MaxPreps 2017 New Hampshire preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Highlights of Connor Robert
Watch the Bedford quarterback carve up secondaries last season en route to a state title.


1. Bedford
2016 record: 12-0
Head coach: Kurt Hines

The Bulldogs are coming off a banner season that featured 363 points scored against just 123 allowed, including a rugged 7-0 win over Exetar in the Division I state finals. The defense gave up just 27 points in the playoffs.

It was Bedford's first unbeaten season and it comes eight years since the team went 0-9 followed by a season of 2-7. Since then, Bedford has gone a combined 61-16-1.

Expect a big year from quarterback Connor Robert.

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2. Windham
2016 record: 10-1
Head coach: Bill Raycraft

The Jaguars have some unfinished business. They won 10 straight games in dominating fashion last season — by a combined 507-116 count — before a bitter 20-18 loss to eventual champion Plymouth in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs.

Windham, which lost in the 2015 state finals, was the top seed last season.

With the return of quarterback Cody Potter (6-0, 165), the Jags are in good shape. With a 122-man roster, Windham should have plenty of depth. In three season under Raycraft, the Jags have gone 31-3.

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3. Plymouth
2016 record: 10-2
Head coach: Christopher Sanborn

The Bobcats finished off the season in style with four straight wins including thrilling 27-24 win over Bow to claim the state Division II title.

Plymouth outscored foes 363-179 last season and since 2004, it has gone 117-20. The Bobcats had five straight 11-0 seasons starting in 2005 and have won 22 state crowns overall.

The Bobcats expect another big season from 5-11, 220-pound running back Garrett Macomber.
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4. Merrimack
2016 record: 9-2
Head coach: Kip Jackson

The Tomahawks return one of the state's most versatile players in 6-foot, 190-pound slot backs Joe Eichman, who was the team's leading receiver but also is a fantastic runner.

Earlier this month, Eichman received a scholarship offer from Bryant University.

Merrimack lost in the state Division I semifinals to eventual champion Bedford 27-20. Jackson's high-powered offense piled up more than 40 points per game, scoring 460 while giving up 192.

Other top players should be middle linebacker Nick Marchand (5-10, 190) and junior strong safety Tristan Wood (5-11, 185).

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5. Salem
2016 record: 6-4
Head coach: Roger Pike

The Blue Devils scored 281 points in 2016 and gave up 227, losing 33-7 to eventual champion Bedford in the first round of the state Division I playoffs.

Salem has won four state titles, the last coming in 2009. The others were 1975, 1983 and 1995. The Blue Devils are due.

They return starting quarterback Matt Soldano.