OHSAA Division I football preseason rankings: Can St. Edward win its 4th straight in 2024? – cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — St. Edward became the first team to win three straight OHSAA Division I state championships in almost 30 years, when they achieved that feat last fall in Canton.
Their run under coach Tom Lombardo matched rival St. Ignatius, which won five straight from 1991 to ‘95. Could the Eagles continue their run and challenge that?
The back to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium begins Friday, Aug. 23 with Week 1 and concludes with the OHSAA state championships from Dec. 5-7.
Here are the favorites in this early preseason top 10 for Division I, which is bookended by those rivals:
10. St. Ignatius (3-9 last year): The Wildcats had a different look about them with Cody Haddad back from injury for the three weeks of the regular season and the playoffs, when they took Cincinnati St. Xavier to overtime before back-to-back wins and a four-point loss to Canton McKinley in the second round of the playoffs. Ryan Franzinger is in a better position for his second year at the helm of his alma mater, following Chuck Kyle’s 40-year run at the school. It starts up front with a now-seasoned offensive line, headlined by Power Five prospect Will Conroy. Haddad is a big play receiver and Ohio State commit at safety, while Grant Washington leads a power running game. The question is, who will play quarterback?
9. Cincinnati Princeton (12-1): The Vikings didn’t lose until last year’s Region 4 semifinals to Lakota East and bring back top defensive prospects Paul Nelson (a Cincinnati commit at linebacker), lineman Jaimion Olverson and cornerback Airriss Rosemond.
8. Huber Heights Wayne (7-4): Quarterback Tyrell Lewis made All-Ohio honorable mention last season, leading the Warriors to a first-round matchup with state finalist Springfield. This team is filled with college prospects, including three-star safety Jussiah Williams-West, Lewis, tight end Kamaurri Smith (Cincinnati commit) and wide receiver Teaunn Hunter (Kent State).
7. Canton McKinley (9-4): After a 7-1 start last season, the Bulldogs sputtered toward the end of last season in Stark County with losses to Canton GlenOak and rival Massillon. They rebounded to reach the Region 1 semifinals against state champion St. Edward. Senior linebacker Dante McClellan is a Missouri recruit and running back Nino Hill is a three-star prospect, as is defensive lineman Dior Garner. Edge rusher K’Vuone McNeal is another one to watch in Canton.
6. Mentor (7-4): With West Virginia commit Scotty Fox back at quarterback, the Cardinals have five Division I college prospects on their offense, including two receivers (Justen Hodge and Austin VanHuss) and two junior tackles (Landry Brede and JoJo LoDuca). All four of their losses were by three points or fewer, making Mentor a prime candidate for a breakout season.
5. Cleveland Heights (11-2): The Tigers edged their new Greater Cleveland Conference rival last year on a two-point conversion run by E’mere Atkins that decided their conference title. Atkins is back, as is Kentucky commit Marquise Davis as a favorite for Mr. Football. Power Five prospect Brandon Caesar is back at defensive end, too, leading one of Cleveland Heights’ strengths. The Tigers must go to Mentor this year, which could pose a challenge, but both of these teams are St. Edward’s top challengers in Region 1.
4. Lakota West (11-3): A Region 4 finalist, the Firebirds were shut out by Moeller to end an 11-game winning streak that followed an 0-2 start. Coach Tom Bolden’s program returns All-Ohio defensive lineman Eli Davis, 6-7 receiver Luka Gilbert, linebacker Grant Beerman (a three-star prospect like Gilbert) and Bowling Green offensive tackle commit Vincent Giordano. Junior linebacker Cam Thomas could be the star of this defense as a four-star prospect.
3. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (10-5): Last year’s Mr. Football winner, Jordan Marshall, is now at Michigan. The Crusaders, though, bring back All-Ohio quarterback Matt Ponatoski and receiver Jovan Love to lead their offense. Former Archbishop Hoban standout Micah Rice is now a senior safety for Moeller, which has him to lead its defense with 6-foot-6 edge rusher Jonah Hayes, younger brother of now-Los Angeles Lakers forward Jaxon Hayes and Virginia football player Jewett.
2. Springfield (10-6): The Wildcats’ strength starts up front for coach Maurice Douglass, who has All-Ohio defensive lineman Jackson Heims and offensive playmakers Zy’Aire Fletcher and receiver Jamil Miller. Four of Springfield’s five starters on the offensive line are back, as is senior quarterback Brent Upshaw. Like all of the powerhouses, they graduate big-play standouts each year. Last season, Aaron Scott was the big one, now at Ohio State as a cornerback. However, Springfield is in prime position for a third straight run to Canton.
1. St. Edward (15-1): While a historically strong offensive line is no more with tackle Ben Roebuck (Michigan) and twins Deontae and Devontae Armstrong (Ohio State) now in college, the Eagles’ nest is far from empty. Junior running back Brandon White emerged behind them with 1,913 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore. Senior linebacker Nate Gregory leads the defense with another strong secondary, which boasts another third-year starter in Bradley Eaton. Senior quarterback Thomas Csanyi started more than half the season, including the playoffs, in place of injured Davidson recruit Casey Bullock. That should pay dividends for a team that still has two returning starters up front and at least two tackles poised to step into starting roles. St. Edward remains the favorite until a Division I team in Ohio can knock it off.
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on X (@mgoul), Threads (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com).
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