THE TOP PREP TEAMS TO WATCH IN OHIO IN 2026
By Kyle Holsinger
Thanks for reading our fourth installment in the seven article series.
Last season, I picked three-of-four correctly in Division IV and I picked Glenville to win it all. One of the better performances in any division.
County: Cuyahoga.
Enrollment: 233.
Nickname/Mascot: Tarblooders.
Colors: Red & Black.
Conference: Senate League.
Head Coach: Ted Ginn Sr. (30th at Glenville, 276-69).
Last Season: 12-3; D-4 state champions, Region 13 champions, and Senate champions.
Class of 2027: 36-10 (.783); two state titles; three state semifinals appearances; and three Senate titles.
Toughest Opponent: Sept. 11 at Columbus Bishop Watterson.
Key Games: Aug. 21 at Massillon Washington; Sept. 4 vs. Clarkson (ON) Mississauga Football North; and Oct. 9 at Akron Archbishop Hoban.
2025 Region 13 Final: Glenville defeated Perry, 35-7, at Ravenna High School Portage Community Bank Stadium/Harry Gilchrist Field.
Team Preview: Junior Jaylen Edwards was honorable mention All-Ohio as a defensive back last season. Helping out in the defensive backfield is junior free safety Jaquan Gibson—who was honorable mention all-district a year ago.
Linebacker Kaylon Bailey is a three-star recruit committed to Colorado who earned honorable mention all-district accolades a season ago. Fellow linebacker Da’Von McDougle is a James Madison-commit who made honorable mention all-district in 2025.
Athlete DeAnthony Crittenden is a three-star recruit. On the offensive line, Eason Hankins is a Kent State-commit who also made honorable mention all-district.
County: Erie.
Enrollment: 228.
Nickname/Mascot: Pirates.
Colors: Black & White.
Conference: Northern Ohio Conference - Lake Division.
Head Coach: Jalen Santoro (7th at Perkins, 57-19).
Last Season: 9-4; Region 14 semifinalists, and Sandusky Bay Conference Lake champions.
Class of 2027: 35-7 (.833); three SBC Lake titles.
Toughest Opponent: Sept. 11 at Galion.
Key Games: Aug. 28 at Lexington; Sept. 4 vs. Bellevue; and Oct. 9 vs. Ontario.
2025 Region 14 Final: Shelby beat Galion, 41-7, at Mansfield Arlin Field.
Team Preview: The Pirates begin a new era in the NOC Lake. Although, it’s the same division as the previous conference—the Sandusky Bay Conference.
Senior DBs Kaden Legando (20 tackles, six INTs, and a defensive TD) and Bryce Davie (34 tackles and five INTs) were second and third team All-Ohio a year ago, respectively. Linebacker Landon Flores (128 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble) was honorable mention all-district, and Levi Jackson (48 tackles and an INT) was honorable mention All-SBC Lake.
Jackson was the team’s leading rusher last year with 531 yards and nine TDs on 90 carries.
On the offensive end, Davie and junior JoJo Moore were honorable mention All-SBC Lake as a running back and as a defensive back a season ago. Moore ran for 524 yards and seven TDs; had 53 receiving yards with a TD; and made 58 tackles, one INT, one sack, a defensive TD, and one forced fumble and recovery.
Law Davlin appears to be the heir apparent at QB after replacing an injured Sam Schweinfurth last year. Davlin threw 8-for-11 passing for 89 yards and two TDs while also rushing for 119 yards and a TD as a sophomore. Legando and Conner Smith are the team’s leading returning receivers with Legando making 17 catches for 375 yards and 11 TDs while Smith grabbed 19 receptions for 388 yards and four TDs. Smith also made 25 tackles, three INTs, and had two defensive TDs in 2025 as well.
County: Tuscarawas.
Enrollment: 212.
Nickname/Mascot: Braves.
Colors: Red & Blue.
Conference: Inter-Valley Conference - South Division.
Head Coach: Matt Lancaster (20th at Indian Valley, 135-68).
Last Season: 12-1; D-4 state semifinalists; Region 15 champions, and IVC South champions.
Class of 2027: 37-5 (.881); one state title; two state semifinals appearances, and two IVC South titles; and one IVC South runner-ups.
Toughest Opponent: Sept. 18 vs. Steubenville.
Key Games: Aug. 21 vs. Uniontown Green; Sept. 25 at West Lafayette Ridgewood; and Oct. 9 at Sugarcreek Garaway.
2025 Region 15 Final: Indian Valley defeated New Lexington, 34-0, at Coshocton High School Stewart Field.
Team Preview: Braves QB Ryker Williams completed 64-of-93 passes for 1,283 yards, 15 TDs, and six picks while also carrying the ball 87 times for 615 yards and 10 TDs—good enough for first team All-Ohio recognition. Carsen Hostetler made honorable mention All-Ohio as a tight end after catching 10 passes for 252 yards and four TDs last season. Colt James and Reese St. Clair, an honorable mention all-district pick, also were top targets also of Williams’ with James making 18 receptions for 361 yards and six TDs; and St. Clair grabbing 15 balls for 359 yards and five TDs.
James was also honorable mention All-Ohio as a kicker.
Wing back Bradley Barr was second team all-district after having 12 carries for 68 yards and two TDs.
On the O-line, Brogan Wilson was honorable mention All-Ohio.
Defensively, Titan Peterman made honorable mention All-Ohio after having 46 tackles, 13 TFL, eight sacks, and a forced fumble and recovery. Brett O’Connor made 98 tackles, six TFL, five PBUs, three sacks, two INTs, and a forced fumble.
Williams also had 62 tackles, a team-leading 16 TFL, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a pass deflection. St. Clair had 73 tackles, 10 PBUs, two INTs, and a fumble recovery. Hostetler made 49 tackles, 26 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, two picks, and a TFL.
Boston Braun garnered 14 tackles, two PBUs, and two INTs a year ago.
County: Madison.
Enrollment: 228.
Nickname/Mascot: Red Raiders.
Colors: Red & White.
Conference: Central Buckeye Conference - Kenton Trail Division.
Head Coach: Kyle Cutler (13th at London, 99-39).
Last Season: 12-1; Region 12 runner-ups; and CBC Kenton Trail champions.
Class of 2027: 37-3 (.925); one state semifinals appearance, one regional runner-up, and three CBC Kenton Trail titles.
Toughest Opponent: Sept. 11 vs. Lewiston Indian Lake.
Key Games: Aug. 28 at Arcadia (IN) Hamilton Heights; Sept. 18 at St. Paris Graham; and Oct. 9 at Plain City Jonathan Alder.
2025 Region 16 Final: Cincinnati Indian Hill beat Germantown Valley View, 41-14, at Fairfield High School Alumni Stadium.
Team Preview: Running back Bryston Toronto earned second team all-district honors last season after toting the rock 88 times for 787 yards and 15 TDs. Running back Daquanne Parks was second team All-Ohio in 2024. In 2025, Parks rushed for 647 yards and 13 TDs on 78 touches. On the line, Bryce Peters was second team all-district, and Brody Howard made honorable mention all-district.
Kicker Eli Noble earned second team all-district accolades. Noble was 6-for-6 on field goals with a long of 38 yards last year while making 50-of-53 PATs.
Defensively, LB Isaiah Near, second team all-district, had 68 tackles, 15.5 TFL, eight deflections, four sacks, three INTs, a fumble recovery, and a defensive TD. Defensive lineman Donovan Griggs was second team all-district after making 57 tackles, 15.5 TFL, six sacks, six PBUs, and an INT. Vance Moerch also had 85 tackles, 5.5 TFL, two deflections, a fumble recovery, a defensive TD, and 0.5 sack.
Jaydon Cooper (82 tackles, seven TFL, four PBUs, and one INT) and Royston Skaggs (20 tackles, 2.5 TFL, and 0.5 sack) both made honorable mention all-district. Dreux Prince made 24 tackles, two TFL, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery as a linebacker.
HEART OF OHIO SPORTS PREP PIGSKIN PREVIEW
DIVISION I - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-i-2026/
DIVISION II - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-ii-2026/
DIVISION III - https://heartofohiosports.com/heart-of-ohio-sports-prep-pigskin-preview-division-iii-2026/
DIVSION 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/
