2016 New York preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: 2015 highlights - Antonio Giannico
See the Archbishop Stepinac star in action


1. Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains)
Head coach: Mike O'Donnell
2015 record: 12-0
Team preview

There's no questioning the array of talent on the Crusaders' roster. Neither is the fact that pulling off an encore performance after enjoying the best season in school history won't be easy.

Stepinac won the CHSAA state title, beating St. Francis (Buffalo) 42-28 to complete a perfect season.

Among the players back for more is senior standout Antonio Giannico, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back/linebacker who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds. Also back are classmates Louis Blackwell (linebacker), Gene Brown jr (defensive end), Devonte Myles (defensive back), Izayah Powell (defensive back) and Devante Reid (receiver/defensive back) and junior Atrilleon Williams (running back/defensive back).

See the New York computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Aquinas Institute (Rochester)
Head coach: Chris Battaglia
2015 finish: 13-0
Team preview It's been an astonishing run of success the past decade for 11th-year coach Battaglia. Though a stellar senior class led Aquinas to its 2015 exploits (led by Penn State incoming freshman quarterback Jake Zembiec), there's plenty of talent returning, including 6-5 senior receiver Jason Hawkes, classmate Damon Burton jr (running back/linebacker) and Jimmy Depetres (guard).

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3. Longwood (Middle Island)
Head coach: Jeff Cipp
2015 finish: 11-1
Team preview

Latrell Horton, a 6-foot, 235-pound fullback/linebacker, is one of the state's peak performers. He was one of the stars of the Lions' 47-28 win against Farmingdale in the Long Island championship game, Longwood's first LIC title since 2004.

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4. New Rochelle
Head coach: Lou DiRienzo
2015 finish: 11-1
Team preview

New Ro's 2015 season ended in a 32-29 state semifinal loss to Saratoga Springs. A potential game-tying field goal attempt sailed wide as time winded down. New Rochelle's last game resulted in its first loss. But while that setback still stings, there's plenty of talent returning for the Huguenots to make it back to the Final Four – and beyond. Two of the team's top players are juniors: running back/linebacker Jared Baron (5-7, 180) and quarterback/linebacker Jonathan Saddler (6-2, 210).

See the MaxPreps New York high school football playoff brackets

5. Shaker (Latham)
Head coach: Greg Sheeler
2015 finish: 9-1
Team preview

The Blue Bison are bolstered by a big group of returnees, and in the case of senior center/tackle Brendan Morrison, we mean that quite literally. He's 6-3, 280 pounds. Also back are Eric Ossini (linebacker) and Kwasi Addo (running back/linebacker).

Multimedia news and sports editor, manager and producer Joe Lombardi is director of media initiatives and managing editor of the DailyVoice.com, as well as the primary author of the most recent edition of "Lacrosse for Dummies." Follow Joe on Twitter @Joe_Lombardi.