1. Marion Local. The Flyers went 14-1 and won their fifth state championship in six seasons last fall. Marion has only four returning starters but it is hoping for big years for some players who have had to wait for their turn to play. The returnees included Notre Dame recruit John Dirksen.
2. Coldwater. Replacing 15 starters would be daunting for most programs, but the Cavaliers replaced 19 last season and went 13-2 and were state runner-up, breaking a streak of four consecutive state championships.
3. Fort Recovery. The Indians have Will Homan (1,801 yards rushing) and first-team All-MAC defensive lineman Andrew Stockler back from an 8-5 team that dominated two playoff opponents before losing by two points to eventual state runner-up Minster.
4. Minster. The Wildcats have four returning starters on offense and six on defense. Quarterback Jared Huelsman (2,279 yards passing and 1,378 yards rushing) was the MAC’s Player of the Year last season.
5. St. Henry. The Redskins won eight games and got to the second round of the playoffs last year. They have seven returning starters on defense, led by first-team All-MAC linebacker Tyler Schlarman, and six returning offensive starters.
6. Delphos St. John’s. There will be several new faces on offense but three of the top four tacklers from last year – Troy Schwinnen, Isaac Musser and Troy Elwer – are back on defense.
7. Anna. Four returning players who were second-team All-MAC last year when Anna was 5-5 could help make the Rockets contenders.
8. Versailles. Four of the Tigers’ five losses last season were to a state champion (Marion Local), two state runners-up (Minster, Coldwater) and to a 10-win Valley View team.
9. Parkway. The Panthers have some work to do on both sides of the ball after scoring seven or fewer points in seven games and giving up 30 points or more in seven games.
10. New Bremen. Getting a MAC win would be huge for the Cardinals. They haven’t won a conference game since 2012.
