Lorain County Football Preseason Team Rankings

Here are my pre-season rankings with their predicted final records:

1. Avon 10-0, 6-0 – The Eagles graduated several players from last year's 10-0 team. There's still a lot of talent remaining. Will finish 2011 with 22 regular season wins.
   
   
2. Avon Lake 8-2, 7-0 – Meet the new Shoremen superstars: QB/P Chris Jedlicka, RB Dontez Smith, FB/LB Nick Skuggen, TE/DT Jake Young, OT T.K. Burk, OG/NT Nick Stueber, C/DE Ryan Pivcevich and CB Brett Bass. Avon Lake will make it 13 play-off appearances in 14 years despite moving up to Division 1 in 2011.
   
   
3. Elyria Catholic 8-2, 5-1 – Another team that will re-load after graduating several superstars. They should make an easy transition to a new offense and a new conference. Jeremy Holley replaces record-setting QB Danny Reaser. Panthers fans don't worry. Holley is 6-5 and has an arm every bit as strong as Reaser.
   
   
4. Clearview 8-2, 7-0 – The Clippers missed a PAC Stripes Division title in 2010 for the first time since 2005. Strength of this team will be their returning tailbacks and linebackers in Matt Jordan, Chad Anderson and Josh Molina. Freshmen Roger Engle will be the new QB.
   
   
5. Columbia 9-1, 6-1 – 2010 was the best record in team history. The Raiders need to overhaul both the offensive and defensive lines. Returning for their senior seasons are QB John Banyasz (1,478 yards and 23 TDs) and RBs Zach Bican (686 yards) and Brandon Heidinger (716 yards).
   
   
6. North Ridgeville 7-3, 3-3 – An injured kicker prevented the Rangers from making their 2nd straight play-off appearance. Christian Watkins and David Bowden return on offense while David Riley and Eric Knoblauch return on defense.
   
   
7. Amherst 7-3, 4-3 – The Comets return QB Brennan Hosier but his top 3 receivers graduated. New head coach Chad DiFranco replaces Kevin Fell and will oppose each other in week 1.
   
   
8. Midview 3-7, 2-4 – The Middies had their problems last season but return 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense. They have a score to settle with Lorain after losing to the Titans in week 1 last year.
   
   
9. Wellington 3-7, 3-4 – The Dukes return several players in the offensive backfield including RBs Clay Wright and Alex Rush and QB Dylan Weidrick.
   
   
10. Elyria 3-7, 3-4 – Bringing in new head coach Kevin Fell is a great hire. It will only be a matter of time before Elyria is relevant again.
    
    
11. Keystone 4-6, 3-4 – The Wildcats return just two letter-winners (Marcus Gunter and Kendle Stiner) from last year and both were DBs. 60 players on the roster which is a good number for Keystone.
    
    
12. Lorain 2-8, 1-6 – Another irrelevant school who made a great hire in the off-season. New coach Mark Solis has been a winner wherever he has been including leading Elyria to a play-off appearance.
    
    
13. Vermilion 3-7, 1-5 – Athletic Director Ben Ohlemacher adds football head coach to his job duties. The Sailors have a new attitude and 50 players on the roster.
    
    
14. Firelands 3-7, 2-5 – 2010 was a lost season due to the scandal and resignation of former head coach Todd Pooch. Through all of the adversity and unfortunate circumstances, new coach Mike Passarello kept the team together and fought hard each and every game. The Falcons should benefit from a full summer to get ready for this season.
    
    
15. Brookside 3-7, 1-6 - Like Ben Ohlemacher, Athletic Director Dick Kerschbaum adds football head coach to his job duties. Former Coach Keenan Leichty left the team in July. The Cardinals will struggle this year.
    
    
16. Oberlin 1-9, 0-7 – Will be another long season for the Phoenix. There's some talented players returning this year.