MaxPreps 2015 North Dakota preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Jaxon Ford's highlights vs. Minot High School
See Bismarck High's all-state running back in action last season.


1. Bismarck
Coach: Mark Gibson
2014 finish: 9-1
Team preview

The Demons have won four Class AAA state championships since 2008 and have won seven conference championships in a row. Coach Mark Gibson returns seven starters from last year's team, whose only loss came in the playoffs to Minot/Dakota Memorial. Top returning players include all-state players Jaxon Ford (running back) and Brayden Thomas (defensive end).

2. Fargo Davies
Coach: Jason Thielges
2014 finish: 11-1
Team preview

The Class AAA state champions defeated Minot/Dakota Memorial 41-10 last year for the state championship. It marked the first appearance in the state finals for the Eagles, who return three second-team all-state players in Ty Jochim (running back), Jacob West (tackle) and JD Arguelles (running back). Jochim finished second in the Eastern Dakota Conference with 957 yards while Arguelles posted eight touchdowns during the year.

3. St. Mary's Central (Bismarck)
Coach: Dan Smrekar
2014 finish: 12-0
Team preview

The Class AA state champions have won back-to-back titles, but they will have to overcome the loss of six all-state first-team selections. Sam Wilke is the top returning player for the Saints, as he earned second-team all-state honors as a quarterback/safety last year. St. Mary's Central has gone 23-1 over the past two seasons after posting a record of 26-48 over the previous eight seasons combined.

4. Minot/Dakota Memorial (Minot)
Coach: Barry Holmen
2014 finish: 7-4
Team preview

The Magicians pulled off some magic at the end of last season, winning four games in a row (after starting the season 3-3) to reach the Class AAA championship game. Minot returns its top two offensive players from last year in quarterback Ben Bolinske (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) and tight end Brayden Lund (6-3, 237).

5. Hazen
Coach: Rick Philion
2014 finish: 10-1
Team preview

The winner of the Class A state championship in 2012 and 2013, Hazen could return to championship form in 2015 after losing just one game last year. A total of 13 starters return (seven on defense), including defensive end Denzel Sanders (6-1, 230), and linebackers Wyatt Carr (6-4, 220) and Jonah Zimmerman (6-2, 225).