Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by Holzer Health System.
It feels so good to finally write this … high school football is officially back.
Last season provided plenty of jaw-dropping performances, instant classics, playoff runs, and even a run to a state championship game in Southern Ohio.
Now, as we turn the page to the 2026 season — between the SVC, SOC, FAC, MSL, OVC, TVC and Ironton, who is now independent in football — more moments are waiting to be covered and unknown players are ready to mold themselves into household names.
So before the season’s opening kickoff takes place, we’ve compiled a list of 20 players to watch for this season.
NOTE: This is NOT a list of the 20 best players in SOSA’s coverage area. It’s not a be all, end all. This doesn’t mean other players won’t have outstanding seasons. It is simply 20 names to keep an eye on this season. Nothing more, nothing less.
Fernando Poxes, Portsmouth
One thing new head coach Brandon Sammons has going for him is Poxes returning to the backfield. Leading the Trojans to eight wins last season, including one in the playoffs, he ran for over 1,000 yards and found the end zone 10 times. Expect him to find paydirt a lot more as the Trojans aim for OVC supremacy.
Bronx Carpenter, Symmes Valley
The Vikings went from 4-6 in 2024 to 9-3 last season because of a massive leap that Carpenter made. He threw for 3,058 yards and 35 touchdowns, compared to just six interceptions, helping his team win a playoff game. If that progress continues, imagine the leap he’ll take entering his junior year.
Karter Williams, Chillicothe
It’s no secret what Cartae Ligon can, and will, do for the Cavaliers. But someone has to catch the ball on the outside. Enter Williams. At 6-foot-4, the senior receiver is a mismatch on the outside just by lining up. Oh, he also owns the school record in the high jump at 6-foot-8. Throw it up and let him go get it.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Braden Adkins, West
Adkins may only be 5-foot-8, but don’t let his height fool you … he’s a baller. With quick feet, secure hands and speed in the open field, he finished with 45 catches for 837 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. PW lost eight seniors from last year’s team. The Senators are potentially gearing up for another playoff run.
Brayden Harsha, Unioto
Get used to seeing Harsha’s name routinely for the next three years. He’s got the goods. He made a huge splash as a freshman, hauling in 16 catches for 288 yards and six touchdowns. He also made huge plays defensively in their playoff win over Columbus East. This kid is going to be special. Just watch.
Boston Webb, Eastern
From a production standpoint, no receiver tops what Webb accomplished last season. 48 catches for 1,218 yards and 20 touchdowns, including an OHSAA-record seven touchdowns in one game. He earned first-team All-Ohio honors for the 10-win Eagles. Get him the ball and watch him operate.
Sam Pfeifer, Washington
One thing about Washington is that it’s always going to have someone that slings the football. Pfeifer is the present of Blue Lion football, and his arm talent is undeniable. Last season, he threw for 2,946 yards and 39 touchdowns while also leading them to a playoff win. Do yourself a favor, buy a ticket and see him with your own eyes.
Eli Wright, Westfall
A lot of Westfall’s production from last year’s six-win season is gone. However, Wright is back in the backfield and it’s his show this time around. As a sophomore, he ran the ball 101 times for 669 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Now that he’ll get the bulk of the carries, expect those numbers to skyrocket.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Weston Wheatley, Nelsonville-York
If the ball is in the air, Wheatley is coming down with it. The question is whether it’s offensively, as a receiver, or defensively, as a corner. At Athens last season, he caught 50 passes for 878 yards — both team-highs — alongside four touchdowns, and came down with nine interceptions. NINE. The ultimate ballhawk. Test him if you dare.
Walker Stone, Nelsonville-York
Stone did a little bit of everything last year, except take a snap under center. He had 46 carries for 571 yards and eight touchdowns, 16 catches for 334 yards and four touchdowns, and had 68 tackles and four interceptions defensively. He was a huge piece of the regional runner-up Buckeyes. He’ll put on a show this year.
Kayden Edwards, Ironton
Dual threat. That’s what Edwards is. He finished the season with 25 total touchdowns — 15 passing, 10 rushing — while throwing just five interceptions, leading the Tigers to eight wins. Ironton is out for blood this season, and the Boston College commit is surely going to be leading the charge wherever he is on the field.
Frankie Hirsch, Huntington
There’s a lot of hype in the TWP this season, and it all starts with Hirsch. He returns under center after winning the Division VI co-Offensive Player of the Year honor after throwing for 1,245 yards and 17 touchdowns, alongside four more scores on the ground. Keep an eye on this Huntsmen team. It could be a record season.
Stephen Hall, Wheelersburg
The Pirates have a lot of work to do if they are to return anywhere close to Canton. But one thing that helps is having Hall back. He’ll be the featured back this year after carrying the ball 86 times for 395 yards and eight touchdowns last season. With a number of new starters this year, Hall’s experience is more needed than ever.
C.J. Crabtree, Jackson
Speaking of teams with new varsity starters, Jackson will roll out nearly a brand new team. However, Crabtree does have some experience under center and it’ll be needed this season. He had one start last season, finishing 11-of-14 for 145 yards and two scores. Now it’s time for him to drive the car.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Baron Phipps, Miami Trace
Julian Baker is the focal point of the Panthers’ offense. However, if they are to reach their full potential as a team, Phipps will have to take his game to the next level. He threw for 619 yards and eight touchdowns as a part of last year’s 10-win season. If he takes the leap Miami Trace hopes he does, it could mark another huge campaign.
Hudson Williams, Zane Trace
In the middle of the Pioneers’ defense stands Williams, who is much more than just a champion pole-vaulter. He finished with a team-high 97 tackles, alongside nine tackles for loss as part of the Pioneers’ nine-win season that included a playoff victory. If there’s a play to be made, chances are he’s making it.
Nick Holland, Amanda-Clearcreek
With the Aces losing two seniors, including a first-team All-Ohioan, it’s now Holland’s time for the spotlight. He showcased what he was able to do in moments his number was called, and now with a full workload ahead of him, he could be in store for a breakout season. That would be music to first-year coach Eddie Johnson’s ears.
Ray Ezell, Circleville
Ezell had a small hand in helping the Tigers piece together, arguably, their best season in school history. With quick feet to change direction and the speed to outrun defenders, he found himself in the end zone a handful of times. With a vast number of seniors graduated from the program, all eyes will be on Ezell.
Hayden Jones, Waterford
If you haven’t seen Jones in action, make sure to put that on your to-do list this season. At times, he was Waterford’s quarterback, where he threw for seven touchdowns. He was also the Wildcats’ feature back and finished with 1,096 yards and 12 scores, leading his teammates to nine wins and a playoff victory.
Wyatt Swick, Minford
Swick is pretty much a touchdown waiting to happen once you get him the ball in space. As a freshman last year, he was already the go-to guy on the outside as he finished with 25 catches for 617 yards and five touchdowns. He’s only going to get better and those numbers will keep rising. His future is bright.
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