Preseason Top 25 high school football early contenders

With spring football wrapping up and summer practice sessions on the horizon, MaxPreps takes a stab at identifying the Top 25 high school football teams heading into the fall.

No. 25 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) - Full preview
Strengths: Grayson brings back an experienced offense that showed glimpses of great potential last season. Nick Schuessler is the signal-caller, while running backs Devin Gillespie and Terrius Watson and receiver Korey Jones give the Rams a great balance of key offensive players back from last year’s team, which blew a late lead to Colquitt County in the AAAAA semifinals. Robert Nkemdiche, a sophomore last year, will be arguably one of the best defensive players in the country next year as a junior.

Question marks: As superb as Nkemdiche was last season, and for as good as he’ll be in 2011, the defense will need more players to step up, like opposite bookend Zack Barnes, a candidate for a breakout season. Nkemdiche should command extra attention on just about every play, which Grayson hopes will free up Barnes and others to make plays. The junior class is strong, but largely unproven.

Outlook: After a down year in Georgia, football in the Peach State should be very deep in 2011, featuring small-school powers like Sandy Creek and Buford as well as AAAAA heavyweights like Lowndes, Camden County and an uber-talented Stephenson team. Still, Grayson’s mix of consistency, offensive firepower and defensive playmakers gives it an edge heading into the fall.

No. 24 Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) - Full preview
Strengths: There’s no doubt about the areas in which Chaparral is strong, as the team should have one of the most explosive passing attacks that Arizona has ever seen. Quarterback Connor Brewer and receiver Davonte Neal, both Top 100 recruits, provide quite a spark. Brewer has other weapons in receivers Craig Roh, Zac Buzzard and Gary McKay, a sophomore. On defense, three starters return, not including defensive end Jarvis Lewis, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound physical specimen who transferred in after the season.



Question marks: Line play on both sides will make or break Chaparral. The defensive line boasts Lewis and several long, rangy players that coach Charlie Ragle feels will be able to step up admirably. The offensive line, which loses Andre Yruretagoyena, Peter McBride and Wes Schweitzer, all Division I players, will be more difficult to replace. The secondary, sans Colby Targun and Colton Bishop, also needs to be retooled.

Outlook: Last year, Chaparral scored averaged more than 51 points per game and this year returns the skill players to be even more potent. Pete Greene, Jordan Bronowitz, Eric Combs and the rest of the offensive line will dictate the course of Chaparral’s season. Even if the defense takes a step back from last season (certainly iffy given the young talent at Chaparral), the offense has a chance to really dial up points this season, provided Brewer has time in the pocket. Bishop Gorman, Chaparral’s opponent in the Sollenberger classic, will be a good barometer for the Firebirds’ season.

No. 23 Bellevue (Wash.) - Full preview
Strengths: Bellevue’s potent Wing-T offense should be extremely difficult to stop in 2011, as most of the Wolverines’ key backfield players return along with most of their offensive line. Quarterback Tyler Hasty will hand off on many plays to Latrell Dukes, the team’s leading rusher a year ago. Myles Jack, only a junior, should also contribute. The offensive line should be the team’s biggest strength; it could be the best that Bellevue has had in recent years. Linebacker Sean Constantine should excel as a junior.

Question marks: Turnovers were the main factor in Bellevue’s only loss last season, a 28-21 setback at the hands of Skyline. The Wolverines started a number of sophomores last year and gained great experience as a result. Still, this year’s team will be relatively young. Outside of Hasty, who will also double as a cornerback, Bellevue’s secondary will need to come together. Last season, the unit struggled at times against capable quarterbacks.

Outlook: Bellevue fans are excited for the upcoming season, with good reason. The Wolverines won the state’s 3A crown and finished 13-1 with a very young team. Historically, Bellevue has shown the ability to hang with top teams anywhere in the country, as head coach Butch Goncharoff has mastered the art of adding wrinkles to the team’s Wing-T scheme to make his offense extremely difficult to prepare for. If the defense develops according to plan, this will be an extremely good football team. Tangling with Oaks Christian to open the season will be a big test for Bellevue.

No. 22 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) - Full preview
Strengths: Ishmael Adams and Jordan Payton give Oaks Christian one of California’s best running backs and wide receivers, respectively. Quarterback Luke Falk, who transferred in from Utah, has the makings of a big recruit and should flourish in the Lions’ pass-friendly offense. The defense returns a great deal of experience and should be a pillar of the 2011 team. The defensive line returns five players that saw quality minutes a year ago, and both Cameron Judge and Carlos Mendoza are back at linebacker.



Question marks: Falk is far from a sure thing for Oaks Christian, as he has yet to earn the starting job. The interior offensive linemen all will be new. With so many transfers, including former Narbonne freshman standout Malik Cyphers and Oxnard linebacker Tyrone Faanono, it’s hard to know what to really expect from Oaks Christian. The pieces are in place, but team chemistry and cohesion could be the critical factor here.

Outlook: With regular season matchups against Westlake and a St. Bonaventure team that many people think could be as good or better than Oaks Christian, the Marmonte League will provide a good indication of how well the Lions will have come together this season. Head coach Bill Redell thinks this could be one of the better teams he’s had, if all of the transfers work out as planned. Look for the Lions to be a force around Southern California by the time September rolls around.

No. 21 Aledo (Texas) - Full preview
Strengths: Anyone who has seen Aledo over the last two seasons knows that the team’s strength lies with running back Johnathan Gray, who has already established himself as one of the top rushers in state history. Far from a one-trick pony, the Bearcats also bring back underrated quarterback Matthew Bishop, top wideout Michael Mann and three offensive linemen, including Texas A&M commit Michael Wilson. Aledo is riding a 29-game winning streak.

Question marks: Aledo will be more inexperienced on the defensive side of the ball, particularly up front and in the secondary. This team is not as deep as some of the top 5A teams in Texas, but its track record over the last two seasons speaks for itself. Still, any sort of injury to Gray would be a devastating blow to the Bearcats’ hopes of capturing a third consecutive state title. Stephenville, the team’s season-opening opponent and a team Aledo beat in the playoffs last season, returns several key players and will be an immediate test for the Bearcats.

Outlook: Head coach Tim Buchanan thinks that offensively, this could be his best team yet. That has to do as much with the rest of his returning pieces as it does with Gray. In fact, his should be among the top offenses in the state, and potentially, the country. It still has momentum from a 69-point outburst in the 4A-II final over La Marque. Jaylen Hill, Gunner Johnson, Dayne Davis and the rest of the defense will make or break Aledo.

Continue to 20-16 {PAGEBREAK}
No. 20 Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) - Full preview
Strengths: Last year’s 15-1 Trinity squad gave Shamrock fans a sign of things to come. Its explosive offense, which posted nearly 700 points, was impressive. Most of the key pieces return, including quarterback Travis Wright, receiver James Quick, running back Dalyn Dawkins and several offensive linemen. The Shamrocks’ defense, which was equally overwhelming at times, returns eight starters.

Question marks: Expectations have never been higher for Trinity, and, as with other teams on this list, the Shamrocks will have to handle both the pressure and the spotlight that comes with those expectations. Although Trinity has a bounty of returning starters, it will be without last season’s leading rusher, Derek Bishop. The other big question mark is how Trinity will stack up against a schedule that features Montgomery Bell Academy and three big Cincinnati Catholic schools. In the past, Trinity has had otherwise flawless seasons ruined by out-of-state competition.



Outlook: This should be Trinity’s strongest team in the Bob Beatty era. It’s extremely well-rounded, gifted with high-level talent,and already has the experience of a 6A title under its belt. The 2011 Shamrocks will face a gauntlet of difficult teams, including St. Xavier, which handed Trinity its only loss last season but was beaten by five other teams.

No. 19 St. Xavier (Cincinnati) - Full preview
Strengths: The Bombers' offense returns more players this season than head coach Steve Specht is accustomed to. Quarterback Griffin Dolle is back, with running back Connor Hundley and wide receivers Trey Kilgore and Kevin Milligan also returning. Returning starters Brandyn Cook and Alex Breen lead an offensive line that should be very strong, as St. Xavier has plenty of returning size to fill in for graduating linemen. St. Xavier’s defense is almost always dependable, one of Specht's trademarks.

Question marks: Outside of defensive end Bryson Albright, St. X will have some work to do in rebuilding its defensive line. The linebackers suffered the biggest hit, losing Steven Daniels and Sean Duggan, who both signed with Boston College. Nate Gerbus returns; he’ll need to assume a leadership role on defense. As always, the Bombers’ schedule is grueling and could take its toll on the team’s health as the season wears on.

Outlook: St. Xavier is one of the largest all-boys high schools in the country. With well over 100 players on its varsity roster last season, there should be plenty of qualified candidates to fill in for vacant spots, a process that happens each year for the Bombers. That’s why the team’s eight returning starters on offense is an indicator that this St. Xavier squad could be significantly better than last year’s team, provided the defense develops as Specht would like.

No. 18 Warren Central (Indianapolis) - Full preview
Strengths: Warren Central has more talent than just about any team in the country. Twelve seniors have offers, led by defensive tackle Sheldon Day and transfer Tyrone Pearson, a defensive end. Running back Deionte Buckley, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year, has already committed to Cincinnati, along with defensive ends Jonathan Burt and Josh Posley. Defensive back Jordan Shine is bound for Purdue.

Question marks: Quarterback is certainly a question mark right now for Warren Central, but Kyle Faunce, a transfer from Arizona, could win the job. There’s the possibility that the recruiting process could begin to be a distraction, given the sheer number of players being courted by Division I schools. The team’s offensive line, with only one starter returning, is a concern. With all the expectations surrounding this year’s team, the Warriors will also need to avoid the type of letdown performance they exhibited in a 21-point home loss to Lawrence Central in the playoffs.



Outlook: This year’s rendition of Warren Central could be on par with the 2006 team, which averaged more than 48 points per game. The defense should be rock solid from the start, while the offense may need a little time to meld together. It could be the new faces and role players, like receiver Evan Faunce or offensive lineman Justin Sparks, that determine how high the Warriors’ ceiling is in 2011.

No. 17 Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) - Full preview
Strengths: Dwyer should have excellent receivers this season, which will be a bonus for quarterbacks Faton Bauta and Bobby Puyol, who are battling for the starting job. Bauta, a transfer from Poly Prep, is talented enough to find playing time at a number of positions. The offensive line will see some new faces, but returning tackle Patrick Miller, a major recruit, is a great returning piece to build on. The Panthers’ sophomore class, which features Clint Stephens, Johnnie Dixon, Shaun Boone and Eric Roginsky, has coach Jack Daniels excited for the future.

Question marks: With the departure of Jacoby Brissett, Curt Maggitt and Nick O’Leary, Dwyer will have to replace a tremendous amount of production on both sides of the ball. The Panthers received several key transfers who will be skilled yet inexperienced in Daniels’ system. The team looked commendable in its spring game, but it will need to play as a fully cohesive unit when it opens up the season with Glades Central.

Outlook: More than anything, last year’s 12-2 season proved that Dwyer is fully capable of reloading, as the Panthers excelled despite losing Matt Elam, Robert Clark and Gerald Christian from the 2009 squad. Transfers Bauta, Dixon, linebacker Gage Batten and defensive end Malik Brown will have Dwyer performing up to the level of expectations that Daniels sets for his program: state championship or bust.

No. 16 Harrison (Farmington Hills, Mich.) - Full preview
Strengths: Harrison has the potential to be the strongest team that the state of Michigan has seen in the last few years. They are fresh off a 14-0, Division 2 title-winning season that saw them outscore opponents 524 to 163 on the season. Many crucial pieces to that team, including receivers Aaron Burbridge and Gairus Coleman, and tight end Devin Funchess, are back for 2011. The defensive line, led my Mario Ojemudia, is another area Harrison should thrive.

Question Marks: Tommy Vento had a sterling senior season in 2010, so younger brother Jake Vento, who moves from wide receiver to quarterback, will have his work cut out for him in trying to replicate his brother’s success. The returning offensive linemen are small, but won’t need to buy Vento much time, as his receivers will be able to make plays after the catch. Sophomore Lorenzo Collins has a high ceiling, but will be asked to do a lot more this season.

Outlook: Head coach John Herrington is a legend, plain and simple. He’s guided Harrison to 13 state titles, so he will know how to get the most out of the boatload of talent he has returning. The state of Michigan should have several good teams in 2011, but unfortunately for Harrison, they don’t all play in the same division come playoff time. Still, dominating its schedule from start to finish, which is entirely possible, would likely cause Harrison to soar up in the rankings.



Continue to 15-11 {PAGEBREAK}
No. 15 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) - Full preview
Strengths: Good Counsel has numerous playmakers who are capable of breaking a game wide open on either side of the ball. Top recruit Stefon Diggs is electrifying on offense and dynamic on defense. Kendall Fuller, only a junior, is similarly gifted. The Falcons also have multiple returning starters on the offensive and defensive lines. Mike Madaras and Ryan Watson both are sought-after recruits who played a big role in last year’s WCAC title, the team’s second-straight.

Question marks: The Falcons will start a brand new quarterback in 2011, in 6-5 junior Brendan Marshall. He looks the part but has not proven himself on the varsity level, as Zach Dancel handled Good Counsel’s offense last season. The team will also strive for more consistency in 2011. A year ago, they lost 28-7 to Gilman after a huge win against St. Xavier and dropped a 31-28 regular-season contest to DeMatha, a team they pounded 42-3 in the WCAC title game.

Outlook: This Good Counsel team may be special. Line play should be excellent; as always, the Falcons have terrific options at running back, receiver and defensive back. Untested players, like Marshall and linemen Sam Mustipher and Sam Madaras, both of whom are sophomores who hold Division I scholarship offers, could be the deciding factor between another solid Good Counsel team and a truly memorable one.

No. 14 Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.) - Full preview
Strengths: What would a Glades Central team be without tremendous speed? Not only does this Muck Bowl participant boast its usual share of burners, but the 2011 Raiders are an experienced squad, with numerous key players returning from last year’s 12-2 squad that claimed victories over Skyline and American Heritage. Cre'von Leblanc, Jamie Wilson, Dominique Gibson and William Likley give Glades Central some of the best returning skill players in the country.

Question marks: For as well-established as the team’s skill positions are, Glades Central’s line play may be just as unsettled, as new head coach Roosevelt Blackmon will have to rebuild large parts of both the offensive and defensive lines. How the team will mesh in Blackmon’s first season, particularly with transfer quarterback Tanner Redish at the helm of the offense, still remains to be seen.

Outlook: Assuming the likes of Tavious Bridges and Brandon Rodriguez help construct a formidable defensive line, the real x-factor could be quarterback play. Glades Central will face a stiff season-opening test against Dwyer, a program the Raiders have found success against lately. This is a small program with big expectations, and will be among the state's and country’s best.

No. 13 Centennial (Corona, Calif.) - Full preview
Strengths: The focal point of the 2011 Centennial team, at least right now, is the Huskies' line play on both sides. Head coach Matt Logan is unaccustomed to the depth of players in the trenches that he has returning: four out of five on offense and two very good defensive linemen. Running back Romello Goodwin, who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards last season backing up Barrinton Collins, is a good bet to top the 2,000-yard mark in the Huskies’ explosive offense.



Question marks: Without question, quarterback Michael Eubank will be nearly impossible to replace. Hayden Gavett, penciled in to take over behind center, was injured last year but should spring speed to the position. Centennial will also have holes to fill at receiver and defensive back. Only one linebacker returns, so the team’s defense will need to prove itself early on.

Outlook: From Matt Scott to Taylor Martinez to Michael Eubank, Logan has done a terrific job replacing quarterbacks at Centennial. Gavett should be fine. However, the team will be without the blue-chip recruit that it has routinely produced over the last few years. While Southern California lacks what appears to be truly great teams early on, the Huskies could certainly become just that. Having six of eight linemen back could loom large for Centennial, which has a much easier time finding athletes to play skill positions. Transfer Daniel Mendoza could have an immediate impact in the secondary.

No. 12 South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) - Full preview
Strengths: While many key cogs from last year’s national champion South Panola squad are now set to play on Saturdays, the Tiger defense does return Issac Gross and Temario Strong, both Division I recruits in their own right. Antonio Conner, one of the nation’s best sophomores a year ago, returns in the secondary but will also play quarterback. Quandez Lee, only a 10th-grader, could start at running back.

Question marks: Inexperience abounds at many key positions for South Panola, most noticeably among offensive linemen, wide receivers and defensive backs. Against an unforgiving schedule that features West Point, Hoover, Memphis University School and Gulfport, the 2011 Tigers must come together to play like the 2010 squad sooner rather than later.

Outlook: South Panola is clearly the best program in Mississippi; its record of consistency is remarkable, so there’s no reason to think that it will fall off in 2011. It would be unrealistic to expect this Tigers team to match the level of domination last year’s team achieved, though. Nonetheless, South Panola will be a very good team this season, with numerous high-caliber athletes well-conditioned to thrive in Lance Pogue’s system.

No. 11 Katy (Texas) - Full preview
Strengths: Katy’s defense has traditionally been its calling card, but in 2011, expect the team’s offense to be particularly impressive. Quarterback Brooks Haack is back behind center, and running back Adam Taylor, who averaged more than nine yards per carry as a sophomore, also returns. All-district tackle Cameron Glover will lead the offensive line. The defensive line also projects to be a strength for Katy.

Question marks: The offensive line sustained some key losses, so Glover and center Cole Gessler will be responsible for helping newcomers on the line mature. The secondary should feature some talented players who will have big shoes to fill. Haack will need to attack defenses through the air to prevent opponents from stacking the box on Taylor.



Outlook: Expectations are always high at Katy, and 2011 is no different, especially after the Tigers were upset by eventual state champion Pearland in the 5A-I playoffs. The Tigers cannot afford to look that far ahead, as they open the season against North Shore. If Katy peaks at the right time, expect to see the Tigers back in the state title game.

Continue to 10-6 {PAGEBREAK}
No. 10 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) - Full preview
Strengths: On paper, this definitely looks like the best team Bishop Gorman has had, as quarterback Jarret Solomon, running back Shaquille Powell and all five offensive linemen return from a state title-winning team that only narrowly suffered losses to De La Salle and Hamilton. Bishop Gorman is physical up front, and will wear down most of its opponents on offense. They also have the skill players to break games open with big plays.

Question marks: While the defense returns five starters, it will need to absorb the loss of Jalen Grimble, the team’s defensive leader last year, and fellow defensive end Bryson Mook, who gave the Gaels a big boost in the playoffs. Two of Bishop Gorman’s early opponents, Servite and Armwood, both have the ability to dictate a game by running the football, which could pose a challenge to the Gaels’ front seven.

Outlook: In the past few years, Bishop Gorman has quickly risen to football relevance, and now, prominence. After their game against De La Salle, Spartans coaches raved about the Gaels and predicted they’d be even stronger in 2011. Given the difficulty of its schedule, an undefeated season would enter Bishop Gorman into the discussion for a national No. 1 ranking.

No. 9 St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) - Full preview
Strengths: Like last season, St. Edward’s strength will be in the trenches. Defensive linemen Greg Kuhar and Darryl Render return from a squad that allowed 14 points or less 10 times last year. Blue-chip recruit Kyle Kalis, guard Tyler Orlosky, and tight end Sam Grant all return up front on offense, and should pave the way for another pounding rushing attack.

Question marks: The dearth of returning skill players would spell trouble for other teams, but not the Eagles, whose success last season was driven by their physical play up front. However, the fact that St. Edward will be starting a new quarterback and running back, and has an inexperienced secondary, is a cause for concern.



Outlook: St. Edward won’t be quite as good as it was in 2010, at least at the start of the season. Rick Finotti has a winning format in place, and the school’s first football state title was invaluable in creating a buzz around an Eagles program that historically had been overshadowed by St. Ignatius. If new quarterback Henry Hilow and new running back Dwayne Aaron can mature quickly, the Eagles will be very successful against one of the nation’s toughest schedules.

No. 8 Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.) - Full preview
Strengths: Opposing teams are going to have a hard time keeping Pleasant Grove off the board. The Eagles averaged nearly 37 points last season en route to a Division I Sac-Joaquin Section title and a 14-1 season. Quarterback Cody Demps returns alongside running back Mark Jenkins, who rushed for a whopping 2,739 yards and 41 touchdowns. Mega-recruit Arik Armstead, a two-way lineman, is simply dominant at offensive tackle.

Question marks: Offensively, this team has few question marks, provided Jenkins stays healthy. Defensively, Armstead is a major contributor on defense and is equally unstoppable rushing off the edge. With the likes of D.J. Dunn, Nick Terry, and Tyler Slavich all back, Pleasant Grove’s defensive line will also be solid, but any injury to Armstead will have double the effect on the team.

Outlook: Pleasant Grove lost only to Folsom last year in a game that was probably closer than the score indicates. A young program, Pleasant Grove continues to improve under head coach Joe Cattolico. All indications are that this will be the season the Eagles make their presence felt both statewide and nationally.

No. 7 Trinity (Euless, Texas) - Full preview
Strengths: As usual, Trinity’s strength will lie in its physical line play, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Hiva Lutui, Dillon Dillard and Henry Lae’aeota will be the foundation of the Trojans’ aggressive running game. Linebacker Brian Nance is one of the best in the state at his position, and he’ll be joined by T-jay Taylor, Dez Richardson and Chris Fonokalafi.

Question marks: Kailahi Kautai will have some of the biggest shoes to fill anywhere around; he takes over for quarterback Brandon Carter, who carried the Trojans throughout the playoffs last year. Kautai and running back Joel Kimpala will be responsible for a tremendous amount of production, but both are unproven.

Outlook: Trinity won state titles in 2005, ‘07, and ‘09, so they’re due for another championship according to recent pattern. Trinity’s defense, which struggled at times last year, has a chance to be exceptional. Despite big losses to graduation, Trinity will hardly drop off, as Steve Lineweaver has this program operating at a level that is nearly unmatched nationally.

No. 6 Prattville (Ala.) - Full preview
Strengths: Prattville has never been more talented, with Division I athletes all over the field. Quarterback Justin Thomas brings experience, leadership and speed to the quarterback position. He’s already committed to Alabama. Defensive tackle Justin Shanks and defensive end Caleb Gulledge anchor an outstanding defensive line.



Question marks: Off-the-field issues have clouded Prattville’s offseason, but that didn’t stop the Lions from winning their spring game against Davidson. Prattville lost four games last season with many of the same players they have entering 2011. Jamie Dubose’s squad needs to avenge those defeats in order to live up to the team’s enormous potential.

Outlook: Prattville appears ready to reclaim its perch atop the Alabama high school football scene. The Lions have talent at every position on the field and are very well-coached. They’ll need to come ready to play, as they open up against Florida’s St. Thomas Aquinas.

Continue to 5-1 {PAGEBREAK}
No. 5 Allen (Texas) - Full preview
Strengths: Experience will be key for Allen this year, as the Eagles return many important pieces from last year’s team that lost by two points to Euless Trinity in the second round of the 5A-I playoffs. Quarterback Alec Morris, running back Jonathan Williams and receiver Andrew Rodriquez give the Eagles an outstanding “Big 3” on offense to complement seven returning starters on defense.

Question marks: This is an extremely solid team from top to bottom, but playing in one of the toughest regions in the state may take its toll on Allen. Last year, the Eagles were stunned late in the regular season by Hebron after allowing more than 600 yards and turning the ball over late in the game. This year, with an even bigger bulls eye on its back, Allen can ill afford an off week.

Outlook: Coaches all around the state pointed to Allen as the state’s top team, and with good reason. They have all the key ingredients to win a state title, which the Eagles last accomplished in 2008. If the secondary can jell and Williams can stay injury-free, this could be a special year for the Eagles. However, with Cedar Hill as its opener and with Euless Trinity looming early in the playoffs, Allen certainly will have to earn it.

No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) - Full preview
Strengths: First-year head coach Rocco Casullo, who was promoted to fill the position vacated by George Smith’s retirement, is a defensive coach, and he’ll have plenty to work with. Jelani Hamilton, the team’s top recruit, anchors the defensive line. Cole Champion leads a stout linebacking unit. The secondary features plenty of young talent, but is very inexperienced. Dami Ayoola and Fred Coppet give the Raiders a speedy one-two punch at running back.

Question marks: Like the Raiders’ defensive backs, the team’s wide receivers will be fast and very skilled, but the unit is new and will need to adjust to a new quarterback. Games against De La Salle and Prattville will present different but equally daunting challenges to Aquinas early in the season.



Outlook: Over the last five years, Aquinas has shown that it reloads as well as anyone in the country. While the Raiders lost some key pieces to graduation, there are plenty of future stars waiting in the wings. The team's ground game will be difficult to stop. Defensively, Aquinas won't drop off much from last year's sterling unit.

No. 3 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) - Full preview
Strengths: De La Salle is still carrying the momentum from a stunning 48-8 whalloping of Servite. In 2011, quarterback Bart Houston will be back and should help provide a vertical element to the Spartans’ offense that hasn’t always been there. Anthony Williams will be his big target. Justin Walker, who is small but is extremely athletic, will see time on offense and defense. Michael Barton, committed to California, is a playmaker at linebacker.

Question marks: The Spartans are always stout on both sides of the line, but the team’s secondary will need some players to improve. Mister-Marshall Cotton, who is no longer on the team, further thins De La Salle’s ranks at safety.

Outlook: De La Salle’s game with Aquinas will be one of the most heavily anticipated games in recent memory, and it could set the tone for the rest of the team’s season. It is used to going up against bigger, faster opponents, so De La Salle will not be intimidated by Aquinas’ size and athleticism. Northern California football is in store for a big season, and right now, De La Salle leads the pack.

No. 2 Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) - Full preview
Strengths: Armwood returns top prospect Matt Jones, who will run behind a huge, nasty offensive line led by Cody Waldrop and features Cameron Dees and Kevin McCoy. The team’s defense, which boasts Eric Striker at linebacker and Leon McQuay at defensive back, is another strength.

Question marks: It’s hard to find any real weakness on this team, but the biggest one will be behind center, at least initially. A transfer from Tampa Bay Tech, quarterback Darryl Richardson has impressed this spring, but will need to adjust to the Hawks’ drastically different offense quickly. He has shown flashes of brilliance this spring, putting his rocket arm on display. Still, he needs to gain a full understanding of the Hawks’ offense for them to have the type of season they’re capable of having.



Outlook: This team is extremely talented and should be hungry for a state title after just falling short in last year’s 4A championship game. If it plays to its potential, this Armwood squad could be one of the best in Tampa-area history and will compete for the No. 1 spot in the Xcellent 25.

No. 1 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) - Full preview
Strengths: This Don Bosco Prep defense could be the best the Ironmen have ever had, and that’s saying a lot. Darius Hamilton and Al-Quadir Muhammad lead an explosive defenslive line. Yuri Wright, Elijah Shumate and Jabrill Peppers help comprise the nation’s best secondary. Michael Strizak will be another player that needs to be accounted for each play.

Question marks: How will quarterback Mike Yankovich fare as a full-time replacement for the departed Gary Nova? Yankovich, more in the mold of former Don Bosco Prep signal-caller Brett Knief, will need to mature quickly. He also has the luxury of throwing to arguably the state's top receiver, Leonte Carroo.

Outlook: After flying under the radar to begin last season, the Ironmen will begin the season with the bulls eye on their backs. They have the talent and experience to have another memorable season. Yankovich should be ready to handle the offense. The defense may be tested early on with games against Mission Viejo and Manatee.

Continue to map infographic{PAGEBREAK}