Vote Now for the Ashland County Preseason Football Player of the Year

Before the high school football season kicks into high gear, the Ashland Times-Gazette will give readers the chance to vote for the Ashland County Preseason Football Player of the Year.

The poll will be open from Friday, August 16 at 10 a.m. to Thursday, August 22 at 10 a.m. The winner will be announced on Friday, August 23.

Ashland County Football Preseason Player of the Year Candidates

Tyler Sauder, Ashland

2023 Stats/Accolades: 99 tackles... 4 interceptions... 3 tackles for a loss... 1 forced fumble... 1 fumble recovery... First-Team Ohio Cardinal Conference selection

Case to be made: In his junior season, Sauder made a big impact as a defensive back and even dabbled in playing some wide out. Don't be surprised if he forms into an high-end two-way player for the Arrows as a senior that could bold well for the team's OCC title aspirations.

Nathan Bernhard, Ashland

2023 Stats/Accolades: 1,718 passing yards... 13 TD passes... 7 INTs... 266 rushing yards... 8 rushing TDs... Second-Team Ohio Cardinal Conference selection

Case to be made: The 6'5" quarterback was impressive in his sophomore year, but there's a real sense he hasn't reached his full ceiling yet on the high school level. If that's the case, the Division I highly-recruited Bernhard could be in store for a quite the jump in both production and further development as a dropback passer.

Jayce Hopek, Black River

2023 Stats/Accolades: 979 rushing yards... 196 carries... 7 rushing TDs... Averaged 80.9 rushing yards per game

Case to be made: During his sophomore season, Hopek formed an effective backfield with senior Blake Hopkins. With Hopkins graduating, the junior could possibly see the bulk of the carries this fall for a Black River team coming off an 8-4 season, that involved a playoff win. An 1,000-yard rushing season is in play.

Ayden Reymer, Crestview

2023 Stats/Accolades: 1,430 rushing yards... 242 carries...15 rushing TDs... Averaged 130.0 rushing yards per game... Second-Team Firelands Conference selection

Case to be made: Expect the Cougars to lean on Reymer in the ground game as a junior and his numbers could be strikingly similar or maybe even superior than last year. He'll play a key role in Crestview's hopes of winning the Firelands Conference title.

Dylan Burge, Crestview

2023 Stats/Accolades: 126 tackles (20 solo)... 8 pass breakups... 4 tackles for loss... 2 INTs... Northwest District Honorable Mention

Case to be made: Burges was one of the top defensive players in the Firelands Conference and district area last season at defensive back as a sophomore. He could very well be again this fall.

Grayson Allis, Hillsdale

2023 Stats/Accolades: Hillsdale's top offensive lineman (right guard) for a team that averaged 26.1 points per game... On the defensive line, he had 32 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 sacks... First-Team Wayne County Conference selection

Case to be made: One of the top-tier offensive lineman in the Ashland/Wayne County area, and could assume an even bigger role as an defensive lineman this season for the Falcons.

Hayden McFadden, Hillsdale

2023 Stats/Accolades: 34 receptions... 660 receiving yards... 10 TD catches... 704 punting yards

Case to be made: McFadden surfaced as one of the area's premier wide receivers as a sophomore and served as a deep threat for the Falcons. He could be even better in 2024.

Isaac Beun, Northwestern

2023 Stats/Accolades: 2,206 passing yards... 15 TD passes

Case to be made: Even through Northwestern's 1-9 season, Beun in his first year as the starting quarterback was pretty good. He'll be looked to lead the Huskies in a big way as a senior and his numbers could be prolific enough for him to be viewed as one of the top-of-the-line quarterbacks in the district.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Vote Now for the Ashland County Preseason Football Player of the Year