It might be June, but football season is quickly approaching. So there's no better time to start looking at the potential teams that will be in the mix for the Division 5, Region 19 title.
Below is a short list of the teams to look for as top contenders in the 2024 season. Some of the teams listed should come as no surprise to many, but it's worth trying to take an look into what teams are projected to return on both sides of the ball and what could potentially be each teams' key game this fall.
Of course all these analysis are subject to change, especially when you factor in possible late-summer transfers, coaching changes, and injuries in this new era of high school athletics.
(teams listed alphabetically)
BARNESVILLE SHAMROCKS (2023 Record: 12-1, regional semifinalist)
Barnesville has a lot to be optimistic about heading into 2024. Despite being a young team last season, the Shamrocks rolled through the regular season undefeated before falling to Wheelersburg in the regional semifinals. While the Shamrocks lost some key playmakers from last years team, they return plenty of experience in 2024.
KEY RETURNERS: Among the skill players returning are senior QB Casey Carpenter, sophomore FB Trey Tolliver and senior TE Camden Carpenter. However, the key to Barnesville success will lie on the returning starters on the offensive line of seniors Braden Butler and Marshall Meade, junior Dillon Lucas, and Sophomore Christien Hannahs.
Barnesville plays a lot of players both ways, so from a defensive standpoint, the personnel on the defensive line will mirror that of the offense. The front seven will be rounded out with the return of Casey Carpenter and juniors Hines Ford and Logan Craker at linebacker. And while Camden Carpenter returns in the secondary, the Shamrocks will need to fill in some gaps from graduation losses.
KEY GAME: at Fort Frye (August 23)
While it is unusual to put a lot of stock in a week 1 game, this one will have a lasting effect on both teams for the remainder of the season. The amount of computer points at stake could have huge implications on the Shamrocks seeding come playoff time. And to top it off, this one will be played in enemy territory.
FAIRLAND DRAGONS (2023 Record: 9-2, playoff qualifier)
The Dragons posted a 9-1 regular season record, but fell victim to an upset by Portsmouth in the playoffs. This year Fairland will look to make bigger strides under coach Michael Jackson in his second season.
The Dragons will have to replace some big playmakers on both sides of the ball, but the cupboard is hardly bare in 2024. The schedule will even see some more challenging opponents this fall and hopefully pay dividends come November.
KEY RETURNERS: Fairland has a big hole to fill at the quarterback position this fall. But there won't be a shortage of talent around the new signal caller in 2024. With the likes of seniors WR Keegan Smith, WR Jack Hayden, WR/RB Kam Kitts, and RB Quentin Cremeans, the offense should have plenty of firepower.
The Dragon defense did lose some key players to graduation, but still have a good stock of returning starters. The front seven will be headed by seniors Garrett Cornwell and Ethan Stewart up front, and Will Callicoat and Cremeans at linebacker. And the defensive backfield will have a solid core of returners with Smith, Hayden, and Kitts
KEY GAME: vs. Ironton (October 11)
Even though it's now just a non-conference game, this match-up could prove to be a big measuring stick for Fairland as they get ready for the post season. It's also not out of the realm of possibility that this could be the first of a two-game series between these teams in 2024.
HARVEST PREP WARRIORS (2023 Record: 12-2, regional champion)
The Warriors made huge strides in 2023 by winning the programs first-ever regional championship. Now Prep has to do something they've never done before, which is defend a regional title. And despite graduation losses, the Warriors could do that in 2024.
Prep is very much a wild card in this region because — unlike the rest of the teams mentioned here — they have the ability to make necessary roster additions in a metropolitan area, so getting a firm outlook of them in 2024 could remain a mystery up until the season begins.
KEY RETURNERS: Prep will need to replace a lot of spots on the offense this fall, especially at quarterback. But whoever does take over the signal calling, will still have senior RB Lenny Wicks and five offensive lineman and anchored by senior Ezecheil Teshome.
Defensively, the Warriors lost some major playmakers to graduation, but still have some key returners like junior LB Dezmond Porter, senior DL Christian Anthony and senior DB Shavez Watkins. But it's worth noting again, this roster could have plenty of changes between now and week 1.
KEY GAME: at Cincinnati La Salle (October 18)
Even though Prep has an huge test on opening night with Pickerington Central, this week 9 game will be the one that let's the rest of Division 5 know how much of a contender the Warriors will be come postseason time.
IRONTON FIGHTING TIGERS (2023 Record: 11-2, regional semifinalist)
For most programs, getting to 11 wins in a season is an accomplishment, but 2023 was disappointing for the Fighting Tigers.
For all intent and purposes, this region is Ironton's to lose in 2024. Not only do the Fighting Tigers return possibly the largest contingent of starters on both sides of the ball, but they also have a long list of athletes with potential scholarship offers that rivals most all D-1 and D-2 rosters in the state of Ohio.
KEY RETURNERS: Ironton's offense will have plenty of weapons returning in 2024. Senior WR Shaun Terry will be flanked by several other playmakers like Junior RB Zayne Williams, senior QB Braden Schreck, and the Tigers also picked up senior transfer RB D'edrick Graves to add to the mix.
The defensive front seven has some spots to fill heading into 2024. But there's still plenty there to work with like senior DL Aiden Layne, senior DL Jesse Copas, and senior LB Austin Bump. The defensive backfield should be solidified and lead by seniors Josh Johnson, Schreck, and Terry.
KEY GAME: vs. Bishop Hartley (September 20)
The last time Ironton saw the Hawks, they were still a D-5 team in 2013 and Hartley won 54-0. Now Hartley is in D-4 and still as competitive as before. This game is stuck in the middle of a tough 7-game slate of non-OVC teams and could be the best indicator of where this team will be or needs to get before week 11.
NELSONVILLE-YORK BUCKEYES (2023 Record: 8-4, Div. 6 regional quarterfinalist)
Nelsonville-York returns to the region after playing in Division 6 since the 2017 season. They were a young team last year but still managed an 8-4 record and a playoff win. Which is a good year in anyone's book.
One good thing about being a young team is you get to bring back a lot of starters from the previous season. But the players the Buckeyes lost to graduation were some of it biggest contributors from 2023. Luckily for Nelsonville, they have the right kind of returners to get the job done and compete in the region.
KEY RETURNERS: The Buckeyes will need to find a new quarterback this fall. But whoever gets the job will have a wealth of key returnees on the offensive side of the ball. At the skill positions will be junior WR Alec Thompson and sophomore RB Walker Stone. Nelsonville will also be returning all of its offensive linemen and they're all upperclassmen (seniors Brennon Tomlin, Brennon Tomlin, and Carson Szoke and juniors Will Odentha and Mason Mash).
The defense will have some key playmakers to replace, but they will have a lot returning from 2023. They bring back a solid nucleus on their front seven. Such as senior Jaron Layton and junior Caeleb Layton on the defensive line. And they bring back 3 linebackers in sophomore Keegan Tomsha, junior Noah Loge and Stone. The backfield will need to replacements to go along with returning senior Landen Inman.
KEY GAME: at Vinton County (October 18)
This game should decide the TVC championship and it will be a revenge game for the Buckeyes. Last year, Vinton County went to Boston Field and not only left with a 13-7 win, but also the TVC title.
WHEELERSBURG PIRATES (2023 Record: 9-4, regional runner-up)
Last year wasn't exactly pretty when you look at the overall record, but Wheelersburg still got where they wanted to be in the postseason. The Pirates managed to navigate their way into the regional finals last season, getting a big win over Barnesville in the semifinals before falling to Harvest Prep.
Despite graduation losses, Wheelersburg still aims to do better in 2024. They may have to overcome some growing pains with new starters on defense and a rugged early season schedule. But as last season showed, never count the Pirates out.
KEY RETURNERS: The Pirate offense will have several spots to fill at the skill position this fall. Junior QB Braylon Rucker will be back taking snaps again and will also have WR Kenyon Evans to target. Rucker will also have plenty of experience blocking for him as senior Parker Cantrell, senior Landon Evans, and junior Ryan Meeker all return on the offensive line.
Wheelersburg's defense took the biggest hit from graduation. The young defense will rely on senior DL Luke Willis and junior LB Elijah Brown to step in a be leaders this fall. This defense will be a one of those scenarios where everyone will have to "wait-and-see" come mid-August.
KEY GAME: at Harvest Prep (September 27)
This game will be a big indicator for these two squads as they begin the back halves of their schedules. The Pirates fell to the Warriors twice in 2023 (32-16 in week 6 and 22-0 in regional finals). So a good showing here would kickoff a stretch of momentum building heading into the postseason.
(Editors Note: There was a misprint in the Wheelersburg outlook with incorrectly identified players. Those changes have been made, the writers' responsible have been punished and pay has been severely reduced.)