I meant to write this sooner, but every season, and just about every sport, when all-star sections like Friday's All-Star Football Edge come out, I think about who's coming back next year. So, I'll get right to it. Here's my pre-pre-pre-preseason All-Journal Football team for 2009:

QB - Eric Schwieterman, St. Paul: He will be a senior and gets a slight nod over Elyria Catholic's Danny Reaser.
RB - Anthony Hitchens, Clearview: He will be my preseason favorite for player of the year.
RB - Mike Mansnerus, Avon Lake: With the second half he had and Christian Pace back to anchor the offensive line, who can stop the Shoremen?
WR - Josh Russ, Elyria Catholic: If Reaser can't make this team, Russ definitely will. By the way, Danny Accordi would be just as good of a selection.
WR
TE - Dan Schneider, Avon Lake: I smell a deep playoff run for Avon Lake, and a lot of big plays for Schneider, who I think may be the most underrated player in the area next season. He will tie things together for Avon Lake with his run blocking and ability to stretch the defense with his pass catching, something the Shoremen will desperately need.
OL - Christian Pace, Avon Lake: He, along with Joe Coyne, were the two guys I wish I could have gotten on the first team this year. Pace is a lock!
OL - Jared Schuster, Elyria Catholic: The offense will work because of this anchor.
OL -Isaiah Byler, Elyria: Injuries really hurt Byler this year.
OL - Kyle Cory, Edison: The Chargers are my early pick to win the Sandusky Bay Conference.
OL - Greg Knapp, Wellington: Having him back on the line will be big for the Dukes.

DL - Josh Pierce, Avon: Next season, the Eagles' defense will be their focal point -- just like it was in the playoffs.
DL - Eddie Wimbley, Sandusky: He could lead the area in sacks. I believe he's Francis X. Bova's favorite player.
DL - Dakota Schwann, Monroeville: The Eagles have to bounce back, right? Having him and Carl Black returing in the interior is reason to believe so.
DL - Tony Petrosky, Midview: Bill Albright got some great play from Petrosky this year as a sophomore. Knowing how good Midview's program is, you can bet Petrosky will be a beast.
LB - Jake Niece, Firelands: As you can probably tell by the recognition we've given him the last two years, I dig the way he plays linebacker. But, you got to love the way he's been playing since he was thrown into the fire at Firelands as a freshman when things were bleak.
LB - Austen Gray, Wellington: When a Wellington player is left off the first and second team for football, I feel bad. Even at 4-6. Gray should be a lock next season.
LB - Anthony Hitchens, Clearview: We don't put guys down twice, but I really thought Hitchens would get that this season until we decided not to do so. He's even better as a linebacker than a running back.
LB - Jaron Hicks, Oberlin: The Phoenix should improve yet again next season, and Hicks is a big reason why.
DB - Dan Tracht, St. Paul: Expect the Flyers to keep, well, flying. They keep plugging guys in, but Tracht will have been a three-year presence.
DB - Jake Neuschaefer, Elyria: He will be a junior next season and a reason for optimism at Elyria with its underclassmen.
DB - Zach Rogers, Elyria Catholic: Rogers played excellent this season. You will hear his name more.

K - Ryan Galik, Avon: He will be a senior and was a contender to make a team this year. Collin Owens is another top kicker next season. Owens stepped in for Lucas Wright at Clearview when the Clippers beat up on Brookside. Owens looked like a better kicker that night.
KR - Tony Williams, Clearview: In junior high, he was the one name I kept hearing among what will be the 2009 season's senior class.

There you have it. As for a player of the year ranking, how about this: 1) Hitchens, 2) Schwieterman, 3) Mansnerus, 4) Reaser, 5) Running back Josiah Holt of Midview.