MaxPreps 2013 New Hampshire preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2013 New Hampshire Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Exeter
Head coach: William Ball
2012 finish: 11-1
Team preview

Exeter, which won last season's Division 1 championship in New Hampshire, will be lacking in experience in the backfield, but will be bolstered with its entire front seven returning. That includes all-state lineman Neil Vorster, who doubles as a linebacker. Because of the offense the Blue Hawks run, the straight T and Delaware Wing-T, that experience will be what matters most. But it helps that they have a talented crop of underclassmen coming of age. Watch out for 6-6 free safety Max Medley, as well as linebackers Ryan Kelly, Mitch Harrington and Zack Adler, and nose guard Colin Richardson on defense.

"Guys will need to mature in the offensive backfield," coach William Ball said. "We got about six or seven kids vying for a position."

See the Top 15 New Hampshire football dynasties

2. Pinkerton (Derry)
Head coach: Brian O'Reilly
2012 finish: 10-2
Team preview

Last year's Division 1 runner-up brings back top-flight running back Manny Latimore. Latimore ran for more than 1,400 yards in 2012 and appears to be the top running back in the state.

"Pinkerton is a team that's always at the top," said William Ball, the coach for rival Exeter.

See last season's all-division teams from New Hampshire

3. Nashua South
Head coach: Scott Knight
2012 finish: 6-6
Team preview

The Purple Panthers, who return 14 of 22 starters from last season's playoff run, will once again feature all-state quarterback Trevor Knight. Knight, along with all-state defensive end/offensive tackle Brayden Hollowell and all-state defensive tackle Kelmy Anziani, will help lead a younger, talented team, coach Scott Knight said.

"The strength of our team is we have a real solid junior class," Knight said. "And a good amount of our starters are sophomores. These young kids put a real good offseason in."

See last season's NHIAA playoff brackets

4. Winnacunnet (Hampton)
Head coach: Rob Auffant
2012 finish: 12-1
Team preview

With 12 players on the Division 2 all-state team in 2012, the Warriors are sure to compete again. They'll just have to do so on the Division 1 level. They'll have all-state wide receiver Alec Boucher to help with the move.

5. Concord
Head coach: Eric Brown
2012 finish: 6-4
Team preview

Coaches have pointed to Concord as this year's sleeper, a team with a deep pool of talent and a strong number of returnees.

"They have a lot of kids back," said Exeter coach William Ball. "And they've been knocking on the door. They got two good linebackers, they're really good at wideout and experienced at running back."