LEGENDS OF THE FALL: The vindicator’s 44 TOP players to watch in 2013

SchoolPlayerPositionNumberYearThe skinny

Austintown FitchDarrin HallRB24Jr.Falcons’ top returning rusher said to have received 20-plus D-I offers.

Beaver LocalCody MartsolfOL-DL59Sr.Beavers lineman was a district finalist as a wrestler.

BoardmanTurel ThompsonWR-RB-DB2Sr.Ran for 600 yards, had 300 yards receiving and scored 24 TDs in 2012.

BrookfieldJoe ClarkRB1SrHas the responsibilities of helping new QB and as the coach’s son.

Campbell MemorialStephan ElashQB14Jr.First-year starter will be the key to the Red Devils’ offense.

CanfieldAlec BuchenicOL-DL51Sr.Pitched Canfield baseball team to regional final appearance in 2012.

Cardinal MooneyMark HandelRB-DB22Sr.Speedy, versatile athlete moves from wideout to running back.

ChampionMike CyrusRB12Sr.Averaged 6 yards per rush and ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2012.

ColumbianaSteve KurillaOL-LB56Sr.The offensive lineman is one of three starters back for the Clippers.

CrestviewCollin GilbertQB9Sr.He surpassed 1,000 yards in rushing and passing last fall.

EastBrandon JacksonQB2Jr.First-year starter is a threat to run or pass for the Panthers.

East LiverpoolJohn MiscukRB45Sr.Big back (6-1, 216) is part of the Potters’ running back by committee.

East PalestineLuke CopeRB3Jr.Cope, a two-year at QB, is moving to RB to give EP experience there.

GirardNick CardieroQB2Sr.Threw for more than 1,400 yards in just seven full games as a junior.

HowlandT.K. FortsonLB23Sr.Tigers’ leading tackler might be the top defender in the Valley.

HubbardL.J. ScottRB3Jr.Nationally ranked running back recruit for Class of 2015.

Jackson-MiltonCorley LambOL56Sr.The two-way lineman has earned multiple letters for the Bluejays.

LaBraeMarcell RichardsonWR-LB88Sr.Without Peyton Aldridge, he becomes the focus of the offense.

LakeviewJustin JourneyRB-LB40Sr.Don’t stop believin’ the Bulldogs’ two-way standout will have a big year.

LeetoniaZack Van GiesenFB-DT24Sr.Three-year lettermen rushed for 900 yards in 2012 and 600 in ’11.

LibertyChayton GilcherOL-DL77Sr.The Leopards love to run behind their mammoth (6-6, 330) lineman.

LisbonJosh LiberatiQB10So.The Blue Devils quarterback leads a strong group of underclassmen.

LowellvilleColin PopeOL-DL58Sr.One of three two-way linemen who make up the heart of the Rockets.

MathewsAlex BagagliaFB2Sr.The Mustangs’ former QB is moving to another spot in the backfield.

McDonaldCameron IfftRB10Jr.At 6-3 and 195 pounds, he has a nice combination of size and speed.

Mineral RidgeJonathan BakerQB-DB2Sr.The Rams don’t have Devine Redding, but Baker is an experienced QB.

Newton FallsBrandon FullerQB4Sr.Ran for 795 yards a year ago, but the Tigers are looking to pass more.

NilesJosh KrokOL73Sr.The Red Dragons’ huge lineman (6-9, 315) is a West Virginia recruit.

PolandRoss GouldRB20Sr.Small (5-7) but tough, Gould rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 2012.

SalemHaedan PanezottRB-DB8Sr.His big plays were bright spots in a dismal ’12 season for the Quakers.

SebringDylan MickRB-LB14Sr.Starting RB says the Trojans have grown tougher after struggles.

South RangeJake RuizOT-DL75Sr.Huge DT (6-5, 270) will create havoc in opponents’ backfields.

Southern LocalCaleb GotschallOL-DL-K57Sr.Giant of a man (6-8, 305) has to be the biggest K in Ohio. America?

SouthingtonBrendan BaugherFB-LB40Sr.Coach describes Wildcats’ three-year starter as their toughest runner.

SpringfieldGabe CroweLT66Sr.His top priority is to keep scrambling QB Hunter Snyder upright.

StruthersTameko HolnessWR-DB10Sr.Big and fast. Part of Wildcats’ 4x200 relay team that went to state.

UnitedGarrett BeechQB6Sr.Three-year starter leads an experienced Golden Eagles team.

UrsulineChris DurkinQB13Jr.Michigan State recruit is the cousin of Florida DC D.J. Durkin.

Warren HardingLamar CarmichaelQB1Sr.Steady, mistake-free play helped the Raiders return to the playoffs.

Warren JFKCarl ZallowRB22Sr.A prime reason the Eagles have uncommon speed for small program.

WellsvilleCamden DouglasWR40Sr.One of the area’s best basketball players. Will it translate to gridiron?

West BranchKip DeShieldsWR-DB6Jr.WIll make opposing coaches’ faces as red as his hair.

Western ReserveNick AllisonQB18Sr.Returning starter surrounded by lots of weapons with the Blue Devils.

Youngstown ChristianDarien TownsendWR-DB2Sr.The dynamic playmaker helped the Eagles make a playoff run.