THE TOP OHIO PREP FOOTBALL TEAMS TO WATCH IN 2025: DIVISION II EDITION
By Kyle Holsinger
Welcome back everyone for the beginning of the 2025 high school football season. I’m excited to get back on the sidelines to cover some games in the coming weeks.
During the season, I do not make any picks or predictions publicly in case I end up getting sent to cover that game on short notice. That being said, the following series of articles are my preseason predictions to win all 28 regions, and my picks for state champions in each of the seven divisions in OHSAA 11-man football this season. There will be seven articles—one for every OHSAA division.
At the end of each division’s predictions, I will list my state champion pick along with some contender and dark horse schools that were not picked as regional champions that could hoist the state championship trophy at the end of the 2025 season.
I also want to preface that it was difficult to gauge some non-Ohio opponents for these schools. So, if I wasn’t sure then I didn’t consider them for a team’s toughest opponent or key game. Some schools’ schedules were so difficult that it was eenie, meanie, miney, moe as to who their toughest opponent was actually.
I hope all of the schools in the state have a healthy and sportsmanlike year, and at the end of the season, we’ll recap and see how close I ended up on these picks.
All recruiting information is thanks to 247Sports.com.
DIVISION III
REGION 9: Ursuline
County: Mahoning.
Enrollment: 287.
Nickname/Mascot: Irish.
Colors: Green & Gold.
Head Coach: Dan Reardon (15th at Ursuline, 128-50; 22nd overall, 169-83).
Conference: Steel Valley Conference.
Last Season: 13-2; D-2 state semifinalist; Region 9 champion; SVC champion.
Class of 2026: 36-6 (.857); state semifinal appearance; three SVC titles; Region 9 runner-up.
Toughest Opponent: Oct. 10 vs. Walsh Jesuit.
Key Games: Aug. 22 @ Steubenville; Aug. 29 vs. Hartley; and Sept. 26 @ Austintown-Fitch.
2024 Region 9 Final: Ursuline defeated Gilmour Academy, 54-0, at Ravenna’s Portage Community Bank Stadium Harry Gilchrist Field.
Team Preview: The Irish have been in the Region 9 finals the previous two seasons, winning last year.
Ursuline expects big things from DeVonte Taylor, a 2024 Honorable Mention All-Ohio wide receiver who is a three-star prospect.
On the other side of the ball, the Irish have defensive lineman A.J. Snyder roaring to get back on the field after a second team all-district season a year ago.
Senior linebacker Kevin Boudrey was also a second team all-district selection for the Green & Gold.
REGION 10: Toledo Central Catholic
County: Lucas.
Enrollment: 377.
Nickname/Mascot: Fighting Irish.
Colors: Scarlet & Gray.
Head Coach: Greg Dempsey (26th at TCC, 268-54).
Conference: Catholic High School League - Central Division.
Last Season: 14-2; D-3 state runner-up; Region 10 champion; CHSL - Central runner-up.
Class of 2026: 45-3 (.938); two state titles, state runner-up, three state semifinal appearances.
Toughest Opponent: Sept. 5 vs. Detroit Catholic Central (MI).
Key Games: Aug. 22 vs. Walsh Jesuit; Sept. 19 vs. Warren (MI) De La Salle; and Oct. 24 Muskegon (MI) Mona Shores.
2024 Region 10 Final: Central Catholic beat Padua Franciscan, 45-7, at Sandusky’s Foundation Stadium.
Team Preview: TCC have won three straight regional titles: in Region 10 the previous two seasons after winning Division II, Region 6 in 2022.
The Fighting Irish and reigning Division III co-defensive player of the year Viktor Singleton are looking to get back to the state finals and win it after last season’s close loss to Watterson, 19-14. The four-star senior cornerback is a top 100 prospect in the nation that’s committed to play at Texas A&M.
Helping Singleton on defense is middle linebacker Gavin Eckhart, who was honorable mention all-district a year ago.
Offensively, the Scarlet & Gray return two tight ends that are D-I commits. Three-star prospect and All-Ohio honorable mention Preston Fryzel is committed to Notre Dame, and second team all-district pick Sharard Vaughn is committed to play for Toledo.
Senior offensive lineman and second team All-Ohio selection Zenaje Liggons has committed to play at Lafayette.
REGION 11: Bishop Watterson
County: Franklin.
Enrollment: 313.
Nickname/Mascot: Eagles.
Colors: Cardinal and Vegas Gold.
Head Coach: Brian Kennedy (9th at Watterson, 65-30).
Conference: Central Catholic League.
Last Season: 16-0; D-3 state champion.
Class of 2026: 42-4 (.913); state title; state runner-up; three CCL titles.
Toughest Opponent: Sept. 19 vs. Harvest Prep.
Key Games: Aug. 22 vs. Big Walnut; Sept. 26 @ Columbus DeSales; and Oct. 10 vs. Hartley.
2024 Region 11 Final: Watterson defeated Steubenville, 37-7, at New Philadelphia’s Quaker Stadium.
Team Preview: The Eagles return three-star prospect and first team All-Ohio QB Drew Bellisari. Drew is the son of former Ohio State and NFL linebacker Greg Bellisari, who is now a defensive coach for Watterson.
Blocking for Bellisari upfront will be first team All-Ohio Pete Eglitis. Eglitis is a three star recruit that’s committed to Iowa State.
Defensively, the Cardinal and Vegas Gold bring back second team All-Ohio junior defensive lineman Michael Boyle. Boyle’s classmate, Ben Uhlenhake was second team all-district as a linebacker a year ago.
Junior defensive backs Nate Henderson, Carter Bellisari, and Joe Hayes IV all received post-season accolades in 2024. Henderson was special mention all-district while Bellisari and Hayes were honorable mention all-district for their efforts.
Also a junior, defensive end Jack Schuler is coming off a sophomore year where he received honorable mention all-district.
Carter Bellisari is the son of former Ohio State quarterback and NFL safety Steve Bellisari. Steve is now an offensive coach at Watterson. Steve and Greg are brothers making Drew and Carter first cousins that are all a part of the Eagles family.
REGION 12: Badin
County: Butler.
Enrollment: 372.
Nickname/Mascot: Rams.
Colors: Green & White.
Head Coach: Nick Yordy (9th at Badin, 78-20).
Conference: Greater Catholic League - Co-Ed Division.
Last Season: 9-3; GCL - Co Ed champions; Region 8 quarterfinalists.
Class of 2026: 35-5 (.875); three GCL - Co-Ed titles; two Region 12 runner-ups.
Toughest Opponent: Aug. 22 @ Hamilton.
Key Games: Sept. 12 @ Columbus DeSales; Sept. 19 vs. Hartley; and Oct. 24 vs. McNicholas.
2024 Region 12 Final:, London beat Bellbrook, 13-0, at Springfield’s Wildcat Stadium.
Team Preview: The Rams move back down from Region 8 a year ago, they’ve reached the Region 12 finals the previous three seasons.
Badin senior QB Colt Emerson connected on 57.6% of his passes for 996 yards, 12 TDs, and six picks a year ago. Emerson’s leading target from 2024 returns also: James Brink. The senior grabbed 36 catches for 462 yards and eight TDs in his junior campaign.
Honorable mention All-Ohio selection Lem Grayson returns after rushing for 860 yards and 11 TDs for the Rams.
On defense, second team all-district selection at linebacker Trent Owens is back after 110 tackles, five TFL, and a fumble recovery a year ago. Fellow classmate Alex Albrinck is back after an honorable mention All-Ohio performance as a linebacker also.
In the secondary, Declan Brown returns after a team leading three INTs and five pass deflections in 2024.
Ben Sakach was honorable mention all-district for producing a 41.1 punting average on 54 punts a year ago. Sakach also had 10 catches for 95 yards.
PREDICTED DIVISION III CHAMPION: Toledo Central Catholic.
OTHER CONTENDERS: Steubenville, Tippecanoe, and Bloom-Carroll.
DARK HORSES: London, Archbishop Alter, and Wapakoneta.
Thanks for reading, and look for the other six divisions of previews for the upcoming 2025 at Heart of Ohio Sports!
DIVISION I https://heartofohiosports.com/the-top-ohio-prep-football-teams-to-watch-division-i/
DIVISION II https://heartofohiosports.com/the-top-ohio-prep-football-teams-to-watch-division-ii/
DIVISION III https://heartofohiosports.com/the-top-ohio-prep-football-teams-to-watch-division-iii/
DIVISION IV https://heartofohiosports.com/top-ohio-prep-football-teams-2025-division-iv/
DIVISION V https://heartofohiosports.com/the-top-ohio-prep-football-teams-to-watch-division-v/
DIVISION VI https://heartofohiosports.com/the-top-ohio-prep-football-teams-to-watch-division-vi/
DIVISION VII https://heartofohiosports.com/the-top-ohio-prep-football-teams-to-watch-division-vii/
