Video: Early Contenders presented by Shock Doctor We set the tone for 2018 by looking at high school football's elite.
Head coach: Jay Sharrett
Last season: 14-1, No. 20 national ranking, beat Mentor 56-28 in the Ohio Division 1 state championship game to win the school's first ever football state title.
Last decade: 106-20
Famous alumni/players: Taco Charlton, Dallas Cowboy defensive end; Brian Peters, Houston Texans linebacker; Caris LeVert, Brooklyn News shooting guard.
Star power (According to 247Sports): 5-star recruits — 0; 4-star recruits — 0; 3-star recruits — 3
Head coach Jay Sharrett
File photo by Todd Shurtleff
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Crenshaw is one of the most special players from the Class of 2020.
DT DeWayne Carter (6-3, 270, Sr.) —
This 2019 Duke commit is a major reason the defensive line will be one of Pickerington Central's strengths in 2018.
DT Karter Johnson (6-3, 300, Sr.) —
The 2019 TCU commit is a beast in the trenches and pairing with Carter gives the Tigers one of the top defensive lines in the state.
CB Jaquwan Crawford (5-11, 175, Sr.) —
Replacing
Xavier Henderson is going to be tough, but having Crawford will be huge for the secondary.
S Jason Betts (6-1, 190, Sr.) — Betts and Crawford are going to be the leaders of the secondary this season.
KEY GAMESAug. 26 —
vs. Phillips (Chicago)
Sept. 7 — at Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood)
Oct. 12 —
vs. Pickerington North (Pickerington)
STORYLINES• Pickerington Central rolls into the 2018 season with a ton of momentum after winning the school's first football state championship. They lost a couple key pieces but with Crenshaw back under center the Tigers are in good hands. Look for him to build on his Ohio Division 1 state championship-game record-setting six touchdowns performance against Mentor.
• The defending state champs open the season as part of the ESPN GEICO Showcase at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 26, against Phillips, the defending 5A Illinois state champs.
