High school football top 25 early contenders (continued)

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12. Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio), 13-2, Division 1 runner-up

It was a difficult 2009 for Tarblooders fans, as Glenville lost two games all season, each by one point: a season-opening 14-13 loss to St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) and a 16-15 season-ending loss to Hilliard Davidson (Ohio) in the Division 1 state final.

The Hilliard Davidson game was particularly heartbreaking, as Glenville squandered a 15-8 lead in the final minutes and were done in by a two-point conversion with barely a minute remaining that gave the Wildcats a 16-15 victory.

However, hope springs eternal for Glenville, as Ted Ginn's team returns its starting quarterback, running back, and most explosive receiver for another run at a state title. Cardale Jones, a 6-foot-5 dual-threat signal-caller, will be responsible for distributing the ball to running back Rob Walton, who rushed for 16 TDs and over 1,000 yards, as well as slot receiver Shane Wynn, who made 10 TD grabs.

Wynn, being courted by top programs around the country, is also a valuable special-teams performer.

The offensive line will be led by massive tackle Aundrey Walker. A quick scan over the Tarblooders roster shows plenty of big bodies who ought to be able to step in and pave the way for Walton. Tight end Andre Sturdivant is more valuable on defense, where he plays linebacker and is a key cog for Ginn on that side of the ball. While losing defensive back Latwan Anderson and Christian Bryant will certainly be challenging, juniors Sean Draper and De'Van Bogard appear to be capable newcomers.

Talent, however, has ever been an issue at Glenville, as the team is always well-stocked. The team was minutes away from a state title, and had they won, the 2010 Tarblooders would probably be receiving even more hype.

Will 2010 be the year that Glenville goes the distance? Beating Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) on Sept. 6 would go a long way to suggesting that very well could be the case.

11. Plant (Tampa, Fla.), 13-1, 5A state champs

Winning state championships in three of the last four seasons in the Sunshine State has certainly elevated Plant's national status.

And 2009 may have been the program's most impressive run. After losing All-Americans Aaron Murray and Orsen Charles and having to replace a boat load of other key pieces, the Panthers rebounded from a 32-20 season-opening loss to Tampa Bay Tech (Fla.) and won 13 consecutive games on their way to a 5A title. Included in that run was a 20-0 blanking of nationally ranked Lakeland (Fla.) and a 24-21 victory over Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), which had defeated top-ranked Aquinas one week earlier.

While Plant will once again have to plug some holes, they've got two crucial pieces in place: quarterback Phillip Ely and running back/linebacker James Wilder. Taking over for Murray full-time this season, Ely (6-0, 190) showed great promise completing 127 of 219 passes for 1,860 yards and 20 scores, while only getting intercepted three times.

The team's driving force, without question, is Wilder. Recently named the top recruit in the class of 2011 by Tom Lemming, Wilder can change a game on either side of the ball. Offensively, he's extremely difficult to bring down, as his now-legendary run in the semifinals against Lakeland proved.

At linebacker, he's phenomenal, recording 136 tackles and 19 sacks last year. In any game that Plant plays, Wilder will almost certainly be the best player on the field.

Also, 6-5, 295-pound lineman Tony Posada returns. He'll be joined by 6-4, 285-pound junior Nathan Shienle. Defensive tackle Nathan Schnitzlein will assume a bigger role on the defense line after recording four sacks from the defensive tackle position. Linebacker Matthew Suarez is another key piece the Panthers will have back. The secondary should have good size and is already developing.

Plant will need to mature quickly. An early showdown with Abilene (Texas) will have major national rankings implications.

10. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 16-0, 4A-I state champs

A line on the Lake Travis football website reads "3-peat is SWEET". Elsewhere on the site, the phrase "One more is 4" can be found.

It's clear that the Cavaliers have enjoyed their dominance of Texas' 4A ranks and show little signs of slowing down as defensive coordinator Hank Carter assumes the head coaching reins. Quarterback Michael Brewer was a more than adequate replacement for MaxPreps National Athlete of the Year Garrett Gilbert. In his first season starting, Brewer threw for over 316 yards per game, finishing with 4,450 yards and 43 TDs.

Three of Brewer's top four receivers return in Conner Floyd, Tanner Gillette, and Griffin Gilbert, Garrett's younger brother. Meanwhile, 6-5, 270-pound Texas commit Taylor Doyle returns on the offensive line. Reagan Womack is another player to watch on the line. Running back Michael Pojman will fill in for the departed Andy Erickson. He'll help keep defenses from keying on the Cavaliers' passing game.

While the offense receives the bulk of the attention, Lake Travis' defense was quietly very strong and returns several important pieces from a unit that stuffed superstar running back Malcolm Brown on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line to preserve the team's winning streak. Jonathan Roberts, a 6-3, 260-pound defensive tackle, and 6-3, 220-pound linebacker Austin Williams recorded 104 and 181 tackles, respectively. They'll man the middle of the defense. Shaquille Marable and Tyler Paulson will help Roberts up front. Marable was injured toward the end of last year but was extremely effective when healthy.

With safety Colin Lagasse and cornerback Omar Duke-Tinson returning, the Cavaliers should also be set in the defensive backfield. The team will open up with rival Westlake, which came within a hair of defeating Euless Trinity for the 5A-I title.

9. Bingham (South Jordan, Utah), 13-1, 5A state champs

There's only one word that can really described the 2010 Bingham Miners: Loaded.

On paper, Bingham will be even better than the 2009 Miners who finished with only one loss, a 42-21 defeat at the hands of Trinity (Euless, Texas).

In some ways, the three-touchdown loss at the time was very deceiving. First, few thought that Trinity would be an eventual state champion. Second, the fact that the game was essentially a home game for the Trojans cannot be understated. Had the game been played at a neutral location, the game would have likely been closer. Had Bingham hosted the game, even closer still.

That's certainly not making excuses for head coach Dave Peck's squad, who played poorly by its own admission. But putting the game in context suggests that Bingham is much, much better than they appeared in Texas day. The 2010 Miners return nine players on both sides of the ball who saw significant starting time last year, highlighted by Harvey Langi.

Langi is one of the top rushers nationally and the clear-cut top player in the state. He's got a 6-2, 220-pound build with excellent agility and change-of-direction skills. He gained 1,514 yards last season and crossed the goal line 21 times. He also compiled 317 receiving yards and four additional scores.

Division I linemen Kesni Tausinga and Jordan Hicks both return. Tausinga is committed to BYU and Hicks has offers as well. Josh Smith, Dalton Fackrell, and Brady Measom all return at receiver for quarterback Stefan Cantwell, who shared reps with Ty Hannay last year but erupted for four touchdowns in the state final win over Davis (Kaysville, Utah).

Seni Fauonuku, Baker Pritchard, and Moses Kaumatule are all back on the defensive line, and all have scholarship offers. Linebackers Manoa Pikula, Roman Valenzuela, and junior Jared Afalava are returning linebackers that combined for 162 tackles last year.

Watch out for sophomore Lowell Lotulelei, a 6-2, 250-pounder who Utah has already offered. Peck has been touting Bingham's class of 2011 since they were freshman. Now that they are seniors, they could lead a team that could go down as one of the state's best ever.

8. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), 14-1, 4A state champs

Dwyer beat a lot of good football teams in 2009, and beat them badly. In the 4A state final, the Panthers unloaded on previously unbeaten Niceville (Fla.), 42-14. That came on the heels of pounding Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) 41-15.

Armwood coach Sean Callahan said he felt like his team lost to the best team in the state last year, and there's a lot of people around Palm Beach County that agree with him. Last year's Dwyer squad featured Matt Elam and Robert Clark, two current Florida Gators who were both terrific high school players.

Without them, this year's team may not be quite as dominant, but it's the excellent group of returning players that has Dwyer looking like one of the top teams in the country once again in 2010. For starters, head coach Jack Daniels squad boasts one of the top tight ends in the nation in Nick O'Leary. An outstanding lacrosse player, O'Leary is wildly athletic for a 6-4, 215-pounder. He'll have his pick of colleges.

Delivering to O'Leary will be returning quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is also a sensational basketball player. On the gridiron, he accounted for 1,982 yards passing and 26 scores.

Joining an already-large offensive line will likely be Patrick Miller, a 6-7 transfer from Benjamin. He can also play tight end, but may see time at defensive end as well. The other returning mega recruit is also a defensive end, Curt Maggitt. He's recovering from off-season surgery, but should be at full strength by the start of the season. He'll be joined on the defensive line by tackle Keith Bowers.

The secondary, led by by Darrell Hunter, will also be talented and should feature impressive junior Julian Whigham, who can also play receiver. While Dwyer admittedly struggled in its spring game, a 26-18 loss to Palm Bay (Melbourne, Fla.), it could provide the extra motivation needed to hit the ground running in August.

7. Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.), 14-0, CIF Southern Section Northern Division champions

It's hard for a 14-0 team to legitimately play with a chip on its shoulder, but Westlake will undoubtedly open its 2010 season with something to prove. Beating the likes of St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) and Moorpark (Calif.) wasn't enough to convince the CIF Bowl Games selection committee that the Warriors were deserving of a bid.

Now, 2010 will likely be a different tale for Westlake, which should boast one of the most efficient offenses in the country. Nick Isham returns at quarterback after completing an astounding 137 of 185 passes and 30 touchdowns. He rushed for 13 more.

Isham has two superb weapons returning in wide receiver Nelson Spruce, who had 65 catches for 1,325 yards and 18 TDs last season. Add running back Tavior Mowry, who rushed for 1,323 yards, and the Warriors should have no troubling scoring in droves.

According to MaxPreps correspondent Martin Henderson, Westlake will be solid on defense, as well, returning eight starters from a unit that allowed 219 points last season. What really stood out about Westlake's run to an undefeated season in 2009 was the team's reliance on young talent to play critical roles on both sides of the ball. In addition to its "Big Three" juniors, Westlake also relied on 6-4 offensive lineman Johnny Stuart and 6-3 defensive lineman Justin Solis, a MaxPreps sophomore All-American.

The Warriors also had six freshmen on the roster last year, most of whom had varsity-ready dimensions. The questions that the Warriors will face will have little to do with their talent and more to do with their schedule. If they run the table once again, and beat St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), they are still not guaranteed a Bowl Game berth.

Suffice to say, Jim Benkert's squad will do everything it can on the field to prove to the CIF decision-makers that it belongs among Southern California's best.

6. West Monroe (La.), 15-0, 5A state champs

The Rebels reigned supreme a year ago, staking their claim atop the Louisiana high school football world once again.

Their quest for another 5A title culiminated in a defensive gem against Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.) in which the Rebels pitched a 30-0 shutout, controlling the game from start to finish.

The biggest star on that squad, defensive end Jordan Allen, is gone, but don't expect much slow-down from West Monroe. This team has the pieces to be even better in 2010.

Quarterback and running back will both feature returning starters in Paul Turner and Tyler Cain, respectively. Turner is an exciting runner who's also accurate throwing the ball. Cain averaged nearly nine yards per carry and found the end zone on 15 occasions. Rebels faithful expect big things from junior running back Dennis Goodin, giving West Monroe yet another option in the backfield.

Fullback Bubba Reeves is also in the mix, helping to make West Monroe's offense one of the most potent in the area. Questions exist about the offensive line but with 33 seniors expected on next year's squad, there's little doubt that the unit will come together.

The defensive line is another story. In the middle, Chuck Hunter is a highly coveted tackle. He'll be complemented on the edge by linebacker/defensive end Terrell Lathan, a junior who will be a major recruit as well. All-state linebacker Jonathan Tyson will be a huge presence after making 81 tackles and four sacks in 2009. With this group of players, West Monroe is the prohibitive favorite in Louisiana's 5A, and a definite threat at a mythical national title.

5. Grant (Sacramento, Calif.), 12-1

Nine defensive starters return for Grant, which allowed only 68 points all of last season.

The Pacers were untouchable for 12 games before being shocked in the playoffs by Rocklin (Calif.), 21-19. This year's iteration of the Pacers' defense will be seasoned, motivated, and physically impressive. The 2010 Pacers have the potential to be even better than the 2008 team that stunned Long Beach Poly (Calif.) in the CIF Open Division Bowl game.

Following the victory over Long Beach Poly, head coach Mike Alberghini had to fill many holes with only three returning starters, none of whom played defense. Led by junior Vei Moala, the 2009 Pacers have paved the way for the 2010 Pacers to be special.

Moala is one of the finest defensive tackles in the nation. He stand 6-3, weighs 325 pounds, and is nearly immovable in the middle of the defensive line. He had 105 tackles and 15 sacks. Joining him on the defensive line are Darryl Paulo and Faigame Lopa, who combined for a whopping 210 tackles and 27 sacks.

There may not be a better defensive line in the country.

The back two lines are stout as well with the return of safety Shaquille Thompson and linebacker James Sample. Thompson will also be critical in the team's offensive scheme, as he'll be asked to replace some of the production of running back Devontae Butler, who put together a monster season with 2,884 yards and 45 touchdowns.

Thompson, currently a sophomore, just won the Sac-Joaquin Section 200-meter dash and is headed for the state meet. At 6-1 and 190 pounds, Thompson is a physical specimen. He's the younger brother of Syd'Quan Thompson, an All-Pac-10 defensive back at Cal and 2010 seventh-round pick of the Broncos.

Compared to last year, replacing this year's graduated seniors should be easy. The Pacers traditionally have very successful junior varsity programs and will be able to call on unproven players next year.

In an intriguing season-opening showdown, Grant's defense will be put to the test against Folsom (Calif.), which features dynamic quarterback Dano Graves. Folsom averaged more than 46 points per game last year. Sacramento-area fans will be treated to the immovable object taking on the irresistible force.

4. South Panola (Batesville, Miss.), 14-1, 6A state champs

Few teams in the country will blend supreme returning talent with top-notch coaching as well as South Panola.

The Tigers have lost just twice in their last 105 games and have not slowed down in the Lance Pogue era. Last year, the captured the state's first-ever 6A crown by blasting Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 56-14 in the championship game. Their title run also featured a 36-21 pounding of nationally-ranked Madison Central (Miss.), which many people felt might get the better of the Tigers.

If you couldn't beat the Tigers in 2009, you probably won't be able to beat them in 2010. They return a whopping 18 starters and countless Division I prospects across positions. South Panola's most highly-touted player is athlete Nickolas Brassell, back at receiver after catching 63 passes for 1,191 yards and 13 TDs.

The Tigers need to replace Nicholas Parker and Dominique Carothers in the backfield, but Kendrick Market and Qyendairs Griffin appear up to the task. When he's not taking handoffs from returning QB Lee Self, Market takes snaps out of the Wildcat formation as well as plays safety.

Issac Gross and Temario Strong are two explosive defensive ends that will both likely show even further improvement in their junior seasons. The duo combined for 22 sacks last year. Taylor Rotenberry, who recorded eight sacks himself, is also back and will be a major contributor once again.

However, the most talented unit on the field for the Tigers may be the secondary. In addition to Market, also roaming between the sidelines will be sophomore Antonio Connor. The 6-2, 190-pounder debuted on varsity as a freshman and made an instant impact. He's already being heavily recruited, and could be the next super recruit from South Panola.

Out-of-state challenges loom on the Tigers' schedule in 2010. South Panola will hope to exact revenge on Memphis University (Tenn.), the only team to beat the Tigers last season. A game against emerging Georgia power Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) will be one of the team's biggest hurdles to an undefeated, championship season for what was the potential to be the best South Panola team in recent memory.

3. Abilene (Texas), 15-0, 5A-II state champs

No team in the country had a more meteoric rise in 2009 than the Abilene Eagles.

Largely overlooked in preseason rankings in Texas, let alone across the country, Abilene caught the attention of fans nationwide by posting a flawless 15-0 record and topping some of the most well-respected programs in the state.

The Eagles won't catch anyone by surprise in 2010, as they return one of the deadliest quarterback-running back duos in the country in cousins Ronnell and Herschel Sims.

Herschel, the 5-10, 185-pound senior running back, was one of the nation's most productive players last season. He compiled 2,337 rushing yards and 31 TDs as a junior en route to All-American honors. He also proved to be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, as he was responsible for 429 receiving yards and five scores.

Ronnell was the definition of a dual threat, passing for 1,752 yards and rushing for another 1,185.

Tony Curtis, who also saw significant carries, will be yet another weapon in coach Steve Warren's arsenal. Perhaps the most athletically gifted Eagle is wide receiver 6-1 receiver Darius Joseph. Joseph missed time last season due to a pinched nerve. While healthy, he was a true game-changer, hauling in three TD passes of over 50 yards in just six games.

The defense returns the likes of Sawyer Tallant and Josh Jones at linebacker, and in the secondary, Jake Brooks and Gibson Agulrre.

The defensive front, just like the offensive line, will need to mature quickly. If both units quickly find replacements, then the skill players should run wild once again. Early-season showdowns with Franklinton (La.), Cocoa (Fla.), and Plant (Tampa, Fla.) will be great indicators for just how well the team has gelled in the trenches.

2. Butler (Matthews, N.C.) 15-0, 4A-I state champs

Fans of North Carolina high school football should get accustomed to seeing Butler perched atop the state's top spot.

The Bulldogs completed a perfect 15-0 season in 2009 highlighted by two victories over arch-rival Independence (Charlotte, N.C.). In 2010, Butler will open as the top team in the Tar Heel State, blending some talented new faces with some key returners from last year's championship team.

Of course, any talk of Butler should begin with quarterback Christian Lemay, the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year in 2009, who threw for 3,291 yards and 44 TDs a year ago. It will be hard to top that level of production, but if there's anyone in the country capable of it, it's the hard-working Lemay.

While the offense will revolve around Lemay, the Bulldogs have a very capable backup in sophomore Riley Ferguson. According to head coach Mike Newsome, Ferguson received an unofficial offer from LSU as a freshman, and is more advanced than Lemay at the same age.

Uriah Lemay, another super sophomore for Butler, will see time at slot receiver as well. The younger brother of Christian, Uriah already owns scholarship offers from Clemson and Auburn.

The offensive line will need to be rebuilt, but running back Jawaun Edwards is back. Additionally, the team should benefit by a new school joining the Mecklenburg school district; the Bulldogs could add talented players from other programs as the lines are redrawn.

Defensively, the team will be rock-solid. Linebacker Kris Frost and transfer Osvaldo Sombo, a linebacker/defensive end who was an all-conference selection last year at East Mecklenburg, are two players that opponents will need to account for at all times.

Arguably the most talented player on that defensive side of the ball for Butler will be Peter Kalambayi, a 6-3, 225-pound linebacker who represents another member of the class of 2013 with college offers.

If Butler does stumble in 2010, it could be at the hands of Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.), a rising North Carolina program that returns star quarterback Marquise Williams. Still, the Bulldogs are primed to repeat as state champs.

1. Trinity (Euless, Texas), 14-2, 5A-I state champions

It may not be an "odd" year for Euless Trinity, but there's still a lot about the 2010 Trojans that's far from normal.

The Trojans, state champions in 2005, 2007 and 2009, have made a habit of winning state titles in years that end with a prime number. However, the 2010 version has all the pieces in place to help head coach Steve Lineweaver and cast capture a fourth state title in six seasons.

For starters, running back Tevin Williams is returning in the backfield. The Trojans made their playoff run without Williams, after he suffered an ACL tear at the end of the regular season. Williams rushed for nine touchdowns starting as a sophomore in 2008, and prior to his injury last season, he averaged 117 yards per game.

He'll be running behind standout junior linemen Hiva Lutui and Henry Lea'aetoa. Lutui stands 6-3, 275 pounds, while Lea'aetoa tips the scales at 6-3, 290 pounds. They'll be joined by star tight end Nila Kneubuhl, who also missed the playoffs in 2009.

At quarterback, the Trojans will likely have talented senior Brandon Carter calling the shots. Carter was a standout receiver for the team last year, and hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give Trinity a dramatic victory over Westlake (Austin, Texas) in the 5A-I finals. He possesses good arm strength and accuracy, and will be able to use his legs as a weapon.

Defensively, Suleiman Masumbuko leads the charge up front. He'll have plenty of help from a group of promising underclassmen, including junior Polo Manukainu. Jonathan Yenga will power the linebacking unit, while the secondary will be led by Ilaiu Moeakiola, already emerging as a major college prospect.

In total, 14 starters return for the Trojans. Buzz around the Dallas area is that this could be the most talented team on paper that Lineweaver has ever started the season with. It certainly won't be an easy road to another title, as capturing a crown in Texas' 5A never is. But come December, expect to see Euless Trinity in hunt for a state — and national — championship.