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Hudson and DE Tim Jordan. Tailback D'Juan Francisco is regarded as one of the nation's top prep players. This team can put points on the board. This team can keep points off the board. 2. PRINCETON (11-2): The defending Division I state champions lost two all-America players in TE Alex Higdon and RB James Brown. But the Vikings' talent pool was hardly depleted. This may well be one of the fastest and quickest teams the Vikes have put on the field, with the likes of WR Vince Munlin and RB Steve Gholston. More Importantly, the man who made the '83 Princeton team go-flashy option QB Michael Taylor-returns. Mark Mitchell returns to anchor the offensive line, while DBs Harlan Barnett and William Franklin will head up the defense. 3. COLERAIN (8-2): Veteran coach Tom Kocica bows out after this season, but he can't be accused of not giving it his best shot. The Cardinals just missed making the playoffs last year because of a loss to LaSalle in the final game. This year, Colerain answered the question "Where's the beef?" by adding Princeton (Sept. 7) and St. Xavier (Nov. 2) to Its schedule. The Cardinals' trademark has always been defense. This year should be no different, with junior LB Dave Abbott leading the way. Offensively, there are 1,000-yard rusher Van Shelton and QB Mark Marsh. 4. ELDER (6-4): The fans In Price Hill weren't too thrilled with last year's record. Reports from around town don't harbor much
Player CONTINUED FROM PAGE D-7 major colleges. Has great speed (4.5) and fine running Instincts. Has shown tackle-breaking a billty. Todd Oberdorf, C, Fairfield, 66'>2, 220-Good blocker with good foot speed. Snaps ball well and has ability to get into gap quickly. Son of former Northwestern star and has ability to put on 30 to 40 pounds without loss of speed (5.2). Has major-college size, especially at his position. Kevin Ohe, SE, St. Xavier, 6-3, 185-Moves from tight end. Has outstanding hands. Speed Is not exceptional, but makes up for it by running great pass routes. Has knack for catching pass in crowd. Greg Paul, C, St. Xavier, 6·0, 220 -Outstanding technician, startIng his second year In tough GCL, where he was a standout as a junior. Exceptional blocker. Has 4.9 speed. Size a serious drawback, and It's uncertain whether he can be recruited for another position. John Perry, DB-SE, Sycamore, 511, 165-Very good hands, allaround athlete with 4.6 speed. . Former QB with fine field smarts. Paul Pfeiffer, TE, Milford, 6-5, 185-Runs sub-5.0 in the 40. Good hands and has blocked well In pre-season scrimmages. A threesport star, could be Division I prospect if he fills out. Has frame to do so. • Steve Pike, TE-LB, Reading, 6-4, 210-Added several inches and pounds over the summer to reach the kind of size that major college scouts like to see. Has good speed (4.7 to 4.8) and good range. Needs to prove his potentiaL Could be a sleeper, probably attracting most attention as a linebacker. David Pool, QB-S, CAPE, 5-10, 180-Regarded by many area coaches as the best "athlete" in the city. Was selected as the top player this past summer at Tennessee's 300-player camp. Optionstyle QB with exceptional speed ( 4.5), a strong arm ( 16 TDs, 48 of 78 for 736 yards) and averaged over 11 yards per carry. Could be considered at several positions as a major-
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hope for Improvement. The Pan- will have to rebuild his offensive thers,, who failed to garner any line, but he's blessed with speedy points in last year's final season backs in Tom Frooman and Ken poll, may be overrated here. TltusandsplitendJohnPerry.All Elder's strength Is its defense, led three double as defensive backs, by linebackers Todd Tieman and making the Aviators tough to pass Tom Farrell. Unlike most Panther against. squads, this one Isn't big. The of9. OAK HILLS (6-4): The Hlghfense has only two proveh players landers have drawn strong reviews -linemen Dave Langen (center) In pre-season-particularly on ofand tackle Rick Schiller. fense-where coach Ed Jackson Is 5. ROGER BACON (8-2): The loaded with skill people. TB Jim Spartans are coming off their fin- Hebert and TE Grant Griesser will est season s!nctl 1969's 9-1 finish. head up that unit. Defensively, the Bacon fans should expect another Scots are young with six junior good year. This team has the kind starters. Should be In ·thick of of one-two offensive punch HamlltonCountAmericanLeague coaches like to have. Quarterback race. John Stofa, son of the former 10. AIKEN (7-2-1): Coach John Bengals QB of the same name, Young fields a largely untested and tight end Steve Fum! will squad, but this school isn't ready team up by air. Tailback Murphy to relinquish its reign as the domiNaylor will keep opposing de- . nant Public High School League team of the 80s. First-year QB fenses honest. 6. MOUNT HEALTHY (7-3): Gary Watkins shows much Last year, the Owls had a young promise, but his Inexperience team. Dues paid, the 1984 squad typifies the Falcons. Here's a league-by-league look at will be quite formidable. Despite inexperience In the offensive thlsyear'sraces: backfield, the Owls return lightEASTERN HILLS LEAGUE: There nlng in quarterback Vincent aretwointerestingstoriesintheEHL. Grant and thunder In tight end . First, it's the last year for the league, Eugene Riley. The offensive I! n e w . ,. : ~five - smaHer schools have broken experienced and the defense orm their own league next sea_, · . Second, there are four new head peppered with veterans. 7. ST. XAVIER (4-5-1): With an - .coaches-Madeira's AI Heim, Milford's explosive offense, the Bombers Jim Prather (who moved from Madeishould live up to their nickname ra), Indian Hill's Mike Heizman, and this year. Quarterback Greg Frey, Loveland's Denny Johnson. Sycamore who passed for over 1,100 yards last Is a clear-cut title favorite. The other year, has his top two receivers re- usual contenders-Loveland and Deer turning-Jack Ankenbauer and Park-r:nust make up for ~eavy Jeff Angeline. The backfield fea- graduation losses. Look for. ~anemont tures a 4.4 sprinter, third-year tall- ~~nb~a~kb~g~~- ~~reat than •t s pre-sea· back Tom Fogarty. The defense, GREATER CINCINNATI LEAGUE: led by LB Ted Schiller and DE For 13 years, Moeller has gone unbeatBrian Krieger, must prove itself. en in the league. The Crusader dynasty 8. SYCAMORE (9-1): The Avia- should continue. As usual, this is a race tors will probably go out In a blaze tor second place. A key game there of glory in their final Eastern Hills could be Oct. 26, when St. Xavier League season. Coach Joe Clark meets Roger Bacon. Elder is a distant
fourth. it's hard to imagine LaSalle, sans ail-state QB A.J. Nieman, could improve upon last year's 5·5 record. GREATER MIAMI CONFER· ENCE: Princeton is more dominating in the GMC than is Moeller in the GCL. The Vikings have won or shared the GMC title since the conference's inception in 1969. Barring inJury to key per· sonnel, the Vikings should keep their string intact. Look for Middletown to present Princeton with its biggest challenge. Lakota and Lima Senior should battle for third place. HAMIL TON COUNTY AMERICAN LEAGUE: Of all the city's league races, the HCAL should be the tightest. Only three points separate the top three teams, and six separate the top four. Oak Hills (the slim favorite), Colerain, Mount Healthy and Forest Park all received at least one firstplace vote. HAMIL TON COUNTY NATIONAL LEAGUE: Like the EHL, this is a lame duck league. Wyoming, Reading and Finneytown have ali defected from the HCNL, and will join the five departing EHL teams next year. What will make the final HCNL race so interesting is that there is no dominant team. Greenhills is the favorite, but the Pioneers have only six seniors. Norwood and · Wyoming are unproven. Harrison arul Taylor are back in the pack, but could break through. NCH and Finneytown Just aren't deep enough to mount se,.P: ous challenges. MIAMI VALLEY CONFERENCE: Summit Country Day has won this league two years running, and should make it three. Given a little luck, Lock· land and New Miami could sneak up. ceo may be a year or two away. Landmark Christian returns after a year hiatus, and is a question mark. PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE: There are two pretty good teams here in slight favorite Western Hills and Aiken-last year's co-champs. After the smoke clears, one of the two will probably be on top. Any of the other five teams are iongshots. Only a hunch, but keep an eye on Hughes.
basketball team. Major-college potential seems to lie in football, though will await outcome of basketball season before he ma.kes final decision on which sport he will play. Gardner Sorrell, C, Middletown, 6-2, 270-Has blue-chip speed (5.2) for his size, a real plus for his position. Very good foot movement. Listed among Street & Smith's "Seniors to Watch." Dan Solazzo, T, Fairfield, 6-1,223 -A two-year starter who "does everything well" says coach Ben Hubbard. Solid blocker who gets orr the ball well. Size may be drawback at his position, though he may be moved to guard before end of season, which could enhance his recruiting potential. Doug Stewart, OT-OLB, Lakota, 6-4, 220-Good quickness and runs well (4.9 range). "Mean and ornery," says coach Stu Eversole. Good lateral movement and very strong. May be recruited as defensive end. John Stofa, QB, Roger Baron, 62, 170-"Some days It's scary ... he's so good," said coach Rich Fuchs. Son of former Bengal QB Johh Stofa and shows same outstanding ability. Strong arm and accurate passer. Has big-time speed (4.6) and has averaged over 15 yards per scramble In pre-season scrimmages. Should be heavily recruited. Jim Stofko, G, Moeller, 6-4, 247Has the size that will draw attention from major col!eges. Mobility and agility is exceptional for his size. An all-Ohio candidate, he will be considered as a major-college guard. Mark Stoy, OT, Moeller, 6-3, 240 -Is strongest player ever in Moeller's program with a combined weight lift total of 1,545 pounds In bench press, squat and dead lift. Regarded by coaches throughout city as one of best offensive lineman in town. Will probably be recruited as an offensive guard. Michael Taylor, QB, Princeton, 6-l. 185-An outstanding option quarterback with excellent passIng ability. Tremendous quickness with game-breaking speed (4.7 in 40) and has good Instincts as the play develops. Ranks high in his
sought after as a quarterback. Listed among Street & Smith's "Seniors to Watch." ' Todd Tieman, LB, Elder, 6-3,215 -Considered one of the to.p players on this "year's team. Big, strong and quick with a consistent 4.6 time. All-around good football player, tremendous hitter. Ken Titus, DB·RB, Sycamore, 510, 160-Size could be drawback, but has 4.5 speed and very good hands. Very tough against the run. Led Aviators in pass Interceptions. Russell Viel, G, Middletown, 6-3, 246-Sensatlonal offensive guard. Has major-college speed (4.9, 5.0) which makes for top-notch pul!ing guard. Excellent at providing pass protection. Has attracted Big 10 attention. Adolphus Washington, DE, Western Hills, 6-3, 215-Very quick and has good speed (4.9) for pursuit. Very aggressive .. could be a sleeper, but needs to have good year to attract Division I at tentton. Guy Watkins, QB, Aiken, 6-4, 175 -A first-year starter who needs t9 have a strong season to attract much attention. Has major-college size and arm. Throws lo~g and accurately. Dne Weil, TE, Colerain, 6-4, 232 -Great foot movement and blocking ability. Very lnten~e player. Probably be recruited S;S major-college guard, though was picked as outstanding TEat Michigan football camp this past summer. Jerry Wileh, TE·T, Reading, 6-~, 210-Hobbled In pre-season with an Injury, which may cause his final statistics to suffer. Was honorable mention all-state last year as tight end. Good hands (;38 receptions, 622 yards) and such a strong blocker, he may wind up playing tackle for Blue Devils this season. Copeland Yarbrough, G-DT, Forest Park, 6-4, 235-A th!rd-yeat starter with good speed, range and excellent balance. A formidable hitter on defense. He w!ll probably be recruited as major-coll~ge guard. Mike Zwick, OT, Moeller, 6-6, !33 -Has the height, weight and frame to attract the eyes of major college scouts. Has all the tools
Gary Prater, TE-LB, Forest Park, 6-4, 220-A third-year starter at tight end with exceptional pass catching ability. Has excellent knack or running with football after catching it. One of city's top receivers as a sophomore. Very tough on defense. A bona fide big time player. Anthony Randle, LB, CAPE, 510, 170-Good lateral movement. Can cover the pass and run. Was the Crusaders' leading tackler last year on a team that allowed only 64 points. Size a drawback at linebacker position, but has speed to be considered a defensive back. Eugene Riley, TE, Mount H ea !thy, 6-2, 198- Real tough blocker with excellent hands. A solid receiver who attracted attention with strong junior year. Bona fide Division I, major-college prospect. Riek Schiller, OT, Elder, 6-3'>2, 222-Very good blocker who comes off the ball well. Quick, has good speed (5.1) for his size and position. Ted Schiller, LB, St. Xavier, 6-4, 225-A three-year letterman with major-college size, ability and speed (4.9). Will be h'eavlly recruited. An extremely tough hitter and is outstanding against the rush. Is Bombers' leading returnIng tackler. Van Shelton, RB, Colerain, 6-2, 173-Excellent tailback who rushed for 1,185 yards, a 7.3 average. Good moves, good hands and good speed (4.6). Needs 122 yards to set all-time Colerain rushing record. Tim Siemer, QB-S, Western Hills, 6-3, 180-Has big-time size and is still growing. Best trait Is excellent field Intelligence. Has very strong arm. Could be recruited as safety, though his speed may be suspect. Bill Smith, DT, Middletown, 6-6, 240-Extremely quick for his size. Has run a 4.95 in the 40. Very aggressive. When on top of his game, can dominate the action. Will be heavily recruited. Sean Smith, TE-DT, Wyoming, 68, 245-Unquestionably will draw a tot of attention simply because of his size. Just turned 17. An abOveaverage blocker (tho.ugh could be Improved) with good mobility. Has ability to go up to 270 or 280 with........ .,...,.,..,....,J
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