Nye's way-too-early high school football power rankings

We are five weeks away from Week 1 of the high school football season … How?Time really does fly by doesn't it.I'm fresh off of vacation and recharged for another exciting fall season coming up for the A-T coverage area. While we do have an announcement coming soon on a little change in our weekly football coverage, I'm still putting my local knowledge and ego on the line every week with my football rankings for our area teams. In 2024, we saw some great football, like we usually do in our coverage area. We had quite a few teams make the playoffs (which will be different this season with 12 instead of 16 making it in each region), including Mohawk and Hopewell-Loudon both making it to a regional semifinal.For these rankings, it is always the toughest one because I'm solely basing my rankings off of last year's success and who I know/think is returning for each team. Again, this isn't head-to-head comparisons as we have schools from Division III all the way to Division VII. It's rankings on how good I believe the teams will be in their respective divisions and leagues and who will have the best season overall.Also, this is without talking to any coach yet before we will gear up for our Fall Preview Section, which will be out in August.Regardless – here we go:1. Hopewell-Loudon (11-1): The past few seasons my rankings have rotated the top spot usually between Carey and the Chieftains. What a Week 1 game that always is as well. But the two will be league rivals beginning next year, but we'll get to that next season. Who would bet against coach Brian Colatruglio and the juggernaut from Bascom? The Chieftains have won five straight SBC River titles and haven't even lost a league game since Week 10 in 2019. The Chieftains did graduate do-it-all Braylon Martinez and northwest Ohio lineman of the year Will Nutter to name a couple, but with two QBs back (Jacoby Ellis and Kellen Frankart), some of the best linemen in Ohio returning and Jack Colatruglio back at wideout, among other really good players returning on both sides of the ball, I'll roll with the Chieftains.2. Carey (6-6): After my top pick, this is where I'm not so confident in my rankings as there are some questions with each of these teams. But here are the Blue Devils. With Eli Steen and Tripp Phoenix returning, why not? Kyler Boes returns at QB and D-lineman Carter Bame returns after a great year. Plus, it's Carey, do I have to explain any more?3. Calvert (7-5): The pieces are there. After adjusting to coach Mike Lento's scheme and coaching style in his first season, the Senecas could be on the brink of a special season. With all-around athlete Logan DeMoss returning, Nolan Lee getting the starting role this year in the backfield and with the Moyer twins up front leading the way, there's a lot to like from the Senecas. Now, they will have to replace some really good players, especially up front, but once again my biggest question with them is the passing game? They should be able to run the ball and dominate the line of scrimmage against most teams, but can they remain balanced? Has sophomore QB Tucker Coleman taken a step forward? He has a year of varsity football experience under his belt and he certainly looks the part. A lot of upside with the Senecas, but still some questions.4. Clyde (8-4): As long as coach Ryan Carter is at Clyde, the Fliers will always be competitive. Injuries have bitten the Fliers the past few seasons, but Clyde did win a playoff game last season. Adam Young returns as the top rusher for the Fliers as he was close to 1,000 yards, Jonathan Lantz returns at QB and some top targets return. No matter what personnel Clyde has, Carter will have it in the right look when Week 1 comes around.5. Mohawk (10-3): What a turnaround season for the Warriors last year. The Warriors were a senior-laden group, including one of the best quarterbacks (Ben Bogner), receiver (Kahne Hayman) and defensive back (Kaleb Bish) in the state in D-VII. All of them are gone, along with a few other talented players. But the Warriors do bring back some talent, including Kaden Bish in the backfield and Owen Patrizi as a stud linebacker. The biggest question with them is the QB. Can Andon Clouse or another QB keep the Warriors atop the N10?6. Seneca East (7-5): When the Tigers are at their best, they have a quarterback that can distribute the ball to a bunch of different ball carriers/receivers. Nicholas Parks took over for Blake Foos last season and did really well as he showed the ability to throw and run with effectiveness. He led the N10 in passing with 2,520 yards and 30 touchdowns, but did toss 15 interceptions. Jackson Gayheart returns in the backfield, but SE did lose some all-Ohio talent in Taylor Young and Justin Reiter. If SE can show the ability to be more balanced this season offensively, it'll challenge Mohawk, Carey and Colonel Crawford in the N10 like usual. 7. Columbian (4-7): This is the team with the most questions. First off -- Who is the quarterback? Zach Shawberry filled in and did a good job as he had the impossible task of taking over for Brayden Roggow leading one of the best offenses in the state in 2023. But no one else on the roster threw a single pass last season. That 2023 team was loaded with all-Ohio talent. After a step back at 4-7 while still playing a very challenging schedule, the Tornadoes do have some guys returning at key spots. One of the bright spots last season for Judd Lutz had to be the emergence of running back Masen Seitz. After going from consecutive 1,000-yard rushers (KeSean Jackson and Damien Brockington), Seitz rushed for 1,054 yards and 10 scores last season as a sophomore. Top wideout Johnny Bremyer is back, along with complementary athletes like DaShawn Russell and Daelan Brandeberry as well, but TC will have to plug some holes up front. But who is the QB and will he be able to lead a bounce-back season in 2025 for the Tornadoes? Those are questions likely answered in the next few weeks.8. Lakota (2-8): An interesting team this season could be Lakota. Under now second-year coach Ryan Lozier, the Raiders do return some experience in players like Jalen Wagner, Nick Elchert and Avery Shilling to name a few. Can Lakota compete up front? That's the main question.9. Upper Sandusky (5-6): The Rams made the playoffs again last season, but just haven't quite taken that next step yet. While the Rams did graduate some talent, top playmaker Ethan Lewis is back this season. Lewis ran for 1,001 yards with six TDs. A team with 14 sophomores last year, the hope surely is some improvement under coach Russell Hall.10. Bellevue (3-7): I must admit, it will be weird to look at the Bellevue sideline and not see Ed Nasonti with a headset on. He coached the Redmen longer than I've been alive, so it will be an adjustment. But in steps Alex Shepherd to lead a new era of Bellevue football. The Redmen have struggled a bit these last few seasons, but Ike Brown is one returner with a lot of experience. He was a nice dual-threat option at QB as he led the Redmen in passing and rushing.11. Buckeye Central (2-8): Jack Phillips is the guy for the Bucks. He passed for 1,175 yards and rushed for 697 more yards last season for the Bucks. He could use a little help this season, but depth usually catches up to BC on the football field.12. Fostoria (3-7): The Redmen did end the 2024 season winning two of their last three games. Second-year coach Derek Angelone will be looking for improvement and some sense of consistency from a program that is in need of a turnaround season.