Division II State Title Contenders

<strong>Archbishop Hoban</strong> Hoban finished last fall with an 11-2 record and look to take it one step further this fall. Their two losses were by a combined four points, one of which was to State Runner-Up Massillon Washington. The knights will be led by senior Wisconsin commit [player_tooltip player_id="34198" first="Darryl" last="Peterson"]; senior Rutgers commit [player_tooltip player_id="34237" first="Brayden" last="Fox"] &amp; senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="34219" first="Damon" last="Ollison"]. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id="34355" first="Alvin" last="Stallworth"], a quick-footed corner with loose hips. Their week one game at New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco should be a fun one. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="483"]<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESJdl80WoAMhfsH?format=jpg&amp;name=large" alt="Image" width="483" height="298" /> DE [player_tooltip player_id="34198" first="Darryl" last="Peterson"][/caption] <strong>Washington</strong> Last year’s State Runner-Ups are loaded yet again. Truthfully, I think it’s very possible that we see the exact same State Championship game as last season. The Tigers finished 14-1 and could be the biggest threat to dethrone La Salle. Senior wide receiver &amp; Ohio State commit [player_tooltip player_id="34182" first="Jayden" last="Ballard"] is back, as is Pittsburgh offensive line commit Terrence Rankl, West Virginia wide receiver commit [player_tooltip player_id="34190" first="Andrew" last="Wilson-Lamp"], Four-star running back [player_tooltip player_id="34199" first="Kyree" last="Young"] &amp; much more. Transfer linebacker Jumacius Porter, could end up being a breakout star for the Tigers. This team is scary talented and should enter the playoffs with a 10-0 record. I would not bet against seeing these guys in the State Title game. <strong>Wadsworth</strong> To me, Wadsworth is a bit of a sleeper team. They finished last fall at 9-3 before bowing out to Avon Lake in the second round. However, they bring back a slew of talented prospects. Senior’s [player_tooltip player_id="34191" first="Mitchell" last="Evans"] and Iowa State commit Carston Marshall will lead the charge. They have one of Ohio’s biggest sleepers prospects in speedy wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id="34338" first="Barret" last="Labus"]. I think they have a chance to get into the playoffs with at worst a 9-1 record, giving them much better positioning for a deeper playoff run. <strong>Toledo Central Catholic</strong> Consistency is the norm at Central Catholic, and I don’t expect this year to be any different. The Irish capped last fall with a 13-1 record and a State Semifinal birth. Coach Greg Dempsey is among the elite high school coaches in Ohio, and he could be looking at his fourth State Championship squad. Their 2020 team features Division one prospects: Jalen Riven, Tae’shaun Johnson &amp; Chris Jackson. Senior guard Chris Sennett is a kid whose stock could rise with a big senior season. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="281"]<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESoJqsJWoAEweEa?format=jpg&amp;name=large" alt="Image" width="281" height="422" /> LB Jalen Riven[/caption] <strong>La Salle</strong> Well, it looks like the Lancers are loaded yet again, and are the favorite in Division II. After a 13-2 season last fall, that culminated in a 34-17 win over Washington in the State Championship game, La Salle looks to defend their title. One of the best running backs in the country returns in junior Gi’Bran Payne, as does Ohio State linebacker commit [player_tooltip player_id="34187" first="Jaylen" last="Johnson"] and Alabama defensive back commit [player_tooltip player_id="34185" first="Devonta" last="Smith"]. Offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="34464" first="Paul" last="Haywood"] should see his offer list grow with a big junior season. It looks like business as usual at La Salle.