MaxPreps 2014 Rhode Island preseason high school football Fab 5

1. Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.)
2013 finish: 11-1, RIIL Division 1 champs
Head coach: Keith Croft
Team preview

The Division 1 Rhode Island champions for the last four years will be sporting a new quarterback — currently running with sophomore Chris Hindle — but will depend on their power running game to carry them into the winter. "I think it's the same method that we've had for the last five years," said Bishop Hendricken coach Keith Croft. "We have to run the football into December. We like to throw the ball, we like to spread it around, and we like to get the ball to our athletes in space, and that's all well and good and I know the game of football has changed — and we have some spread principles in place — but when push comes to shove and the weather starts to change, it's time to pound the football." Bishop Hendricken will utilize a trio of backs, including Gary Gibbs, Terrence Gibbs and Power Kanga, as they defend their title and legacy.

See the most dominant Rhode Island football teams of the MaxPreps Era

2. La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.)
2013 finish: 5-5
Head coach: Geoff Marcone
Team preview



With quarterback Jace Pena (70 of 156 passing for 985 yards) and running backs Don'trae Odufanade (915 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Kyron Lopes (377 yards, 5 touchdowns) returning, the Rams are hoping for a better year after finishing 5-5 in 2013 and missing the playoffs.

See MaxPreps Rhode Island football photo galleries

3. Cranston East (R.I.)
2013 finish: 9-4, RIIL Division 1 runner-up
Head coach: Tom Centore
Team preview

Senior Marquem Monroe, a utility player on offense and defensive back, will help lead a Cranston East team that looks to make its fourth trip to the Division 1 playoffs. East fell short of a championship last season, losing to Bishop Hendricken in the title game. The Thunderbolts ended up losing star quarterback Alex Corvese, the state's leading passer, as well as four-fifths of their starting offensive line to graduation. But there's more than enough fire power on defense to keep this team going.

See MaxPreps Rhode Island computer rankings

4. Cumberland (R.I.)
2013 finish: 9-4, RIIL Division 2 runner-up
Head coach: Josh Lima
Team preview



Moving up from Division 2 might seem like a tall task for Cumberland, but with a trio of talented returners, including quarterback Tyler Calabro who threw for 1,472 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, along with talented skill players like Mike Stock (830 yards rushing, 8 touchdowns) and Jared Talbert (30 receptions, 515 yards and 6 touchdowns), the Clippers are in good hands.

See MaxPreps Rhode Island football playoff brackets

5. Portsmouth
2013 finish: 9-3, RIIL Division 1 semifinalist
Head coach: Ryan Moniz
Team preview

Linebacker James Coll (75 tackles) will return to help anchor a Patriots defense that allowed 16.9 points per game last season while advancing to the Division 1 playoffs as the third seed. Portsmouth will try to replace the production of former standout quarterback Matthew Sewell (29 total touchdowns) with returnees Evan Criner and Colin Tullson.

See MaxPreps Rhode Island football statistics page

Zuri Berry is a sports writer and producer for the Boston Globe and Boston.com. You can follow him on Twitter @zuriberry, and reach him via e-mail at zuri@zuriberry.com.