Division III Football Overview: Ohio's toughest Division?

Akron Hoban (9-5)

Hoban reached the state semifinals in Division II last season before falling to eventual state champion Sylvania Southview 31-0. It was the first postseason appearance for Hoban since 2005, which was the last season of an eight-year playoff berth run.

This season, Hoban drops back down to Division III after four seasons in Division II.

“Division III has always been a strong division in the state of Ohio year in and year out. As far as that goes, it is not going to get any easier,” head coach Ralph Orsini said.

Hoban loses the bulk of its offensive production from last season as WR/DB Brian Courdriet, WR/DB Ryan Ross, RB/DB Xavier Kirksey-Ivery, RB/DE Lawrence Wynn and FB/LB Travis Howe each step into starting roles.

“I think we have enough people coming back where we have a chance of being a real good ball team. One area we really need to address early is the inexperience factor.”

Guiseppe Frisone, Greg McMullen, Stephan Veillette and Norm Jesser will be the anchor on defense at the linebacking positions.

“Defensively, we ought to be a pretty good ball team,” Orsini said.

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (7-3)

Heading into the final week of the regular season last year, SVSM needed a win over Ursuline to earn a playoff berth but the Fighting Irish fell to the eventual Division V state champ to keep them out.

SVSM will look to its defense early this fall while some younger players gain experience on offense.

“It was interesting, I thought at the beginning of last year our strength was going to be our defense but we lost three kids with season ending injuries,” head coach Dan Boarman said. “We had to play a bunch of younger kids.

“I think we’re going to be pretty strong defensively. If our offensive line comes around, we could have a pretty good offense, too.”

OL/DL Bryan Ausperk and RB/LB Brian Foster are Division I college caliber players and will lead a senior group that last made the postseason in 2007.

“We’re working hard,” said Boarman. “It is a great senior class backed up by a good sophomore and junior class and I am looking forward to the season.”

Beloit West Branch (5-5)

The bulk of West Branch’s offense returns in the backfield with Mike Smith under center and Mark Smith toting the ball for the Warriors.

Mike Smith was 123-of-217 passing for 1,811 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Mark Smith had 71 carries for 507 yards and four touchdowns.

“Other than them, we’re going to have to rely on some young skill guys in the skill positions,” head coach Bob Altenhof said. “There are some unproven guys so that is concerning.”

Defensively, Brad Ferguson, John Wilson and Seth Guy will lead the charge up front.

“We’re just hoping to improve,” Altenhof said. “We got off to a good start last year but then (the Northeastern Buckeye Conference) was really, really good last year and we ended up staggering to the finish. We hope to get off to another fast start but we hope to maintain it this season in the conference but it will be a challenge. ”

The Warriors last made the playoffs in 2007 and have made its four times since 2000.

Hubbard (9-3)

Hubbard has been flying high since alumnus and third-year head coach Brian Hoffman took over.

The Eagles are aiming to make the playoffs for the fourth straight season and have only missed the playoffs twice since 1999.

Hubbard will have the talent at the skill positions to get them off the ground early.

Andre Givens rushed for 1,433 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and Kurtis Drummond had 16 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he had 49 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions as a cornerback.

Both are Division I college prospects with scholarship offers in hand.

“(Givens and Drummond) are outstanding athletes but the other guys are going to have to come together and elevate their games in order for our team to continue to make strides this season,” said Hoffman.

Matt Shelton started six games under center in 2008 following the injury to then-senior Sam Bellino but Chase Myers will make his case for the job this season as well.

“I like what both (quarterbacks) bring to the table,” said Hoffman. “That is definitely one of the areas we are going to be looking at hard in the preseason. To be honest, the one that starts the first game will be the one that shows me the most leadership and that is what we are looking forward to.”

Dom Dionisio will anchor the line on offense for the returning skill positions.

“We feel good about building a line around Dom and feel we have some underclassmen that will hopefully help us with that,” Hoffman said.

Notre Dame Cathedral Latin (5-6)

In the two seasons prior to head coach Byron Morgan showing up at NDCL, the Lions were a combined 5-15. Since then, NDCL is 11-10 in two campaigns including the third playoff berth in school history last season. The Lions fell to eventual state champ Aurora in the first round and are looking to take the next step in 2009.

“After getting into the state playoffs last season, we look to return even though (Region 9) is very strong,” said Morgan, who has a 211-86-3 record.

Play in the trenches should be strong early on, according to Morgan.

“The offensive line and defensive line should be very strong and the team as a whole has had a great offseason,” he said.

Terry Smith started two games at quarterback last season as a sophomore winning both. The starting job will come down to him and senior Ben Smith.

Poland Seminary (9-3)

Poland has the opportunity to make history this season.

The Bulldogs have the potential to make the playoffs for the third straight season – a feat never accomplished at the school.

“For (the seniors), their personal goal is to be the first class to make the playoffs three years in a row and that is one of their primary motivations,” head coach Mark Brungard said.

Luke Wollet will lead the offense out of the backfield after rushing for over 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. He also had three interceptions on defense and has offers to Eastern Michigan, Kent State and the Virginia Military Institute.

With Trey Lidle under center for the first time, Brungard said Wollett will be the catalyst on offense early on.

“We’ll ride that horse as long as we can,” he said. ”With those situations you try to break those guys in efficiently and special teams become more important. Our defense will give us a chance.”

Poland moves in from Region 11 this season.

Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (9-3)

Mooney has been one of the top programs in the state regardless of Division over the last several years winning two state titles since 2004.

After reaching the regional finals last season in D- IV, the Cardinals make the jump up to D-III.

Mooney returns eight starters on offense and defense led by a solid nucleus of seniors.

“As any other successful Mooney team, senior leadership is key,” head coach P.J. Fecko said. “The seniors are a very close group and might be the hardest working senior group we have had at Mooney in years.”

Mooney will be strong in the backfield with Braylon Heard, Vinaopal and Griffin toting the ball. Donald D’Alesio and George Lyras provide athleticism at wideout and in the secondary.

Team speed will also be key.

“This is not only the hardest working group but also by far the fastest group we have ever had,” Fecko said.

Buchtel drops from D-II and is looking for its first postseason berth since 2005. Despite the drought, the Griffins have made the playoffs five times since 2000.

Six-time state champion Cleveland Benedictine is a dismal 13-27 the last four seasons and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2005. OL Simon Cvijanvic (6-5, 240, Sr.) is a Division I college prospect.

Mogadore Field (8-3)

Field made the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2007 and returned last season. Now, the Falcons are looking to swoop in on their first postseason win in 2009.

Parma Padua Franciscan (8-3)

The Bruins are on the hunt for their third straight playoff berth behind TE/DE Anthony Stryffeler (6-4, 220, Sr.), who is a Ball State recruit. QB Nick Kaszei (5-11, 175, Sr.) and FS James Flowers (6-4, 210, Sr.) also return.

Streetsboro (7-3)

The Rockets finished with a respectable record last season but didn’t earn enough points to make their first playoff appearance since 1992 finishing No. 10 in Region 9.

Akron Coventry (3-7), Akron Springfield (0-10), Ashtabula Edgewood (0-10), Bay Village Bay (2-8), Hunting Valley University School (4-5), Cleveland East (0-10), Cleveland East Tech (1-9), Conneaut (4-6), Jefferson Area (2-8), Mantua Crestwood (3-7), Medina Buckeye (6-4), Niles McKinley (2-8), Norton (2-8), Oberlin Firelands (2-8), Parma Heights Holy Name (4-6), Pepper Pike Orange (4-6), Struthers (2-8), Warrensville Heights (2-8)