that the
Trojans weren't steamed about their West-side
counterparts playing in the state title contest in
2002. That will serve as solid motivation for the
Trojans to avenge 2002's 34-18 setback at the hands of
the Senators. Ironton, meanwhile hasn't made a trip
to the state finals since heartbreak in 1999. But
despite the brainlock against Sandusky Perkins, Coach
Lutz is still a mainstay. It appears as though the
Tigers will have to beat the Trojans if they wish to
return to Stark County.
THE OPENING ACT: HURON, CLEVELAND VILLA-ANGELA ST.JOSEPH
DIVISION V
Last Year's Champion: Marion Pleasant
THE CHAMP: DELPHOS ST. JOHN'S
WHY: Todd Schulte doesn't like me. In 2001 I picked
the 'Jays to win the state title and they were bounced
by eventual state champ Marion Pleasant. I also
picked them in 2002 and even with the loss of their
premier running back, advanced to the state semis
where Smithville ended the run. Well I am going with
St. John's one more time. Matt Shumaker is
unbelievably hungry after his devastating injury last
season prior to the Marion Local game. Even without
Shumaker, quarterback Jesse Kill led his team as far
as they could get. St. John's is absolutely loaded,
and the DV title is theirs for the taking. In fact,
the OHSAA is letting them keep the trophy there until
Thanksgiving Weekend. Well that's perhaps a stretch
but this DSJ team looks that darn good.
THE UNDERCARD: BEDFORD ST. PETER CHANEL, MARION PLEASANT
WHY: The two undercards met as the main event just
two years ago. Chanel edged a scrappy Pleasant squad
that lost its leader two plays into the game. Though
Pleasant reached state championship status last year,
talent remains for Coach Kubbs to make another
interesting run in the playoffs. Chanel on the other
hand made a much better showing in last year's
playoffs than many expected. A 19-7 loss to the state
finalists wasn't too bad considering the team was led
by underclassmen. The 2003 Firebirds look almost as
potent as their 2001 friends, but not quite. Still,
the 'Birds look good enough to make a lot of noise in
the post-season.
THE OPENING ACT: AMANDA-CLEARCREEK, SMITHVILLE
DIVISION VI
Last Year's Champion: Mogadore
THE CHAMP: DOLA HARDIN NORTHERN
WHY: No team in the state inflicted more damage on
itself than the Polar Bears did. And they picked the
worst time and game to do it. No one at Fawcett
Stadium would have thought Hardin Northern entered the
game 14-0. They turned the football over six times,
and half of those came on Moggy's side of the field.
Although Coach Brunow lost an ace in Drew Snow, he
still has his son Clay, a 6'1 185-pound signal
caller. The Polar Bears look about as good on paper
as the St. John's Blue Jays, and the team that shocked
the state when it eliminated two-time state champ
Marion Local, looks poised to make a return visit to
"The Drip".
THE UNDERCARD: MONROEVILLE, MARION LOCAL
WHY: The Monroeville Eagles hung right with the state
champs last year at Finnie Stadium. In the end, it
was a 21-7 setback, but a lesson learned. Steve
Ringholz is one of the division's most veteran and
respected coaches, and he refuses to admit his team is
capable of making a long run. Funny how every time a
coach downplays his team's possibilities they are
playing in the state finals fifteen weeks later.
Marion Local fans faces' when leaving Alexander
Stadium in Piqua was eerie. Gone were those wide
grins and cheery faces that had rooted on their Flyers
in back-to-back state title games. They had
expressions of sheer disbelief. How could any team,
same region no less, end our hopes at a three-peat?
Well it happened. 26-16 on that dreary night in
Piqua. Local fans hadn't felt that way in a while.
Now some open spots need to be filled, but the Flyers
are still arguably the divisions biggest team. That
at least translates into a rematch with Hardin
Northern.
THE OPENING ACT: MOGADORE, NEWARK CATHOLIC
2003 OHIO MR. FOOTBALL AWARD: RB - ANTONIO PITTMAN, AKRON BUCHTEL
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the
following contributors. Without their insight and
assistance, this project would not have been possible.
Brandon Nichols - Northeast Region
Jesse Swafford - Southwest Region
Brent Burris - Northwest Region
Dan Warner
Craig Bell
And many others who spoke on the condition of
anonymity.
