WHEELING — These days there doesn’t seem to be much that we can all agree upon. But one thing is for certain here in our little neck of the woods, the Ohio Valley. That’s the fact high school football always has and will be king.
There’s something special about this time of year, where hope springs eternal in every nook and cranny of this area. No matter our differences, football usually has a way of making those disappear for a few hours either on Friday or Saturday.
With that being said, we’re going to do our best to bring some dissension to the ranks by unveiling our inaugural Top 15 preseason rankings. It should be noted that this isn’t going to be your ordinary list, which will be updated on a weekly basis throughout the season.
For starters, our list is not broken down into Big School and Small School portions. It’s a one-size-fits-all endeavor. And it has way less to do with ‘Could Team A Beat Team B?’ because as we all know around here, that generally puts Steubenville at the top of the heap to stay. And really, what fun is that?
Our version is going to be more based on who each team has coming back, the fairness of their schedule and ability to make a deep postseason run.
So with that in mind, here comes the initial list. Please feel free to agree or disagree, but regardless let’s start the conversation … and the season!
#1
St. Clairsville
Brett McLean has the St. Clairsville program to the point where it’s no longer about whether it will make the playoffs each season, but will there be a high seed and a playoff berth waiting at the end of the line? Once again this season, the answer to both those questions appears to be a resounding ‘yes.’
Coming off a 9-1 season that saw the Red Devils advance to the Ohio Division IV, Region 15 title contest, things again look to be headed in that direction. It all begins Friday night when St. Clairsville opens at Carrollton.
Senior Drew Sefsick (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) steps in at quarterback to lead an offense that averaged better than 30 points a game and returns with most of its firepower intact.
But how good Sefsick and the skill players will be, is going to be up to an offensive line that is big and experienced. Senior Avery Henry (6-7, 230) is the leader and has already committed to play Division-I football for Iowa State.
Colin Oberdick is back as the team’s leading receiver.
St. Clairsville figures to be nasty on the defensive side of the ball, where it returns just about everybody from a solid group. Add it all up, and it appears McLean and company are headed for another banner season.
#2
Steubenville
Coach: Reno Saccoccia
Player to Watch: Rodney James Jr.
Top Game: Olentangy Liberty
Prediction: Win 9, Lose 1
Shawn Says: “Big Red is probably a year away but that equals a one-loss season, right? Those are the expectations — and generally results — for Steubenville. As always they’re going to be big, strong, fast and dominant. That opening game is one that many across the state of Ohio will be following closely.”
#3
Wheeling Central
Coach: Mike Young
Player to Watch: Michael Toepher
Top Game: at St. Clairsville
Prediction: Win 6, Lose 3
Shawn Says: “Maroon Knights are still seeking a 10th game, with only two games scheduled against in-state opponents. It’s a daunting slate, but as always the goal is to reach the playoffs — regardless of seed — and they will be a problem.”
#4
Shadyside
Coach: Mark Holenka
Player to Watch: Rhys Francis
Top Game: at Wheeling Central
Prediction: Win 8, Lose 2
Shawn Says: “The Shadyside machine keeps chugging right down the track. The schedule again features a Who’s Who of local matchups that will fill stadiums on a weekly basis. Offensively the Tigers are going to score with anyone, and they’ll be their usual nasty selves on the other side of the ball.”
#5
Wheeling Park
Coach: Chris Daugherty
Player to Watch: Brett Phillips
Top Game: at Steubenville
Prediction: Win 7, Lose 3
Shawn Says: “Covid-19 cut what was sure to be a long playoff run short last season, and Park has to replace the majority of its offense from that group. The hope is an experienced defense will hold the Patriots in it against what is a brutal early season schedule. They’ll get better as the season goes on.”
#6
Harrison Central
Coach: Anthony Hayes
Player to Watch: Trevor Carman
Top Game: at St. Clairsville
Prediction: Win 7, Lose 3
Shawn Says: “Most think the Huskies will take a step back following the graduation of Kobe Mitchell, and that’s a legitimate concern. But the cupboard is far from bare. Harrison Central is still going to be explosive and has what looks to be a good chance of playing in the postseason.”
#7
Linsly
Coach: B.J. Depew
Player to Watch: Luca DiLorenzo
Top Game: at Steubenville
Prediction: Win 5, Lose 5
Shawn Says: “The Cadets may be top-to-bottom one of the most talented teams in the valley. The problem is, the record may not show it simply because this season’s schedule includes one hammer after another. If they can make things break their way here or there, this could be a special team.”
#8
Bellaire
Coach: Mark Spigarelli
Player to Watch: Colt Sechrest
Top Game: at Harrison Central
Prediction: Win 6, Lose 4
Shawn Says: “Coach Spigarelli has done a tremendous job getting the program back on the right track. And with guys like Sechrest holding it down, the Big Reds are going to continue to build. The schedule isn’t easy by any means, and that will make for some stumbles. But Bellaire will be in the hunt all season.”
#9
River
Coach: Mike Flannery
Player to Watch: Brody Longwell
Top Game: at Shadyside
Prediction: Win 7, Lose 3
Shawn Says: “If we know anything about Flannery-coached teams, it’s that they are going to give it everything they’ve got from the first snap to the final one for at least 10 straight weeks. This season won’t be any different. The Pilots do have plenty to replace as seven starters are gone from last season’s defense. Offensively, River will be young at some of its skill positions.”
#10
Union Local
Coach: Bernie Thompson
Player to Watch: Dakota Hess
Top Game: Bellaire
Prediction: Win 5, Lose 5
Shawn Says: “The Jets suffered three close losses last season, or the record would have looked a lot different. Thompson has the Jets headed in the right direction. The offensive line is going to determine a lot for Union Local, which is experienced at the skill positions.”
#11
Cameron
Coach: Tim Brown
Player to Watch: Colson Wichterman
Top Game: Magnolia
Prediction: Win 7, Lose 3
Shawn Says: “This could be a huge season for the Dragons, who bring back nearly everyone from last season. They’re experienced and relatively deep for a Class-A school. Cameron is going to be aggressive and if things break right, it has the ability to make a deep run in the postseason.”
#12
Indian Creek
Coach: Andrew Connor
Player to Watch: Sam Coleman
Top Game: Martins Ferry
Prediction: Win 6, Lose 4
Shawn Says: “Coach Connor enters his 19th season with a young group. The Redskins (3-5) are coming off their first non-winning season in 11 years. The experience lies up front on the offense line, which will be key in getting Creek back to its normal winning ways.”
#13
Oak Glen
Coach: Ted Arneault
Player to Watch: Buck Franklin
Top Game: at Keyser
Prediction: Win 7, Lose 3
Shawn Says: “After a pair of remarkable seasons that ended in a 20-2 record — the last concluding thanks to Covid — the Golden Bears have some reshuffling to do. However, Oak Glen returns what should be a stout defense that can hopefully hold the ship as the inexperienced offense finds its legs.”
#14
Barnesville
Coach: Blake Allen
Player to Watch: Jadyn Lucas
Top Game: at Union Local
Prediction: Win 6, Lose 4
Shawn Says: “There are certainly holes to fill as the Rocks try to replace a successful senior class. When Barnesville has the football, the offensive line figures to be a strength. The club also returns at least one starter at each level of its 4-4 defense.”
#15
John Marshall
Coach: Justin Kropka
Player to Watch: Alex Francis
Top Game: Wheeling Park
Prediction: Win 4, Lose 6
Shawn Says: “One of the most intriguing teams in the valley when you combine the youth with the addition of Kropka. The Monarchs lost a lot from last season, but are ready to build. A good early start could do wonders, if JM is able to make that happen.”
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