Steubenville, Mooney, DeSales, Watterson...the usual names will be there at the end in D-III. But, will one of them win it? And which one - if any - debuts at No. 1 in the D-III Power Poll?
JJHUDDLE'S DIVISON III PRESEASON POWER POLL
1. Columbus DeSales
The Stallions have a bad taste in their
mouths with the way that last season ended in the state finals. Time to
brush those teeth. This team is stacked as usual.
Opener: 8/27
@ Gahanna Lincoln
2. Wyoming
The Cowboys were close last year. And they return 13
starters, including standout QB Kyle Seyfried and DEs Tony Davis and
Eric Price. With Wyoming the question is why not?
Opener: 8/26
@ Edgewood
3. Steubenville
The Big Red had their string of undefeated regular seasons snapped at six last year. Tradition and talent are two tings this program isn’t short on. Another is LBs.
Opener: 8/26 vs Inkster (Michigan)
4. Youngstown Mooney
The Cardinals are the defending state champions and could very well carry that tag into next year as well. This year’s roster isn’t quite as star-studded as last year’s, but the goal remains the same. This program wreaks excellence.
Opener: 8/27 @ Pickerington North
5. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
The Irish want to make amends for
last year’s first round playoff exit. They also have one of the state’s
Top 5 players overall in DB Doran Grant.
Opener: 8/27 @
Watterson
6. Akron Hoban
The word that describes the Knights this year is
“potential.” If they reach what they’re capable of - watch out. Eight
returning starters on defense is a strength.
Opener: 8/26 vs
Akron Garfield
7. Poland
The Bulldogs made the regional finals last year and would like to go farther this fall. Expect highly-touted WR/KR/DB Darius Patton to get plenty of touches.
Opener: 8/26 vs Hubbard
8. Watterson
The Eagles are always contenders and last year made
the regional final before falling to rival DeSales. If not for a tricky QB situation, the Eagles would be ranked higher.
Opener: 8/27 vs Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
9. Columbus Eastmoor
Two years ago the Warriors surprised people with a run to the state finals. This year if they do it again senior star Ronald Tanner (Ohio State recruit) will have something to say about it.
Opener: 8/27 @ Columbus Northland
10. Dayton Chaminade-Julienne
The Eagles snapped a three-year playoff drought by making it last year. Now getting deeper than the first round is the goal – and very, very realistic.
Opener: 8/27 at Troy
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DIVISION I POWER POLL
DIVISION II POWER POLL
