MaxPreps 2013 Ohio preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2013 Ohio Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard 1. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
2012 finish: 12-3
Coach: John Rodenberg
Team preview

The defending Division I state champs return five offensive and four defensive starters with at least eight Division I prospects. Two already have committed. Free safety Sam Hubbard (6-6, 220) has chosen Ohio State after making 27 solo and 31 assisted tackles, along with two interceptions, as a junior. Senior offensive tackle Stephen Langenkamp (6-4, 280) has chosen Ohio University. Gus Ragland (6-2, 205) will move from wide receiver back to the quarterback position he played as a freshman and sophomore. He had 30 catches for 358 yards and four touchdowns as a junior.

See the Top 15 Ohio football dynasties

2. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
2012 finish: 6-5
Coach: Steve Specht
Team preview



Don't be surprised if the Bombers end up as state champions in 2013. They return 13 starters (seven on defense) and boast at least seven Division I seniors with an emphasis on the skill positions. Veteran coach Steve Specht calls senior quarterback Nick Tensing (6-5, 215) the best he's ever had. Tensing threw for 2,041 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 510 yards last year. He threw just seven interceptions out of 298 attempts. Senior tailback C.J. Hilliard (5-9, 190) — a University of Iowa recruit — has run for over 1,100 yards during his career, while senior wide receiver Ryan Frey (6-2, 180) has 58 career catches for 782 yards and six touchdowns. Three super juniors are linebacker Justin Hilliard (6-2, 230), nose guard Simeon Lane (6-0, 295) and corner/running back Ben Glines (6-1, 200).

See our Ohio football professional photo galleries

3. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
2012 finish: 11-2
Coach: Chuck Kyle
Team preview

The Wildcats return eight starters and always are in the hunt not only for state but also for national honors under veteran coach Chuck Kyle. Senior offensive tackle Jimmy Byrne (6-4, 290) already has chosen the University of Notre Dame. The three-year starter blocked at 94 percent efficiency last year and allowed no sacks. Senior linebacker Kyle Berger (6-3, 215) has chosen Ohio State after leading his team in tackles last year. He had 44 solos, 52 assists, 38 for losses and 8.5 sacks. Senior strong safety Dameon Willis (6-1, 210) had 35 solo, 47 assisted tackles and 14 for losses last year, along with three interceptions.

See last season's Ohio football playoff brackets

4. Colerain (Cincinnati)
2012 finish: 12-1
Coach: Tom Bolden
Team preview



The Cardinals again will contend for the Division I state title with 12 returning starters — split evenly between offense and defense — and a potential eight Division I college prospects from among those starters. Linebacker Tegray Scales (6-1, 222) and running back Detuan Smith Smith (5-6, 183) are two seniors who also stand out in wrestling. Scales, who bench presses 405 pounds, had 101 tackles, 24 for losses, and forced six fumbles last year. Smith, who benches 345 pounds, scored 14 touchdowns out of a highly effective triple-option offense. Senior safety Ryan Williamson (6-0, 180) made 47 tackles and five interceptions last year. He runs the 40 in 4.48 seconds and coach Tom Bolden said, "If I was in a phone booth with him, I probably couldn't tackle him." Kelvin Cook (5-10, 170), will switch from wide receiver to quarterback in his final season. Bolden calls him "lightning in a bottle. He absolutely can fly."

See last season's final Ohio football rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

5. St. Edward (Lakewood)
2012 finish: 11-1
Coach: Rick Finotti
Team preview

The Eagles will build around 12 returning starters (seven on offense) and a very strong junior class. Senior leaders will be defensive back Jack Walz (6-0, 195) and two-way lineman Tyler King (6-3, 250). Last year Walz made 35 tackles. King made 50 tackles, 12 for losses, and blocked at 90 percent. Two particularly outstanding players from the junior class are wide receiver/defensive back David Dowell (6-1, 175) and defensive back Shaun Crawford (5-10, 160). Dowell had 18 catches, three for touchdowns. Crawford had 57 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Linebackers Troy Dipre and Ralph Nichols had 65 and 63 tackles, respectively.

See last season's Ohio All-Conference football teams