CLEVELAND, Ohio — Northeast Ohio concluded its season with a Division II state championship game in Canton between two teams just a short drive from Massillon and Akron.
Can the Tigers and Archbishop Hoban repeat as victors?
They are again favorites to win the championship in the 2024 season, which begins week one on Friday, Aug. 23 and concludes with the OHSAA State Championships Dec. 5-7.
Here are the top 10 early preseason favorites to win in Division II:
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10. Walsh Jesuits (12-2 last year): The Warriors, who advanced to the OHSAA Division II regional finals, return strong-arm quarterback Keller Moten and 6-foot-4 receiver Milan Paris, a Division I college prospect. Senior tackle Cody Kish was named All-Ohio third team as a junior, and Colt Crossley returns up front as a junior under coach Nick Alexander. Running back Lucas Weaver also brings experience, assuming a leadership role in place of last year's injured standout Brock Sherman.
9. Trotwood-Madison (9-3): Are the Rams on the road to a comeback? The three-time defending state champions from Division III are in the running after reaching the second round despite a 41-35 loss to Celina. Six-foot-8 senior tackle Jahmiel Atkins is a three-star prospect and junior defensive lineman Ja'Marcus Weiss is a four-star recruit. Junior receiver Armani Rogers was named to the All-Ohio third team and freshman defensive lineman Jeremiah Nash received honorable mention.
7. Cincinnati Mount Healthy (8-3): The Fighting Owls suffered an early first-round exit last year, losing 35-28 to Dayton Chaminade Julien. Three-star quarterback Jameah Spain and three-star edge rusher Ty Watkins return. All-district linebacker Rayshawn Cotton also returns to Mount Healthy.
6. Cincinnati Withrow (12-2): The Tigers are fresh off a regional finals shootout loss to Cincinnati Anderson, which graduated All-Ohio Offensive Player of the Year Brody Berg. Kentucky-bound wide receiver Quintin Simmons Jr. and Cincinnati-bound edge rusher Eric Gayle are their best prospects. But Withrow suffered a tough loss when receiver Chris Henry Jr., a recruit from Ohio State, transferred to Mater Dei in California and signed a non-negotiable contract with Adidas.
5. Wadsworth (9-3): The Grizzlies, who dropped down from Division I, are Avon's biggest challenger in Region 6. Coach Justin Todd leads a strong 2026 class with running back/safety Gavin Madigan and linebacker Jacob Earnest making big contributions to the Suburban League title run as sophomores.
4. Cincinnati Anderson (13-2): Despite losing Berg to Davidson, Anderson returns quarterback Justice Burnham, who was named to the All-Ohio second team as a junior, senior tight end Kayden Pienning is a freshman at UCF and athletic Trace Jarick is a three-star prospect and All-Southwest District second-team receiver.
3. Avon (14-1): Coach Mike Elder's squad is coming off a trip to the Division II state semifinals for the sixth time in the last seven years, and the Eagles have Kent State-bound Nolan Good back to lead the offense once again. There will be some turnover on the line with Luke Hamilton going to Michigan, but center Connor Bingham returns with a promising future. Good's two biggest receivers, Matt Maxey and Cole Kepner, also return. The defense has as much experience as any team in Division II with the addition of junior Jacob Weatherspoon, a Power Five prospect who holds offers from Ohio State and Michigan.
2. Massillon (16-0): The defending state champions will have a familiar face returning at quarterback with Jalen Slaughter set to take the reins at his old position. Slaughter started at the position as a sophomore and added Dawan Owens, a transfer from Copley, to the Tigers' run to the title last year. All-Ohio Defensive Player of the Year Dorian Pringle is now at Bowling Green, while All-Ohio first-team defensive lineman Michael Wright Jr. returns at linebacker and Miami (Ohio) commit Vito McConnell will play linebacker. Offensive lineman Nolan Davenport, a University of Wisconsin commit, also returns, and he will be joined by senior running back Jamere Gamble. University of Toledo freshman Tyler Hackenbracht also has big-play potential.
1. Archbishop Hoban (13-2): While Massillon beat Hoban 7-2 to win the Division II state championship last November, the Knights welcome back quarterback Tylan Boykin (who can focus on cornerback with the addition of Brunswick transfer Ethan Loksandich) and receivers and cornerbacks Elbert “Rock” Hill IV and Peyton Cook, who are Division I college candidates as seniors. Sophomore Brayton Pfeister is expected to return after missing a chance at a state title with a wrestling injury, and the offensive line features two of the state's best players in junior Sam Grier and senior Nate Cross. Oh, and Ohio State freshman linebacker Eli Lee also returns to lead the defense.
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