High School Football Top 25 Preseason Early Contenders

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Picking the best 25 high school football teams from a pool of more than 15,000 squads nationally appears akin to searching for needles in the proverbial haystack.

But records, coaching continuity, previous championships and the ever-increasing resources to locate top-end talent — Hudl, recruiting sites, highlight reels — has allowed for better educated stabs to choose the cream-of-the-crop squads. Click the banner above for a look at who will make a run at No. 1 in 2016. CLICK HERE ON MOBILE

The power states continue to be well-represented here with nine more teams from California, Florida and Texas. But Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Hawaii and Utah also make an appearance.

Looking for perennial powers like Allen, De La Salle and Don Bosco Prep? Click the banner above to see if they made the cut. CLICK HERE ON MOBILE

Terrelle Pryor, Derrick Henry and Kyler Murray are among the names that have garnered MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors since 2007. And don't forget about the defensive guys – Georgia lineman Derrick Brown came away with the award in 2015.



Who will emerge as high school football's most outstanding performer this fall? Click on the banner above for 10 of the brightest candidates. CLICK HERE ON MOBILE

Coaches talk the talk about scheduling tough and challenging their team in-state and out. But who's truly walking the walk when it comes to taking on all-comers? Click the banner above for a look at which teams charted the toughest courses this fall. CLICK HERE ON MOBILE

Is there a chance for No. 1 to meet No. 2 this season in high school football? Keep an eye on Sept. 30. Click the banner above to find out who will tangle in the biggest game of the season.