THE TOP PREP TEAMS TO WATCH IN OHIO IN 2026
By Kyle Holsinger
Thanks for coming back, and I wanted to add that I really appreciate you all taking the time to give me your feedback. This is the second season that we've done this preview, and each year I want to get closer to picking them all correct. We are less than three weeks away from Friday night lights again.
Also, Cleveland Glenville is listed on the OHSAA website as being in Division IV, and I have considered them for Region 13 of that division until the OHSAA declares otherwise. There is a great possibility that they move up a division or two, but I can't speculate on that as this point.
Last season, I correctly picked Avon and Cincinnati Anderson to win their regions--so two of four in Division II. I did correctly pick Avon to win it all in 2025.
Here we go...
County: Summit.
Enrollment: 464.
Nickname/Mascot: Warriors.
Colors: Maroon & Gold.
Conference: Independent.
Head Coach: Nick Alexander (8th season at Walsh Jesuit, 62-20).
Last Season: 11-2; D-2 state semifinalists; and Region 5 champions.
Class of 2027: 36-5 (.878); one state semifinal appearance; and two regional runner-ups.
Toughest Opponent: Oct. 16 vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson.
Key Games: Aug. 21 at Medina Highland; Sept. 4 vs. Toledo Central Catholic; and Sept. 25 vs. Akron Archbishop Hoban.
2025 Region 5 Final: Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit defeated Akron Archbishop Hoban, 35-7, at Bedford High School Bearcat Stadium.
Team Preview: Quarterback David Ternosky returns after a second team all-district effort as a junior, and defensive lineman Dario Jeras was honorable mention All-Ohio a season ago.
Playing one of the toughest schedules as an independent, I have to give the Warriors credit for taking all comers.
County: Lucas.
Enrollment: 428.
Nickname/Mascot: Fighting Irish.
Colors: Scarlet & Gray.
Conference: Catholic High School League - Central Division.
Head Coach: Greg Dempsey (27th at TCC; 279-59).
Last Season: 11-5; D-3 state runner-ups; Region 10 champions; and CHSL Central co-runner-ups.
Class of 2027: 41-7 (.854); one state title; two state runner-ups; three state semifinal appearances, one CHSL Central title, and two CHSL Central runner-ups.
Toughest Opponent: Oct. 3 at Novi (MI) Catholic Central.
Key Games: Sept. 4 at Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit; Sept. 25 at Jackson (MI) Lumen Christi Catholic; and Oct. 16 vs. Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s Prep.
2025 Region 6 Final: Avon beat Medina Highland, 36-19, at Brunswick High School Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium.
Team Preview: First team All-Ohio running back Jeremiah Fuller returns to anchor a tough Fighting Irish squad. Interior offensive lineman Jalen Webb is a three-star recruit committed to play at Cincinnati. Wideout Amari Eliano is a three-star recruit also.
On the other side of the ball, DL Chris Sanders and DB Keyon Robinson were honorable mention All-Ohio a year ago.
County: Stark.
Enrollment: 491.
Nickname/Mascot: Tigers.
Colors: Orange & Black.
Conference: Independent.
Head Coach: Nate Moore (12th at Massillon, 119-29; 17th overall, 161-50).
Last Season: 9-4; Region 7 runner-ups.
Class of 2027: 35-7 (.833); one state title; one state semifinals appearance; and two regional runner-ups.
Toughest Opponent: Sept. 18 at Lakewood St. Edward.
Key Games: Aug. 21 vs. Cleveland Glenville; Sept. 25 vs. Mississauga [ON] Clarkson Football North; and Oct. 24 at Canton McKinley.
2025 Region 7 Final: Sunbury Big Walnut defeated Massillon Washington, 27-21, at Zanesville High School Sulsberger Stadium.
Team Preview: First team All-Ohio running back Savior Owens returns after amassing 1,572 rushing yards and 21 TDs on 222 attempts a year ago. Owens is committed to play at Michigan State.
Massillon’s leading passer and receivers are back. Mandwell Patterson completed 112-of-174 passes for 1,415 yards, 19 TDs, and eight INTs. Giorgio Jackson Jr.,second team all-district as a tight end, caught 43 passes for 533 yards and eight TDs. Deontay Malone, a second team All-Ohio selection on defense that’s committed to Ohio State, caught 34 balls for 498 yards and seven TDs in 2025.
On the O-line, Dayvionne Floyd was second team all-district last season as a junior.
Brothers Brayton and Brydon Feister transfer from Akron Archbishop Hoban. Senior Brayton was a first team All-Ohio selection who is also a four-star prospect while junior Brydon made honorable mention All-Ohio a season ago.
Defensively, Malone had 39 tackles, six PBUs, three INTs, 1.5 TFL, and a forced fumble and recovery. Also in the defensive backfield, second team all-district player Braylon Gamble wrangled 46 tackles, seven PBUs, 3.5 TFL, three INTs, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Gamble is committed to play at Boston College.
Defensive tackle Marcus Garner Jr. returns after making 18 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and a PBU after earning honorable mention all-district accolades a year ago. Linebacker Isaac Maxheimer—a 2025 second team all-district pick—made 69 tackles, 10 TFL, three sacks, three interceptions, two PBUs, and two fumble recoveries.
County: Hamilton.
Enrollment: 414.
Nickname/Mascot: Raptors.
Colors: Orange & Black.
Conference: Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
Head Coach: Evan Dreyer (11th at Anderson, 99-29; 18th overall, 143-57).
Last Season: 14-1; D-2 state runner-ups; Region 8 champions; and ECC champions.
Class of 2027: 42-4 (.913); two state runner-ups; three state semifinals appearance; two ECC titles; and one ECC runner-ups.
Toughest Opponent: Aug. 21 at Louisville (KY) Trinity.
Key Games: Sept. 11 at Lebanon; Sept. 18 vs. Kings Mills Kings; and Oct. 16 vs. Cincinnati Winton Woods.
2025 Region 8 Final: Cincinnati Anderson beat Trotwood-Madison, 38-7, at West Chester Lakota West High School Firebird Stadium.
Team Preview: Raptor senior QB Owen Scalf went 407-for-564 passing for 4,961 yards, 41 TDs, and 10 INTs a season ago while rushing 164 times for 677 yards and an additional eight TDs—good enough to named first team All-Ohio. Also returning to the rushing attack is Scalf’s classmate and first team All-Ohio selection Jordan Davis. A year ago, Davis carried the ball 145 times for 674 yards and 21 TDs.
Wideout Tysin Weaver caught 91 passes for 1,375 yards and 20 TDs on his way to a first team All-Ohio selection a season ago. Cooper Kathman also returns after making 90 receptions for 1,158 yards and eight TDs. Tegan Jallick caught 78 balls for 920 yards and six TDs.
On the O-line, Teagan Haretuku received second team all-district recognition last season.
Defensively, Antwoine Higgins made 67 tackles, 8.5 TFL, four PBUs, three sacks, and two interceptions on his way to first team All-Ohio accolades. Ace Alston, also a first team All-Ohio pick a year ago, made 53 tackles, 17 PBUs, two TFL, two INTs, one fumble recovery, and 0.5 sack. Higgins is committed to play at Kentucky, and Alston is committed to Notre Dame.
Coach Evan Dreyer was district coach of the year in 2025.
HEARTS OF OHIO SPORTS PREP PIGSKIN PREVIEW
DIVISION I - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-i-2026/
DIVISION III - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-iii-2026/
DIVISION IV - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-iv-2026/
DIVISION V - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-v-2026/
DIVISION VI - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-vi-2026/
DIVISION VII - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-vIi-2026/
