Coach: Kevin Basinger, 14 years
2009 record: 2-4, 2-8
Key returners: Bryan Baird, sr., OL/DL; Jake O’Boyle, sr., DL; Josh Easter, jr., LB; Nate Eater, jr., LB; Daveon Greene, soph., RB; Matt Longo, sr., TE; Justin Nevitt, sr., RB/LB
Extra points
The Golden Eagles suffered just their second losing season under Basinger, who went 4-6 in his first season.
Five offensive starters and six defensive starters return, a good foundation to helping Bellbrook earn its first winning season since going 6-4 in 2006.
Of Bellbrook’s eight losses last year, six were by seven points or fewer. Bellbrook beat Valley View and Milton-Union, which both finished with winning records.
Baird — a 6-foot-4, 227 pound lineman — has verbally committed to Ball State. He had 88 tackles, nine for loss (including five sacks) and forced five fumbles.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 Miamisburg
Fri., Sept. 3 at Xenia
Fri., Sept. 10 at Carroll
Fri., Sept. 17 Milton-Union
Fri., Sept. 24 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 1 at Valley View
Fri., Oct. 8 at Eaton
Fri., Oct. 15 Brookville
Fri., Oct. 22 Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 29 at Monroe
BROOKVILLE (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Mike Hetrick (10 years)
2009 record: 2-4, 5-5
Key returners: Austen Alber, sr., OL; Connor Domsitz, jr., OL/DL; Cameron Dunn, OL/DL, sr.; Jake Harrison, sr., QB; Chad Webster, sr., RB/LB; Dylan Whorton, sr., WR/DB; Eric Wolfe, sr., OL/DL
Extra points
The Blue Devils are pulling a reverse from 2009: The offensive line is a strength — led by three seniors — and the backfield is inexperienced. Harrison, though, does provide some stability.
The first four games are on the road, as are six of 10 overall. Last season, Brookville played just four games on the road, going 2-2.
The team finished .500 last season, but the Blue Devils went 0-5 versus teams with winning records. That’ll have to change for Brookville to recapture the magic from a 10-0 season and playoff appearance in 2008.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 at Tri-County North
Fri., Sept. 3 at Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 10 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Sept. 17 at Eaton
Fri., Sept. 24 Dixie
Fri., Oct. 1 Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 8 at Monroe
Fri., Oct. 15 at Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 22 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 29 Valley View
EATON (Division III, Region 12)
Coach: Ron Neanen (23rd season)
2009 Record: 5-1, 8-3
Key returners:
Ben Duffie, jr., DL; Joseph Hightower, sr., WR; A.J. Jackson, sr., OL/DL; Deven Moses, sr., LB; Cody Shafer, sr., OL/DL; Deon Smith, sr., DL; Dustin Underwood, sr., OL; Zac Wilson, sr., WR/DB; T.J. Woods, sr., WR; Kyle Yoder, sr., LB
Extra points
Southwestern Division champs lost much from last year’s team that reached the playoffs before falling to Wyoming 34-32 in the first round. Gone are a 2,000-yard rusher, a 1,000-yard passer and an offensive lineman recruited by Cincinnati. But eight starters return on defense, which should give a young offense time to gel.
Junior Cole French takes over at quarterback. The 6-foot-4, 200 pounder has looked good in prepping for his role.
French has something to work with, too. The Eagles’ spread offense returns skill at receiver, and the offensive line is a strength. Most notably are Duffy and Woods, both who are getting some attention from colleges.
Schedule
Fri., Aug 27 at Talawanda
Fri., Sept. 3 at St. Henry
Fri., Sept. 10 Greenon
Fri., Sept. 17 Brookville
Fri., Sept. 24 at Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 1 at Monroe
Fri., Oct. 8 Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 15 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 22 at Valley View
Fri., Oct. 29 Preble Shawnee
FRANKLIN (D-III, Region 12)
Coach: Rodney Roberts (fifth season; 16th overall)
2009 record: 4-2, 7-3
Key returners: D.J. Brewer, jr., OL; Cody Priest, jr., RB; Justin Salyers, sr., WR; Jacob Rinehart, sr., LB
Extra points
Franklin finished second in the Southwestern, one game behind Eaton. The Wildcats graduated 23 seniors and return four starters on offense and two on defense.
Since taking over the team in 2006, one that went 1-9 in 2004 and 3-7 in 2005, the Wildcats have gradually improved under Roberts. Starting with that 2005 team Franklin has gone 3-7, 6-4, 5-5, 6-4 and 7-3 last season. Those three losses last season came by 13 points to Carlisle, two points to Valley View and 10 to Eaton.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 3 Western Brown
Fri., Sept. 10 Dixie
Fri., Sept. 17 Monroe
Fri., Sept. 24 at Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 1 at Madison
Fri., Oct. 8 Valley View
Fri., Oct. 15 at Eaton
Fri., Oct. 22 at Brookville
Fri., Oct. 29 Oakwood
MONROE (D-III, Region 12)
Coach: Brett Stubbs, first season
2009 record: 5-1, 9-3
Key returners: Clayton Campbell, sr., OL/DL; Zach Fugate, sr., DB; Ryan Hayes, sr., RB/LB; David Routson, sr., QB; Bret King, sr., C; Devin King, sr., RB; Logan Stanger, sr., TE; Jake Webb, sr., DL; Jayson Mulvihill, sr., DB
Extra points
This is Stubbs’ first head coaching job after 23 years as an assistant, most recently at Monroe and Middletown.
Monroe moves into the big-school Southwestern Division, switching places with Milton-Union, which is now in the Buckeye Division.
The Hornets return talent, highlighted by 1,000-yard rusher Devin King, and will run a version of the wing-T with some shotgun mixed in.
Schedule
Fri. Aug. 27 Meadowdale
Fri. Sept. 3 Ross
Fri. Sept. 10 at Talawanda
Fri. Sept. 17 at Franklin
Fri. Sept. 24 at Valley View
Fri. Oct. 1 Eaton
Fri. Oct. 8 Brookville
Fri. Oct. 15 at Oakwood
Fri. Oct. 22 Northrige
Fri. Oct. 29 Bellbrook
OAKWOOD (D-III, Region 12)
Coach: Paul Stone (14 years)
2009 record: 1-5, 1-9
Key returners: Matt Carpenter, sr., QB/DB; Trent Jervis, jr., RB/LB; Tucker Jones, sr., OL/DL; Kevin Lee, sr., RB/DB; Levi Miller, jr., WR/LB; Colin Morris, sr., RB/DB; Dan Roll, jr., RB/LB
Extra points
Only eight seniors are on the roster, but a large group of juniors got plenty of playing time last year.
The losing season was Stone’s first at Oakwood. A 17-14 win against Bellbrook in Week 9 was the Lumberjacks’ lone win.
Oakwood scored 14 points or fewer in seven games last season. Opposing offenses, meanwhile, scored 28 or more points in eight games.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 Bishop Fenwick
Fri., Sept. 3 at Milton-Union
Fri., Sept. 10 Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 17 at Valley View
Fri., Sept. 24 Eaton
Fri., Oct. 1 at Brookville
Fri., Oct. 8 Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 15 Monroe
Fri., Oct. 22 at Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 29 at Franklin
VALLEY VIEW (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Jay Niswonger (27 years)
2009 record: 4-2, 7-4
Key returners: Ben Copher, sr., OL; Brian Day, jr., OL; Kenny Duff, soph., DB; Brandon Fox, sr., DB; Chris Lykins, jr., DB; Kyle Pohl, sr., QB.
Extra points
The Spartans return eight starters on offense and four on defense (all in the secondary). Niswonger will take it; Valley View lost 20 of 22 starters going into the 2009 season.
Speedy running back Jake Jarbo transferred from Preble Shawnee and brings three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to an already potent offense.
Pohl, who gave a verbal commitment to play his college football at Akron, returns to lead an offense that averaged 27 points.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 at Dunbar (Welcome Stadium)
Fri., Sept. 3 at Indian Hill
Fri., Sept. 10 Bishop Fenwick
Fri., Sept. 17 Oakwood
Fri., Sept. 24 Monroe
Fri., Oct. 1 Bellbrook
Fri., Oct. 8 at Franklin
Fri., Oct. 15 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 22 Eaton
Fri., Oct. 29 at Brookville
BUCKEYE
CARLISLE (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Billy Jewell (fourth year)
2009 record: 5-1, 9-3
Key returners: Deron Daws, sr., OL; Joe Downey, jr., OL; Adam Emerick, sr., DB; Seth Everhart, sr., OL; Jordan Jacobs, sr., WR; Josh Koogal, sr., DB; Michael Kruse, jr., WR; Dusty Laughlin, sr., LB; Alex Leach, jr., WR/DB; Nick McGill, sr., RB; Chris McLaughlin, sr., DL
Extra points
The Indians are coming off their first consecutive nonlosing seasons since 1987-88, and 2010 could be even better. Eight starters on offense and eight starters on defense return to a team that won the SWBL Buckeye and reached the second round of the playoffs before falling to state champ Alter 41-0.
In addition to those starters, a couple players from Edgewood transferred to Carlisle, including all-league quarterback Tommy Thacker. Edgewood’s school levy failed in May causing major cuts and a pay-to-play fee for extracurricular activities.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 at Franklin
Fri., Sept. 3 Brookville
Fri., Sept. 10 at Oakwood
Fri., Sept. 17 at Waynesville
Fri., Sept. 24 Northridge
Fri., Oct. 1 Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 8 at Madison
Fri., Oct. 15 Valley View
Fri., Oct. 22 Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 29 at Dixie
DIXIE (D-V, Region 20)
Coach: David Tarpley (fourth season)
2009 record: 3-3, 5-5
Key returners: Luke Bowling, so., QB; Doogie Hauser, jr., RB/DB; Ethan Hayes, sr., LB; Cody Johnson, jr., DL; Tony Prater, sr., WR
Extra points
Tarpley likes how his offense is looking, especially with the 6-6 Prater, a four-year starter. Bowling has a year of varsity experience and Hauser, a speedster running back, is getting competition from sophomore Ryan Jordan. On defense, Hayes leads the way as a fourth-year starter.
The Greyhounds have 49 kids out, up from the 35 they finished with at the end of last season.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 Twin Valley South
Fri., Sept. 3 Deer Park
Fri., Sept. 10 at Franklin
Fri., Sept. 17 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Sept. 24 at Brookville
Fri., Oct. 1 Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 8 at Northridge
Fri., Oct. 15 at Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 22 Madison
Fri., Oct. 29 Carlisle
MADISON (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Joe Snively (second season)
2009 record: 1-5, 3-7
Key returners: Mason Conley, jr., RB /LB; Chris Daniel, sr., WR/LB; Ben Lenos, sr., TE/DL; Billy McGuire, sr., WR/DB; David Schenck, so., OL/LB
Extra Points
Seven starters return on a spread offense that has Conley in the backfield and returning receivers in Billy McGuire, Chris Daniel and Dylan Dwyer. Cody Wilmot QBs the offense for the second season.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 Heath
Fri., Sept. 3 at Troy Christian
Sat., Sept. 11 Cin. Shroder
Fri., Sept. 17 Northridge
Fri., Sept. 24 at Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 1 Franklin
Fri., Oct. 8 Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 15 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 22 at Dixie
Fri., Oct. 29 Waynesville
MILTON-UNION (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Bret Pearce (11th season)
2009 record: 3-3, 6-4
Key returners: Cohen Church, sr., LB; Shane Eshelman, sr., OL/DL; Jake Finfrock, jr., RB; Evan Geus, sr., DB; Cody Hill, sr., LB; Kyle Krieger, sr., OL/DL; Adam Martin, sr., QB; Clay Minton, jr., DB
Extra points
Milton-Union — which moves from the Southwestern Division to the Buckeye Division — narrowly missed the postseason with three of its four losses by 14, 8 and 3 points in 2009. The offensive and defensive lines, and how quickly they come together, could play a big role in the Bulldogs run this season.
Martin moves from running back to quarterback to run the spread offense. He rushed for 890 yards last season and could give defenses trouble.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 Miami East
Fri., Sept. 3 Oakwood
Fri. Sept. 10 at Tippecanoe
Fri., Sept. 17 at Bellbrook
Fri. Sept. 24 Madison
Fri., Oct. 1 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 8 at Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 15 Dixie
Fri., Oct. 22 Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 29 at Northridge
NORTHRIDGE (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Bob Smith (seventh season)
2009 record: 1-5, 1-9
Key returners: Nate Jackson, so., WR; Tyler Murray, so., LB; Aaron Price, sr., WR; Tyrell Russell, sr., RB; Jamal Smith, sr., LB; Bill Tomlin, jr., OL; James Tomlin, jr., DB
Extra points
Russell, a 1,400-yard rusher last season, leads the way. Jackson and Price give first-year senior quarterback Brandon Hayes a pair of experienced receivers in the team’s spread offense. While the skill positions return experience, the offensive line rebuilds.
About 60 kids are out, a boost from the 36 the Bears ended with last season.
Team unity and speed, especially on defense, has Smith excited. Where does that speed come from? Well, Smith is also the track coach.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 at Bethel
Fri., Sept. 3 at Mechanicsburg
Fri., Sept. 10 Belmont
Fri., Sept. 17 at Madison
Fri., Sept. 24 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 1 Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 8 Dixie
Fri., Oct. 15 at Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 22 at Monroe
Fri., Oct. 29 Milton-Union
PREBLE SHAWNEE (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Greg Stacy, third year
2009 record: 1-5, 3-7
Key returners: Marcus Allen, sr., WR; Dakota Bennett, sr., WR; Clay Brewer, jr., WR/DB; Josh Hocker, jr., RB/LB; Austin Jarbo, jr., QB; Zack Janson, jr., OL; Cameron Letner, sr., WR/DB
Extra points
Stacy hopes to build on last season’s 3-7 record and make a run at .500. The last winning season was 6-4 in 2001 and the school record for wins was 7-3 in 1996.
About 10 seniors are on the roster, which is dominated by the junior class. The experience many of them received as sophomores will help. One of those sophomores from last year is Jarbo, who moved from running back to quarterback midway through the season. He has some nice targets in Allen, Bennett, Brewer and Letner. What he won’t have is brother Jake, a 1,000-yard rusher, in the backfield. The senior transferred to Valley View.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 National Trail
Fri., Sept. 3 at New Miami
Fri., Sept. 10 Brookville
Fri., Sept. 17 Dixie
Fri., Sept. 24 at Waynesville
Fri., Oct. 1 at Northridge
Fri., Oct. 8 Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 15 Madison
Fri., Oct. 22 at Carlisle
Fri., Oct. 29 at Eaton
WAYNESVILLE (D-IV, Region 16)
Coach: Brandon Philpot (first year)
2009 record: 5-1, 8-3
Key returners: Chase Gianattasio, sr., WR; Isaac Hammonds, jr., OL/DL; Caleb Keeton, jr., K; Ryan Potter, sr., WR; Josh Powell, sr., LB; Mike Tarkany, jr., OL/DL; Joey Tweel, sr., WR
Extra points
Philpot takes over for Glen Burchfield, who stepped down after leading the Spartans to three consecutive playoff appearances. Philpot served as a varsity assistant at Waynesville the past 12 seasons and the last seven as the offensive coordinator.
The Spartans graduated about 80 percent of its offense — specifically RB Seth Millar and QB Cory Young.
To compensate — this is the first time in about six years the Spartans have a quarterback competition — the offense is being simplified and the focus is on detail.
The team has 58 players out, the most ever at Waynesville according to Philpot. Helping boost those numbers are a freshmen team, the first in the program’s history. Five games have been scheduled for them.
Schedule
Fri., Aug. 27 East Clinton
Fri., Sept. 3 at Clinton-Massie
Fri., Sept. 10 Dayton Christian
Fri., Sept. 17 Carlisle
Fri., Sept. 24 Preble Shawnee
Fri., Oct. 1 at Dixie
Fri., Oct. 8 at Oakwood
Fri., Oct. 15 Northridge
Fri., Oct. 22 at Milton-Union
Fri., Oct. 29 at Madison
— Compiled by Greg Billing, staff writer