MaxPreps 2017 Hawaii preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Top 10 Games of 2017
See Zack Poff break down the biggest games of the season, which includes one featuring Kahuku against Utah's Bingham.


1. Kahuku
2016 record: 11-2
Head coach: Makoa Freitas

The Red Raiders come in as the MaxPreps No. 25 preseason team with a highly touted sophomore quarterback and a new head coach.

Makoa Freitas, a former NFL player who played for Dick Tomey and Tony Dungy, takes over the reins for Vavae Tate. Kahuku fell last season in the inaugural Open Division championship 30-14 to St. Louis.

Sophomore Sol-Jay Maiava, the 6-1, 170 signal caller who already has offers from Fresno State, Michigan and Utah, looks to be the next big Hawaiian quarterback – following in the footsteps of Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa, the former St. Louis QB and current Alabama freshman.



Maiava will have plenty of talent to surround him, including tackle Izaya Vimahi, the No. 4-rater tackle in the country for the Class of 2019 by 247Sports.

Defensively, the Red Raiders are stacked with the likes of defensive end and Virginia commit Samson Reed, linebacker Miki Ah You and corner Kaonohi Kaniho. See the MaxPreps Hawaii Football Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. St. Louis (Honolulu)
2016 record: 11-1
Head coach: Cal Lee

Winners of the inaugural state Open Division state championship over Kahuku, St. Louis must find a way to replace 5-star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, an Alabama commit and arguably the best Hawaii QB since Marcus Mariota. The two squads have split the state title the past two seasons, so don't be surprised to see the trilogy happen.

Rising senior Chevan Cordeiro, a University of Hawaii commit, will lead the Crusaders' offense and be joined by Top-15 recruit overall Faatui Tuitele.

Coach Cal Lee (253-38-5 in 24 seasons) will look to Isaiah Tufaga, a 3-star defensive back, to anchor one of the best defenses in the Aloha State.



See the MaxPreps Hawaii football stat leaders

3. Mililani
2016 record: 9-3
Head coach: Rod York

The defending Division I champions Trojans look to build on their second title in three years. And a lot of that rests on the left arm of incoming junior quarterback Dillon Gabriel, son of University of Hawaii legend Garrett Gabriel. Dillon Gabriel threw for more than 2,600 yards and 28 scores last season.

He will be joined by Jalen Olomua, who rushed for 98 yards and two scores in the 31-20 title win last season over ‘Iolani. Running back and middle linebacker Darius Muasau, and defensive end Tasi Malepeai also are back to lead the Trojans.

Mililani will take on one of Northern California's top schools in Clayton Valley Charter on Sept. 1, a trip to the mainland that coach Rod York calls both a test and bonding experience for his squad.

See the MaxPreps Hawaii football playoff brackets



4. Kapolei
2016 record: 10-3
Head coach: Darren Hernandez

The Hurricanes, who lost to eventual Open Division champion Kahuku, will have to find a new quarterback after Taulia Tagovailoa (Tua's brother) transferred to Alabama. The younger Tagovailoa threw for 3,919 yards and 42 scores.

Kapolei's quarterback situation is still fluid, but lone offensive returner Isaiah Ahana is a danger at wide out.

Defensively, the Hurricanes look to be stout with returners Kukea Emmsley at defensive end, Dylan Naehu at defensive tackle, Bam Amina at linebacker and Junior Tuia at defensive tackle.

See the MaxPreps Hawaii photo galleries

5. Punahou (Honolulu)
2016 record: 7-3
Head coach: Kale Ane



The Buffanblu look to 2017 after losing to Kapolei in the first round of the Open Division playoffs.

Leading that charge will be senior quarterback Stephen Barber Jr., who has a cadre of receivers including Andrei Iosivas, Tamatoa Falatea and Cody Pacarro.

Sitiveni Kaufusi will likely be the workhorse back and will be able to run behind the line of Alama Uluave, Duke Clemens, Blake Feigenspan, Paulo Soa and Alex Von Rohr.