Preseason Top 25 high school football early contenders

As classes wind down and summer football heats up, MaxPreps is excited to release its annual Preseason Top 25 Early Contenders.

Out of the nearly 16,000 high school football teams in the country, here’s a look at the cream of the crop heading into the summer.

25. Butler (Matthews, N.C.) - Full preview

 
Strengths: Experience will be the hallmark of the 2012 Butler squad. It’s led by numerous three-year starters, including quarterback Riley Ferguson, linebacker Peter Kalambayi and receiver Uriah LeMay. That nucleus led Butler to a state title in 2010.

Question marks: The defense returns key players both in the box as well as in the secondary. However, the unit allowed 40 points in a season-ending loss to Page last season, so it must improve if Butler is going to reach its potential and win another Class 4A state title. Grant Polofsky and Corwin White will flank nose guard Darrin Dubose in Butler’s 3-4 scheme. If they can get enough penetration up front, it should allow Kalambayi and the linebackers to make plays. The secondary, with three returning starters, should be solid.



Outlook: On paper, this team is comparable to the 2010 team in terms of who is returning. Ferguson, Kalambayi and Lemay all have All-American potential. Last year was the first year as head coach for Brian Hales. With his feet firmly planted as his second year begins, Hales faces great expectations but has the pieces in place to back it up. {PAGEBREAK}
24. Hoover (Ala.) - Full preview
Strengths: Hoover’s defense is going to be very good this fall. The secondary returns Devon Earl, who quarterbacks the team’s defense. He’s joined by sensational cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who has drawn comparisons to the likes of Champ Bailey and Dre Kirkpatrick. Jamal Lucas and Landry Tullo return at linebacker. The Bucs need to plug some holes in the middle up front, but with 250 players out for spring ball, coach Josh Niblett will have options.

Question marks: The offense struggled at times last season, so it will need to improve this year without one of its top playmakers, receiver Caleb Sims. With good speed, Alfonzo Steele should be a playmaker. It will help to have quarterback Connor Short returning.

Outlook: Hoover has been a remarkably consistent program but has fallen short the last two seasons, losing in the state finals by one point in each game. With a solid mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent, a Class 6A state title could be in the cards.
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23. St. Ignatius (Cleveland) - Full preview
Strengths: With roughly five starters back on both sides of the ball from a team that captured Ohio’s Division 1 state title last season, this Ignatius squad returns more talent coming off a championship season than head coach Chuck Kyle is accustomed to. Three starters, including 2014 top recruit Jimmy Byrne, are back up front, opening holes for running back Tim McVey. The team will be very strong on the defensive front as well, with Kevin Kavalec and David Katusha both returning.

Question marks: Quarterback Mike Lamanna is a first-year starter for the Wildcats. However he looked very strong while filling in for injured starter Eric Williams last year, throwing for four touchdowns against Erie Cathedral Prep. The team’s linebackers also need to be retooled.

Outlook: Region I will be challenging in 2012, as Mentor and Solon both bring a lot back. Last year, St. Ignatius improved dramatically, and by season’s end, was a very good football team. With September showdowns against De La Salle (Mich.), Mentor and Glenville, this year’s team will have to grow up quickly. However, with one of the all-time greatest coaches at the helm, that may not be much of a problem.
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22. Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.) - Full preview

Corn Elder is one of the most dynamic players in the country.

Photo by Randy Sartin

Strengths: Fifteen starters are back from a 2011 team that captured the Division II-AA title in convincing fashion, avenging its only loss by thrashing Baylor 48-10. Running back Cornelius Elder is the obvious prized returner, but head coach Ricky Bowers’ squad returns eight linemen who saw action last fall. Ensworth also had a boat load of young talent that could blossom as sophomores.

Question marks: Someone will have to step up at wide receiver to replace Cory Batey, who is now at Vanderbilt. Fullback, in Ensworth’s Pro-I set, is a big question mark as well. Unlike most teams on this list, Ensworth will have key guys playing both ways, including Elder. An injury to him could derail the team’s three-peat hopes.

Outlook: Ensworth looked dominant for most of last season. Its one hiccup was a big one, however: A 42-14 blowout loss to Baylor in which Elder was shutdown and Ensworth committed three turnovers. This year’s squad is the prohibitive favorite in Division II-AA. Anything short of a third-consecutive state title would be a disappointment.
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21. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) - Full preview

Top 100 defensive end Alquadin Muhammad will lead this year's version of Don Bosco Prep's defense, which will once again be the team's strength.

Photo by Daniel Coppola

Strengths: Although it loses superstar Darius Hamilton, Don Bosco Prep will be tough up front, with defensive end Alquadin Muhammad, a Top 100 recruit, leading the way along with Razohnn Gross. Linebacker Spencer Scannell will lead a blue-collar group of linebackers to form another solid front seven.

Question marks: With the loss of Kyle Sakowski, Yuri Wright, Elijah Shumate and Jabrill Peppers (transfer), the secondary will be completely inexperienced to start the season. So, too, will be quarterback Frank Nutile, a 6-4 pocket passer more similar to Gary Nova than Mike Yankovich. The loss of Peppers will also be felt on offense, as the team will need to find a new playmaker at tailback.



Outlook: Over the past four seasons, Don Bosco Prep has lost only once -- its season-opener on the road against St. Xavier. This team reloads better than any in the country, and despite massive losses due to graduation and transfers, it will likely emerge as one of the nation’s top teams, similar to the 2010 squad that endured massive losses to graduation only to finish nationally ranked. Whether the team is a very good New Jersey squad or a nationally elite team could hinge on its Sept. 15 matchup with St. Thomas Aquinas.
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20. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) - Full preview
Strengths: While Oscar Smith is usually well-known for its skill players, this year’s squad will be led by its offensive and defensive lines, both of which return most of their starters. That’s not to say it lacks in the skill department, where sophomore DeShawn McClease will fill in for J.C. Coleman. Head coach Richard Morgan believes there will be little drop off and and expects McClease to be a national recruit as a senior. Marcus Smith will also get carries.

Question marks: From Phillip Sims to Jaylin Williamson, the quarterback position has not been a well-stocked position for Oscar Smith recently. That does not appear to be the case in 2012, as there’s no clear next-in-line behind center. Dashawn Blow, last year’s backup, could be the guy. However, don’t be surprised if dynamic athlete Zach Jones sees some time there.

Outlook: Last year, Oscar Smith’s only setback was a season-opening, 51-27 setback to Gilman. After surviving against Salem, the Tigers won their last two games by an average of 27 points, ending on a very high note. This season’s out-of-state contest is an even bigger opportunity for Oscar Smith: A showdown with Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) and a rare opportunity to see one of Virginia’s best teams take on a top out-of-state foe.
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19. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) - Full preview Strengths: Even without talented receiver Monty Madaris (Michigan State), Moeller is going to be loaded on offense, with three-year starter Spencer Iacovone back behind center. He’ll be joined in the backfield by returning running back Keith Watkins, who boasts several BCS offers. The offensive line, which also features a coveted recruit in Alex Gall, returns three starters. In Cincinnati’s brutal Greater Catholic League, that type of returning talent is rare.

Question marks: There will likely be some growing pains on defense. Not only does the unit have to replace seven starters, but it will do so under a new defensive coordinator: former Bengals Director of Player Personnel Jim Lippincott. A brutal schedule, including a rematch with Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), awaits. The cupboard is now bare, however, as Shane Jones will be a force at linebacker.

Outlook: Moeller started 7-0 last season before losing four of its final six games, including a season-ending loss to St. Xavier in the Region IV finals. This team will thrive offensively, but will only go as far as its defense will take it. If its defense can slow the run, it could be a very, very good team. With the return of Lippinncott, who helped coach Moeller from 1981 to 1992, there is certainly a sense that this could be the team to restore Big Moe to the glory of years past.
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18. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) - Full preview
Strengths: Colquitt County’s defense should be stronger than last year, but the team’s biggest strength is its game-changing quarterback, Cole Segraves. The 6-5 signal-caller is a dual-threat quarterback in a non-traditional sense: he can throw accurately with both arms. Running back John Boatright will be another major offensive threat, along with receiver Bobby Hill, who led the team in touchdown grabs. A potent offense and overall strong defense gives Colquitt County great balance.

Question marks: Losing two solid linemen as well as tight end Ty Smith (Georgia) gives reason for some pause when it comes to the offense. The defense returns five starters and could be even better than last year, but only if the young talent it boasts actually pans out. Keep an eye on freshman Kiel Pollard, a Pop Warner phenom who could make a splash on the varsity team as a freshman.

Outlook: Rush Propst and staff believe this could be Colquitt County’s year. The expectation is pretty clear: State title or bust. The Packers nearly made it to the title game last year, but fell to Grayson in the semifinals, as two late pass interference penalties doomed Colquitt County. In addition to Grayson, Colquitt County will have to get past Camden County, which should be much improved. The road will be difficult, but Colquitt County has a shot at a very special season.
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17. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) - Full preview

Jon Germano returns for his second season guiding Bergen Catholic's high-octane offense.

Photo by Daniel Coppola

Strengths: Bergen Catholic’s high-paced offense should thrive in 2012, with quarterback Jonathan Germano returning under center. Even with the loss of top receiver John Tsimis, the Crusaders should be fine relying on receivers Kyle Quiero and J.J. Kulcsar, as well as defensive end Garrett Dickerson, who will likely line up at tight end. Expect Bergen Catholic to put up points, and lots of them.



Question marks: Six starters are back on defense, but the unit is not nearly as highly regarded as the offense. It allowed 36 points against Paramus Catholic and then 42 points to Don Bosco Prep to close the season. Dickerson will play a big part in the success of the defense, as he should be one of the state’s top defensive players as a junior.

Outlook: Campanile believes that the team overall, despite not teeming with blue-chip recruits, is a cohesive, coachable bunch. The team will have a chance to prove it, with contests against Bishop Gorman and Cocoa. However, the biggest game on the schedule, as always, is its showdown with Don Bosco Prep. Buzz around the state is that this could be the year someone knocks Don Bosco Prep off its throne. Bergen Catholic hopes, and expects, to be that team in 2012.
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16. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) - Full preview

Baker Mayfield continues the Lake Travis tradition of exceptional quarterback play. He will likely post video game statistics as a senior.

Photo by Keith Owens

Strengths: Passing, passing, passing. Quarterback Baker Mayfield returns after a junior season where he put up typical Lake Travis quarterback statistics: 3,788 passing yards and 45 touchdowns. Junior running back Varshaun Nixon provides an interesting wrinkle to the scheme: He hauled in 351 receiving yards last year but he’s also one of the state’s best running backs in the Class of 2014. Zach Austin will assume the No. 1 receiver role left vacant by Griffin Gilbert.

Question marks: The team’s defense needs to be reloaded, but the Cavaliers do have returning starters on the defensive line, among the linebacking corps and in the secondary. Brock Kenyon, who intercepted two passes in the state finals, while roam around at the safety spot while Luke Hutton, who also had an interception in the title game, will highlight an inexperienced linebacking corps.

Outlook: Notable this season is Lake Travis’ jump to Class 5A, where it will likely end up in the Class 5A-II bracket. It won’t matter. Lake Travis has beaten numerous teams that have been on the border between 4A and 5A. This is one of the top programs in the state regardless of class and has become one of the most successful in the country. Once the defense come together during the regular season, the Cavaliers will be a favorite to capture an astonishing sixth-straight state title.
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15. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) - Full preview Strengths: Skill players will carry Vista Murrietta, at least early on. Talented quarterback Nick Stevens runs the offense. Su'a Cravens, one of the best players from Southern California in years, lines up wherever he’s needed, on offense or defense. He’ll likely lead the team in carries, but expect Kei-Ron Long to make an impact as well. PJ Jones, Justin McKinley and Randy Beggs will lead a deep receiver pool, so deep in fact that some talented athletes are being moved to the secondary.

Question marks: The offensive line returns an alarming lack of experience and the secondary will be almost entirely new. Both are major areas of concern for head coach Coley Candaele and will be a focus of his this summer.

Outlook: Last year, Vista Murrieta was the best team in Southern California but never got to prove it. With a boatload of skill players back and arguably the best defensive player this side of Robert Nkemdiche, there’s little reason to think that Vista Murrieta will experience much dropoff. If the offensive line gels, this team would be scary good.
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14. Plant (Tampa, Fla.) - Full preview
Strengths: Top to bottom, Plant could be as deep and talented as it has ever been. Running back Wesley Bullock is James Wilder in a 5-foot-6 frame, as he rushed for 1,308 yards a year ago. A big, talented offensive line, featuring Richy Klepal, Richard Bush and Ray Raulerson is going to maul opposing teams. Plant has plenty of options at quarterback, though it seems that Aaron Banks will be the go-to guy at the position.

Question marks: Plant normally finds and coaches formidable receivers, but the challenge is exacerbated this offseason with the loss of Austin Roberts, who is transferring to Carmel. The arrival of Tristan Cooper, whose father joined the Bucs staff, should help.

Outlook: In all likelihood, this Plant team will be better than last year’s 14-1, Class 8A state title-winning squad. That says a lot. It will have to earn it, however, with an early matchup against John Curtis and its annual throw down with Armwood, which has had its number recently.
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13. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) - Full preview
Strengths: Receivers and defensive backs are two areas of strength of Byrnes. Akia Booker and Tavin Richardson give the Rebels true vertical targets for returning quarterback Shuler Bentley. Shane Samuels, who picked off seven passes last season, leads a secondary that is completely intact from a year ago.



Question marks: There’s no clear feature back at this point. From a program where Marcus Lattimore starred for three years, that’s an unusual position to be in. The defensive line is also an area where head coach Chris Miller has focused this spring. Look for linebacker Melvin Armstrong to slide down to defensive end to help fill a hole up front.

Outlook: Last year, Gaffney was the trendy team in South Carolina, but still, it was not all too surprising that Byrnes emerged as state champions. This year, the team should be much-improved, but it will once again have a bulls eye on its back. It’s a familiar spot for a program that has thrived in the spotlight.
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12. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) - Full preview
Strengths: The key cogs from Trinity’s daunting 2011 offense are back: quarterback Travis Wright, receiver James Quick and running back Dalyn Dawkins. That trio formed what was probably the most dynamic offense in state history, averaging 49.7 points per game. There are plenty of complementary pieces that could also shine, including speedy sophomore Donald Brooks. Jason Hatcher and Ryan White give the Trinity defense its own set of difference-makers as well as blue chip recruits.

Question marks: On the surface, it would seem that the 2012 Shamrocks could be even more explosive than the 2011 version. And they very well might be. However, Trinity has to replace nearly its entire offensive line, an unheralded unit that enabled much of the team’s success last year. There are holes to fill, but the staff is happy about the veteran/rookie mix it will display this fall.

Outlook: If Trinity performs anywhere close to the level it performed at last season, even a Top 15 ranking will be far too low. It must navigate a daunting schedule once again. Last year, Trinity was invincible and hardly ever tested. How the team responds this fall when it’s playing a close game in the fourth quarter will determine if it once again finds itself competing for a mythical national title.
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11. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) - Full preview

Anu Solomon, an Arizona commit, will be a four-year starter for Bishop Gorman.

Photo by Jann Hendry

 
Strengths: Four-year starter Anu Solomon is the spark plug for Bishop Gorman’s offense. He threw for 2,744 yards and 41 touchdowns last season versus just two interceptions, in addition to rushing for a half-dozen scores. While Shaquille Powell and his 40 touchdowns will be missed, junior Nate Starks is more than ready to step in.

Question marks: Although head coach Tony Sanchez is extremely optimistic about the group of offensive linemen he has coming up through the ranks, it’s hard to ignore that the Gaels lost Ronnie Stanley and Ron Scroggins, two pivotal big men up front. The linebacking corps is thin on returning players as well.

Outlook: Bishop Gorman is in a unique spot: It’s the most dominant athletic program in an area of the country that grew rapidly over the last decade. As such, it has attracted an incredible amount of talent and has proven itself against out-of-state competition. This could prove to be the best Bishop Gorman team ever. Out-of-state games against Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bergen Catholic, Servite and St. Louis will allow the Gaels to test their mettle against against a schedule that is easily strong enough for a national title resume.
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10. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) - Full preview
Strengths: This might be the most talent-laden team in the country. Virginia-commit Brendan Marshall is back at quarterback while running back Dorian O'Daniel returns to rush behind a massive offensive line that features Sam Mustipher, Sam Madaras, Michael Konrad and Joe Ralli. The defense, led by blue chip recruit Kendall Fuller, is probably even deeper with playmakers.

Question marks: When Good Counsel needed a big play last year, Stefon Diggs, now at Maryland, always answered the bell. The Falcons need to find a way to replace one of the most dynamic players in the country a year ago.



Outlook: This team appears to have few weaknesses. Its schedule features Bishop Gorman, Gilman and St. Joseph, so by the end of September, it should be clear how the team has adjusted to the loss of Diggs. Playing a short, WCAC schedule, sometimes Good Counsel doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. However, this is a very, very good program and it is especially dangerous in 2012, as it has more than a dozen Division 1-caliber recruits on its roster.
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9. Washington (Miami) - Full preview
Strengths: Eighteen returning starters is a good place to begin talking about the 2012 Booker T. Washington, which can best be described in one word: loaded. Quarterback Treon Harris and favorite target Lamar Parker highlight the offense, along with Denver Kirkland, who at 6-4, 300 pounds, is a mountain of a young man. D'von Ballard and Krondis Landry both return at running back. The Tornadoes received added depth at that position when 2015 standout Shaq Green transferred in from Norland. On defense, Matthew Thomas, one of the nation’s top linebackers, is a physical specimen and an impact player.

Question marks: The biggest question that Booker T. Washington faces is if can it compete with the big boys in South Florida. The 2007 team, to which this year’s squad is drawing comparison, finished 15-0 and nationally ranked, plus was one of the top schools in Florida bar none. Florida is unlike many states in that smaller schools can be among the nation’s best. However, the Tornadoes have lost to Central the last three seasons. This fall, Central has some rebuilding to do, but will still be big, fast, and athletic - and potentially a figure in national rankings. Even before it travels to Texas to face Cedar Hill, Booker T. Washington will have to prove itself on Sept. 8 against Central.

Outlook: There are few teams in the country that return as much (and accomplished as much last season) as Booker T. Washington. With the amount of continuity it has from last season, spring was a time for fine-tuning, not rebuilding. The Tornadoes blasted Blanch Ely 48-0 and should hit the ground running in the fall.
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8. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) - Full preview
Strengths: De La Salle may have had its best-ever defense last season, and the unit should carry the Spartans in 2012. All-American linebacker Michael Hutchings, with Victor Egu, D.J. Moffit and Austin Hooper, the front seven could rival last year’s dominant group and will cause major headaches for De La Salle’s opponents.

Question marks: The obvious question is how De La Salle will replace quarterback Bart Houston. The bigger question is how will De La Salle do early in the season? By December in recent years, the Spartans could give the San Francisco 49ers a game. However, they’ve gotten hammered in September out-of-state games in two of the last three seasons, and needed double overtime - and a miracle missed PAT - to survive their season opener against Bellarmine last fall. There’s little doubt that De La Salle will be among the nation’s elite when CIF Bowl Games come around.

Outlook: Wondering if De La Salle will be good is akin to wondering if its colors are green and silver. It’s a given. The question is if the Spartans will be good or great, on par with some of the De La Salle teams that have finished the season with No. 1 national rankings.
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7. Carroll (Southlake, Texas) - Full preview

Kenny Hill brings poise and experience to the quarterback spot for Southlake Carroll and reigning National Coach of the Year Hal Wasson.

Photo by Robbie Rakestraw

Strengths: Carroll has not had this much firepower returning on offense since the days of Riley Dodge and Tre Newton. Quarterback Kenny Hill, a Texas A&M commit, brings talent, athleticism and experience behind center while A.J. Ezzard gives the team a trusted option at running back. Head coach Hal Wasson also points to special teams as a strength. Tanner Jacobson and Ray Crockett give Carroll two bona fide defensive backs to work with.

Question marks: The Dragons’ wide receiver unit will be almost entirely new; replacing Sabian Holmes and Peyton Williams may not be easy. On defense, finding another safety and solidifying the team’s outside linebackers is a priority for Wasson.



Outlook: A team coming off a 16-0, Texas state title-winning season with this much returning is a recipe for a potentially special season. Any hope of a national No. 1 finish could be dashed in the first week, however, where Carroll will face its biggest test of the regular season: On the road against Allen, a game that will showcase the team’s new $50 million facility.
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6. Curtis (River Ridge, La.) - Full preview

Sherman Badie is one of many capable running backs in the potent John Curtis offense.

Photo by Roddy Johnson

Strengths: The depth of talent on this year’s John Curtis team is remarkable. Don’t let the “small school” label fool you: the Patriots can play with anyone in the state - or country - this season. Curtis used two quarterbacks last season, Patrick Morton and Abby Touzet, both of whom are back. Three returning offensive linemen will pave the way for an incredible slew of running backs that includes Sherman Badie, Tevin Horton and Raekwan James. Malachi Dupre, a 6-4 wideout, adds another dimension to the offense. Defensive back Richard Allen and linebacker Duke Riley will lead the defense.

Question marks: There are few ostensible weaknesses on the Curtis squad. One area of concern is the team’s defensive line, which must endure the loss of Torrey Bell (Mississippi State) and Dillon Gordon (LSU). Problematically for Curtis, the greatest strength of early season foe Plant is the team’s offensive line.

Outlook: There’s talk around the program that this could be the best team in the storied history of John Curtis. If that’s the case, Curtis will likely find itself vying for a No. 1 finish. The team’s combination of depth and coaching is hard to top anyway.
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5. Bellevue (Wash.) - Full preview

Bishard Baker brings a level of speed to Bellevue that the Wolverines have not had in the past.

Photo by John Downey

Strengths: Speed will be the hallmark of this year’s Bellevue team. And speed in Butch Goncharoff’s Wing-T system, which has thrived in the past with less-gifted athletes, is simply dangerous. Running back/athletes Bishard "budda" Baker and Myles Jack lead the way. Max Richmond and Reuben Mwehla joined them on the school’s state champion 4x100 track team. It won’t be easy to replace Tyler Hasty, who starred at quarterback and defensive back, but the Wolverines have players at both spots that are ready to step up.

Question marks: Not having Hasty this season might be the biggest question mark for Bellevue, as he was the state’s best player last season. The Wolverines will enter their showdown with Trinity as the favorite. Bellevue beat a giant Lakes team last season, but still, Trinity’s size will be something that it is not accustomed to. It should provide a great barometer for how good the 2012 Bellevue team is.

Outlook: This is a legitimate national powerhouse team that would succeed playing in Texas, Florida or any other state. Goncharoff has been talking about this group of players for several years, circling the 2012 season on the calendar. This year’s team is looking to five-peat as state champions, to go undefeated and to capture a national title.
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4. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) - Full preview
Strengths: Nine underclassmen started on offense last year for Santa Margarita, which beat Bellarmine in the Division I Bowl Game. Electric quarterback Johnny Stanton is the driving force of the unit that averaged more than 36 points per game last year. The team’s biggest strength, however, might be its star-studded offensive line, which features Erik Bunte, Riley Sorenson and his younger brother, Will Sorenson. Ryan Wolpin, who rushed for 29 touchdowns, is primed for an even better senior year.

Question marks: Even with the emergence of 6-3 defensive end Nick Begg, there are still plenty of holes to fill on the defensive front. Taylor Prenovost figures to be an answer there. Two more starters need to emerge, not to mention trustworthy backups that will undoubtedly be needed to endure the brutal Trinity League schedule Santa Margarita faces.



Outlook: Last year, Santa Margarita suffered two defeats: a seven-point loss to Mater Dei and a one-point heartbreaker to Servite in overtime. As such, the Eagles were eight points away from a perfect season. This team is going to score plenty of points, and the defense should come together. Still, it’s difficult to survive the Trinity League unscathed. If it does, it will likely earn a second consecutive trip to the Bowl Games.
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3. Skyline (Dallas) - Full preview
Strengths: Skyline’s pitch and catch duo of Devante Kincade and Ra'Shaad Samples is arguably the nation’s best. A huge offensive line will once again buy Kincaid time as well as open holes for Ellis Onic and possibly 2015 standout Jatory Sparks-Brown. The team’s secondary will be blazing fast and teeming with future Division 1 players, a common occurrence at Skyline.

Question marks: With the loss of Peter Jinkens, Domenic Spencer and Nigel Robertson at linebacker, a major strength of the team could become a weakness. Justin Norton and Isaiah Williams are expected to step in, while a number of sophomores may be looked at for the open positions, including Malik Jimmerson and Anthony Wheeler.

Outlook: This team was a freak play away for playing for a state title last season, killing the team’s reputation as a talented squad that couldn’t go the distance. If not for a silver fox, Skyline might be defending state champions. If nothing else, last year’s 14-1 start and deep playoff run gave this team invaluable confidence. In 2012, it’s time to cash in on last year’s heartbreaking experience.
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2. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) - Full preview
Strengths: Grayson’s defense will be out-of-this-world good in 2012, rivaling Don Bosco Prep’s defense last year and other top defenses in recent years. Not only does it return nine starters on a squad that allowed only eight points per game last year, but it has the best defensive player in the country in do-everything defensive end Robert Nkemdiche. Wayne Gallman. Kasey Gaines. David Kamara. Jack Banda. The names of impact players on defense is almost endless for Grayson.

Question mark: Folks around Georgia are wondering who will step up to replace the departed Nick Scheussler (Mississippi State) at quarterback. It seems like a big hole to fill, as Scheussler provided a dimension to the offense that Grayson was not accustomed to. However, he averaged only 123 passing yards per game, production that head coach Mickey Conn hopes newcomer Brandon Benson can account for. Expect to see Grayson pound the football more this season, not a bad thing given Conn’s success running a hybrid Wing-T.

Outlook: Conn summed it up well, telling MaxPreps that his seniors can either rest on their laurels and pay the price or work hard and be dominant. He believes this is a better team than last season’s 15-0 squad that pounded Walton 24-0 in the state finals. If the offensive line comes together and the team gets solid production behind center, it will be hard to disagree. A game with Miami Central will quickly test Grayson’s defense. If it runs the table, it will be hard to deny the Rams a national title. If it falters, not only will it lose a chance at a No. 1 national finish, but Colquitt County, Camden County, Lassiter and others could challenge Grayson for bragging rights as the top team in the Peach State.
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1. Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) - Full preview  
Strengths: No team has a better combination of success in 2011 and key returners than Manatee, Florida’s defending Class 7A state champion. Top 100 quarterback Cord Sandberg is in his third season at the helm of the offense. He’ll be protected by an offensive line that is nearly intact, which will allow Sandberg to connect with top target Anthony Lauro. Lauro will also be used in the backfield. The team’s biggest strength by far is its defensive line. It returns Marquis Dawsey, Blake Keller, Derrick Calloway and Demarcus Christmas, a tremendous blend of pass rushers and run stoppers that wreaked havoc last year and will be noticeably better this fall.

Question marks: Manatee needs players to step up at linebacker. However, with the type of push that the defensive front will get, the linebackers will likely get to just sit back in coverage. Though it has plenty of young, speedy options, Manatee does not have a Mike Blakely-type of workhorse running back.

Outlook: Several teams have an argument for starting the season at No. 1, but we believe Manatee’s is the strongest. The only losses it suffered last year were to Good Counsel on the road (in a controversial ending) and at home to No. 1 Don Bosco Prep, a game which it led late in the game. Both of those teams simply raved about Manatee’s athleticism and tenacity. It will need to display both of those traits in 2012 to overcome a schedule that includes Miami Central and a playoff bracket likely to feature reloaded St. Thomas Aquinas and Dwyer squads. It will also need to endure the hurricane-sized bulls eye that comes with being the nation’s top-ranked team.