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

Video: Hayden Specht's highlights vs. Archbishop Moeller
See the St. Xavier player in action last season against another Fab 5 team.


1. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
Coach: Steve Specht
2014 finish: 10-3
Team preview

Coach Specht has made winning a consistency in his time at St. Xavier and the 2014 season was no exception, as the Bombers ran their playoff streak to six straight appearances. Though they ended up falling short of a state title berth, they may be the state's finest product when 2015 comes to a close. Returning for Specht is a team oozing with talent, starting with Penn State commit Sean Clifford, who lines up under center had flashes of brilliance as a sophomore. Clifford's arsenal will consist of a pair of dynamic athletes in Noah Davis, a Michigan State commit, and Andrew Homer, who will play tight end and wide receiver. The Bombers' offense will be a well-tuned machine when opening day rolls around and a scary sight for opponents.

The biggest questions for St. Xavier will lie on the defensive side. Losing a player like Justin Hillard, among others, is never a quick fix. Though the losses will hurt, key returners Hayden Specht and Elijah Payne should help stabilize the unit while others get up to speed.

Playing in Division I in the state of Ohio may be some of the toughest football competition the country has to offer. With out-of-state powers such as Cathedral of Indianapolis and St. Xavier of Louisville, mixed in with the tough competition Ohio has to offer, this year's schedule for coach Specht's team will rank amongst the toughest across the country.

See the Top 11 teams with the most all-time Ohio state titles

2. Colerain (Cincinnati)
Coach: Tom Bolden
2014 finish: 8-4
Team preview

An 8-4 finish is not something that the Colerain faithful are familiar with. The same goes for coach Bolden and his teams. A second-round playoff loss ended the season for the Cardinals a year ago but this season should be far different. A total of 16 starters return for Colerain, which may be the best explanation for the high expectations.

The Cardinals boast talent all over the field, starting with explosive athlete Deshaunte Jones. From the quarterback position a season ago, he broke the 1,000-yard mark in both the rushing and passing categories, compiling a total of 2,475 yards and 29 touchdowns. Senior tight end Nathan Niehaus may be Jones' top option offensively.

The strongest feature of Bolden's team this season may be the defense. Led by a frightening secondary that features Amir Riep and Darryll Gardner, complemented by Kyle Bolden anchoring the linebacking unit, this defense has all the makings of a stingy one.

Coach Bolden will run out one of the most exciting football teams in the state when the season opens, and Colerain should be a top contender come playoff time.

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3. La Salle (Cincinnati)
Coach: Jim Hilvert
2014 finish: 14-1
Team preview

La Salle captured its first football state championship in school history a year ago under the guidance of coach Nate Moore, and finished with the No. 21 ranking in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. Moore has moved on and the Lancers usher in new head coach Jim Hilvert.

There will be no lack of experience from Hilvert, who spent the last eight seasons as the head coach at Thomas More College. In his first season at La Salle, he will have all the means to capture the school's second state championship with a Lancer squad that is stacked. Backfield mates Nick Watson and Jeremy Larkin will be a scary 1-2 punch to match up against. Watson enters his fourth year as the starting quarterback for the Lancers and Larkin is coming off a ridiculous junior campaign in which he notched 38 rushing touchdowns and racked up 2,500 yards. Adding to the lethal combination will be Josh Gebing, who was the lead receiver a season ago.

Coach Hilvert's team should give him all the opportunity to have an impressive first season as a Lancer. The season opener against Carmel of Indiana should be a great early test for the new head coach.

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4. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
Coach: Charles Kyle
2014 finish: 7-5
Team preview

The Wildcats come into the new season with a bit of a bitter taste in their mouths after finishing 7-5 in 2014 and an early exit from the playoffs. Over the years, that is not something that neither coach Kyle nor his teams have been familiar with.

The Wildcats' offense is loaded with weapons and size across the board and looks to be the strong suit for St. Ignatius. Senior quarterback Dennis Grosel returns, and maybe his biggest asset will be standing behind Liam Eichenberg, who checks in at 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, and has plans to further his football career at Notre Dame next fall. Outside of the protection from Eichenberg, Grosel will be equipped with a talented receiving group that includes Jack Cook and Calvin Grbac, both coming off productive junior seasons.

A brutal back end of the schedule has the Wildcats facing Moeller, St. Xavier and St. Edward in the final three weeks of the season in what could end up being the ultimate preparation for the playoffs. This offensive unit has all the makings up putting up points in bunches and coach Kyle's rich history of winning has a great change of returning to form in 2015.

See last season's Ohio football computer rankings

5. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
Coach: John Rodenberg
2014 finish: 10-4
Team preview

Moeller's loss in the state semifinals last season ended its run at capturing a third-consecutive state championship. The good news for the Fighting Crusaders is that they should be right back in the thick of things when November rolls around. Like many others, coach Rodenberg will be tasked with filling some holes due to graduation. That being said, he returns some eye-popping talent that should help the Crusaders hit the ground running.

Quarterback Thomas MacVittie and tight end Jake Hausmann both return on the offensive side of the ball in what could end up being a lethal combination as the season progresses. Hausmann may be arguably the country's best tight end and has committed to play for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes at Ohio State, while MacVittie has given his word to Pitt.

Defensively, Rodenberg's squad will not be overshadowed. A unit led by seniors Ryan Smith and John Griga, who play defensive end and linebacker, respectively, will be a bruising force for the Crusaders.

Rodenberg has set up a brutal schedule that includes an opening-day tilt with Cathedral of Indianapolis, a mid-season matchup with New Jersey power Don Bosco Prep, and three away games against in-state powers to close the regular season. That is quite the gauntlet to run, but this team has the talent to come out of it with some victories.