2024 High School Football Preseason Power Rankings

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The 2024 high school football season officially kicks off tomorrow with 40 games over the next three days, featuring 54 local teams.

Watch the video above to see which teams we think are primed to make a long playoff run this season with our WKBN Preseason Power Rankings.

#1 – URSULINE

The Fighting Irish have won 13 playoff games over the last four years and appear well-equipped to make another deep run. Dual-threat playmaker DC Ferrell will take over at quarterback with both University of Akron recruit Tairan Davis and three-star standout Devonte Taylor at wideout. They also return Phil Bowser, a senior lineman with more than a dozen Division I college offers. Ursuline will kickoff the season Thursday night live against reigning regional champion Walsh Jesuit in our WKBN Game of the Week.

#2 – STRUTHERS

The Wildcats won 10 games last year and went four rounds deep in the playoffs, their longest run in school history. Most of that talent is returning, including two 13 hundred-yard rushers in Jason Dukes and Devin Braham, both members of the WKBN Big 22 last season. The Wildcats also return four starters from that talented offensive line, so this team has certainly reset the standard in Struthers.

#3 – FARRELL

The Steelers haven’t lost a league game in three and are once again the preseason favorite to take home the Region One title. Farrell will have to do it without their top two receivers and the program’s all-time leading passer, but there is plenty of talent returning. Thousand-yard rusher Juelz Johnson, playmaker Julius Phillips and sophomore quarterback Aaron Pegues will lead the way, and they will debut on live TV as the WKBN Game of the Week, Saturday against Hickory.

#4 – HICKORY

The defending District Ten champions are looking for a repeat run this season, and they certainly have the roster to get it done. The Hornets return quarterback Zander Telesz, who racked up over 16 hundred yards passing and 29 total touchdowns last year, along with their leading rusher in Kelvin Morrison. They also bring back every offensive and defensive lineman from their two-deep roster, including First team All-State selection Luke Lewis.

#5 – WEST BRANCH

The Warriors have won 23 games over the last two seasons and back-to-back conference titles. And they will be the favorite to do it again this season. West Branch returns a staggering 20 starters from a team that averaged over 41 points per game last year. That includes running back Boston Mulinix, who rushed for over 11 hundred yards and 19 touchdowns, and thousand-yard receiver Joey Jackson.

#6 – SOUTH RANGE

The Raiders haven’t lost a conference game in four years and will look to defend their Northeast Eight Conference title this season. They return a large senior class that includes quarterback Tristan Toy, who accounted for 26 total touchdowns last season, and their leading tackler on defense, Luke Starkey. South Range will kickoff the season at home against rival Springfield, and look for their fourth consecutive win over the Tigers.

#7 – SHARON
The Tigers are coming off one of the best defensive seasons in school history. They allowed less than 7 points per game last year, including six shutouts. Sharon returns five three-year starters on that side of the ball, including All-State defensive end Brodie Miller, linebackers Bryson Roberson and Ike Friday, and cornerback Bishop Root. They will be tested early this season though against two of the best programs in Erie. Mercyhurst Prep and Cathedral Prep combined for 17 wins last season.

#8 – BROOKFIELD

The Warriors have qualified for the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, and return 6 starters on both sides of the ball this year, including a pair of sophomore standouts. Quarterback Josh Rankin threw for over 13 hundred yards last season, and Rico Smith rushed for over 15 hundred. Brookfield will kickoff the season against Hubbard, which marks the first meeting between the backyard rivals in 15 years. It will be the WKBN Game of the Week this Friday.

#9 – CARDINAL MOONEY

Strength of schedule will, once again, be an advantage for Cardinal Mooney, if they can qualify for the playoffs for a third consecutive season. The Cardinals will play six teams that, not only played in the postseason last year but also won in the playoffs. They return 10 starters on defense, and few special players on offense, including 6 foot 3 quarterback Keith Rhodes and a pair of speedy wideouts in Carlos Gomez and Dennis Clark.

#10 – SPRINGFIELD

The Tigers have qualified for the playoffs for five consecutive years and earned wins in the postseason during all of those campaigns. This season they move back up to Division VI with the same three non-conference opponents, all of which made the playoffs last year. Springfield will look to compete for the conference title once again with returning thousand-yard rusher Dante Gentile and their leading tackler on defense in linebacker Wyatt Kuboff.

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