MaxPreps 2014 Southerm Section preseason football Fab 5

1. Servite (Anaheim)
2013 finish: 6-6
Head coach: A.J. Gass
Team preview

A 6-6 team from last season gets ranked above a state champion that was regarded as perhaps the best team ever from the Southland? That just shows how high expectations are at Servite, where the returning cast is giving hope to those who want to return to a CIF Bowl Game. Oregon commit Travis Waller comes back as a dual-threat quarterback, and he'll have stud receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, and USC commit Clayton Johnston on the offensive line. On defense, Jack Savage will be the big name. Servite has Bishop Gorman and De La Salle on the schedule ahead of the Trinity League schedule, so we'll find out just how good the Friars are, ranked 10th in the preseason Xcellent 25.

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2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
2013 finish: 16-0, Open Division state champion
Head coach: Jason Negro
Team preview



The Braves finished a dream season last year, and certainly come in as contenders to win another state title. Quarterback Josh Rosen (UCLA commit) and dynamic running back Sean McGrew are back to provide fireworks on offense. Zachary Robertson and Matthew Katnik return on the offensive line as well. Where the change will come is on defense, as just one starter returns. Still, if the offense rolls like it did last year, the defense's faults could still be small enough to equal another title chase. It's wrong to assume that Bosco should be as good as last year, as it was a rarity in history, but the Braves will still be a force, as they are No. 11 in the Xcellent 25.

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3. Serra (Gardena)
2013 finish: 13-1
Head coach: Scott Altenberg
Team preview

The Cavaliers were undefeated entering the section title game but lost to Chaminade, and in their attempt to get back this year, they will do so with a very talented defense. John Houston returns at linebacker, Rasheem Green is back on the defensive line and Stanley Norman is a defensive back. Jalen Greene is gone from the quarterback spot and do-everything Adoree' Jackson also graduated, so athleticism at skill positions has taken a hit. Washington State commit Deontay Burnett will be back as a wide receiver and Caleb Wilson will step in at quarterback. Serra is No. 19 in the Xcellent 25.

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4. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
2013 finish: 11-3
Head coach: Bruce Rollinson
Team preview



The Monarchs experienced two of their three losses last season to St. John Bosco. Though they have a question of experience at quarterback, they have some some impact names returning. Wisconsin commit Kyle Penniston returns at tight end, Malik McMorris comes back on the defense line and Ben Humphreys (Duke commit) is a two-way threat at receiver and the defensive backfield. The defense will be this team's strength, which was also true last season.

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5. Alemany (Mission Hills)
2013 finish: 10-3
Head coach: Dean Harrington
Team preview

The Warriors are looking quite impressive at the skill positions on offense, with Washington State commit Dominic Davis at running back and USC commit Desean Holmes at receiver. Tyree Thompson comes back at linebacker to lead what should be the strong point of the team's defense. The Warriors move to the Mission League and will face Serra and Chaminade - a very good measure of how good this team should be regarded as.