MaxPreps 2015 California preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

By Mitch Stephens Aug 12, 2015, 12:00am

De La Salle comes into the season as the top team in the state. Also watch out for Centennial, St. John Bosco, Bishop Amat and Mater Dei in the California #MaxPrepsFab5.

Video: Early Contenders - No. 1 De La Salle (CA)
See how we revealed the No. 1 team in the nation.


2015 California Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. De La Salle (Concord)
Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
2014 finish: 14-0
Team preview

The nation's No. 1 team and defending state Open Division champion returns 12 starters, six on each side of the ball, including two-way starter Devin Asiasi, a 4-star recruit at tight end and defensive end. Boss Tagaloa, one of the program's only four-year starters, leads the line, while a pair of 1,900-yard rushers Andrew Hernandez and Antoine Custer return to lead the offense along with talented but oft-injured quarterback Anthony Sweeney, the team's undisputed leader.

See the MaxPreps national football videos page



2. Centennial (Corona)
Coach: Matt Logan
2014 finish: 12-3
Team preview

Centennial is back after reaching the Open Division State Bowl Game.
Centennial is back after reaching the Open Division State Bowl Game.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Few teams in the state return a better trio of skill players in quarterback Anthony Catalano, running back J.J. Taylor (1,600 yards) and receiver Javon Mckinley. Cal commit Daniel Juarez anchors a terrific offensive line while leading 2014 tackler Zach Brumbaugh and safety Chacho Ulloa lead the defense.

See the MaxPreps California photos page

3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)

Coach: Jason Negro
2014 finish: 12-2
Team preview

The 2013 state Open Division champions lost All-American quarterback Josh Rosen to graduation — he's now a potential starter at UCLA — but return one of the best and fastest running backs in the country in Sean McGrew (1,814 rushing yards, 28 touchdowns). Look for his total of 243 touches in 2014 to increase this season. A new starting quarterback will benefit from having two top receivers, Jared Harrell and Anselem Umeh, returning along with one of the country's top offensive tackles in Wyatt Davis.

See last season's California football computer rankings

4. Bishop Amat (La Puente)
Coach: Steve Hagerty
2014 finish: 9-4
Team preview



With two quarterbacks — Ryder Ruiz and Damian Garcia — who each threw for more than 1,800 yards last season, superb running back Torreahno Sweet and talented receiver Tyler Vaughns (83 catches, 1,183 yards, 12 touchdowns) all returning, the Lancers should put up plenty of points in 2015. Top tacklers Matt Terlizzi and Aaron Austin should spearhead the defense.

See the MaxPreps California football playoff brackets

5. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Coach: Bruce Rollinson
2014 finish:
9-3
Team preview

The Monarchs were the ultimate team last season. Seventeen different players carried the ball and five topped 100 yards, led by 526 from Brandon Lamarche. He scored nine touchdowns. Seven different players hauled in between 15 and 31 passes and returner Curtis Robinson had 25 catches. Nine different players had between 30 and 55 tackles, including 40 by Robinson. Expect much of the same for a team boasting 119 players on its roster.