MaxPreps 2012 Rhode Island preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012 Rhode Island Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. La Salle Academy (Providence)
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Jeff Marcone
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La Salle took an undefeated record against in-state opponents into last season's RIIL Division I final against Bishop Hendricken, but fell three points shy of the title. That was after beating Henricken by 25 points during the regular season. Marcone has his entire receiving corps back, as well as running back Josh Morris in the quest to address unfinished business. La Salle Academy ranks atop our list of Rhode Island's Top 10 most consistent football programs.

2. Portsmouth
2011 finish: 7-4
Head coach: Ryan Moniz
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Austin Szczepaniak has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, and is now a senior for the Patriots. They also have back senior QB Chavous Bobby (1,010 yards passing in 2011, 485 yards rushing) and running back Matt Greenman. If Portsmouth can come up with a strong line and limit its points surrendered against the top teams, it should be in the thick of the race for No. 1.

3. Bishop Hendricken (Warwick)
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Keith Croft
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The Hawks made it two straight titles last Decemeber with their 17-14 win over La Salle, but graduated 20 seniors. You don't become a marquee franchise, though, without the ability to reload. OLB Jarrid Witherspoon, OLB Marco Delvecchio, OL Nick DeCiantis, MLB Erik Olson and DL/OL Mario McClain lead the way among the veterans. Croft has some extremely talented sophomores at quarterback and running back that should make their presence felt, if not early then by the end of the season. Bishop Hendricken ranks No. 2 on our June, 2011 list of the Top 10 Rhode Island football dynasties.

4. Cranston East
2011 finish: 3-8
Head coach: Tom Centore
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Sometimes addition by subtraction can make for sound math...and a great outlook. Cranston East probably should have been better than 3-8 last season, but the group didn't get the job done in close games. This year's team will be younger, but Centore likes the makeup and the chemistry. No one should have a better wide receiver in the state than 6-foot-3 junior Marven Beauvais, and the Thunderbolt quarterbacks were impressing during the summer in lighting up the 7 on 7 passing tournaments. You can find Cranston East on our list of Rhode Island state football champions for the past nine years.

5. Cumberland
2011 finish: 8-4
Head coach: Chris Skurka
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On one hand, the Clippers seem to be an odd choice for this spot, given that they're a Division II team and didn't have a particularly impressive season in 2011. But Skurka lost only a handful of seniors from a team that reached the RIIL semifinals and has most of his top performers back this fall, including a deep skill set. Workhorse Ryan Gaumond had 92 carries, seven pass receptions and 63 tackles on defense as a junior a year ago. Search for Cumberland players on our list of Rhode Island 2011 All-Division football teams.