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

Video: Devon Lawrence's highlights Panther Creek High School
See one of Wake Forest's top runners from last season.


1. Wake Forest
2016 record: 16-0
Head coach: Reginald Lucas

The Cougars are coming off a 16-0 season, capped with a 29-0 victory in the class 4AA state championship game against Page (Greensboro).

Both of Wake Forest's top two rushers are back as Devon Lawrence and Marquis Dunn combined for nearly 3,000 yards rushing and 43 touchdowns last season.
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2. Dudley (Greensboro)
2016 record: 15-1
Head coach: Stephen Davis



The Panthers finished last season as the No. 1 team in the state in our computer rankings after going 15-1 and winning the class 4A state championship game 54-0 against Cape Fear (Fayetteville). Since the start of the 2013 season, Dudley is 51-6 with two state championships.

Expect Dudley to once again be contenders with 2018 Virginia Tech commit D.J. Crossen and Reggie Robertson leading the defense.

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3. Scotland (Laurinburg)
2016 record: 14-1
Head coach: Richard Bailey

The Fighting Scots will rely heavily on Zamir White, the nation's top-rated running back in the Class of 2018. White is coming off a junior season that saw him rush for nearly 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns en route to North Carolina Gatorade Football Player of the Year honors.

Look for Desmond Davis to lead the Scotland offense, while outside linebacker Javon Ratliffe returns for his senior year after leading the team last season with 103 tackles. Senior linebacker Keante McNair also returns after 68 tackles last season as a junior.



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4. Shelby
2016 record: 16-0
Head coach: Lance Ware

The Golden Lions return a host of players from their 2AA title team from last season.
Dax Hollifield, the 6-foot-1, 2220 pound inside linebacker, led the team with 146 tackles last season, including 52 tackles for a loss. The No. 6 rated player in the Tar Heel State by 247Sports also had 18 sacks as a junior.

Quarterback Malik Sarratt returns for his senior year after throwing for 3,605 and 44 touchdowns, while Xavier Brooks is top returning runner with 510 yards and nine TDs in last season's junior campaign.

Senior wideout Tucker Greene and junior defensive back Dorian Davis are also names to watch.

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5. Cape Fear (Fayetteville)
2016 record: 15-1
Head coach: Jacob Thomas

The Colts look to get back to the 4A state title game after falling short in the championship contest.

Incoming senior quarterback Justice Galloway-Velazquez threw for 2,476 yards and 26 TDs, while running for a team-high 1,912 yards and 26 scores. Rising senior Tyone Tillman was his top returning target with 429 yards receiving and four scores.

Chris Matthews, a rising senior middle linebacker, was second on team last season with 137 tackles.