CJ, D-III, Region 12:

Region 12, mostly due to the effect of competitive balance, a landmark initiative and numeric formula by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Colvin called D-III, Region 12 “the toughest in the state.” Here’s why: GCL Central rivals Badin and McNicholas, Dunbar, Franklin, Piqua, Tippecanoe, Mt. Healthy and Wapakoneta all landed there.

CJ is looking to snap a three-year run of not advancing to the postseason. The Eagles’ non-league matchups are just as daunting: at Marion Local in the opener — the second game of a twoyear series — and against visiting Miamisburg in Week 2.

The playoffs are “always a goal,” Colvin assured.

Here are some things to know about the GCL North this season:

All those sophomore break-ins two seasons ago? They’re all seniors now, including quarterback Ryan Peltier.

“I’ve learned a lot the last three years,” said Peltier, a key member of last spring’s D-II state baseball runner-up who recently committed to play baseball at Ball State University. “We have a lot of confidence coming off last year. We have a lot of seniors back.”

Peltier had 1,078 yards passing and 11 TD tosses as a junior.

Alter, D-III, Region 12:

The Knights only lost to eventual state champion Columbus Bishop Hartley 14-7 in a D-IV state semifinal last season after a dominant regular season that included a lopsided GCL North title. Alter walloped its three GCL North Division rivals by a combined 152-6.

However, many key players from that team have since graduated, including quarterback Ryan Markoff and linebacker David Rueth.

At quarterback is junior Connor Bazelak, who impressed last season while subbing for an injured Markoff.

Also returning: coach Ed Domsitz. With 40-plus seasons as a head coach, he’s the dean of area coaches and will be inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame next June.