High school football Top 25 Preseason Early Contenders: The next 25

Early Contenders: Teams 26-50 1,213 views 2:12

Video: Early Contenders Teams 26-50
Perennial powers like De La Salle, Allen and Don Bosco Prep start season in unfamiliar territory.


26. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

2015: 14-2, UIL 6A-1 finalist (No. 25 in 2015 MaxPreps final computer rankings)
Comment: MaxPreps 2015 National Junior of the Year Sam Ehlinger, a Texas quarterback commit, linebacker Levi Jones (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and tackle Stephan Zabie (6-5, 290) might be Texas' best at each position.

27. Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)

2015: 14-1, FHSAA 6A finalist (98)
Comment: The state finalist in five of the last six years has eight Division I prospects and perhaps its best offense ever led by quarterback Darrian McNeal, running back Brian Snead and wide receiver Warren Thompson.

28. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)

2015: 8-4, NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 finalist (No. 46)
Comment: The Green Knights return their starting quarterback and leading receiver, tackler, sacker and three-star tackle Robert Martin and guard Joshua Fedd Jackson.



29. Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)
2015: 14-1, OHSAA Division III champion (No. 57)
Comment: Quarterback Danny Clark and running back Todd Sibley jr., both Ohio State commits, are the headliners for this star-studded bunch.

30. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
2015: 13-1, CIF Open Division champion (No. 1)
Comment: The Spartans return only four starters, including 3-star cornerback Tre White, but c'mon, it's De La Salle. 31. Allen (Texas)
2015: 14-1, UIL 6A-1 semifinalist (No. 16)
Comment: They have a new coach in Terry Gambill, but the Eagles, winners of three straight state titles starting in 2011, should continue to be dominant with quarterback Mitchell Jonke, guard Will Sherman, linebacker Misi Tupou and fantastic 2018 and 2019 classes, which include RB Kirby Bennett and future star QB Grant Tisdale.

32. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)

2015: 12-2, CIF Southern Section WV Division finalist (101)
Comment: Even with a new coach — David Olson — the Broncos should put up big numbers with returning quarterback Karson Greeley, leading rusher Cole Dubots and 4-star tackle Chuck Filiaga (6-6, 315).

33. Chandler (Ariz.)

2015: 11-2, AIA Division I semifinalist (No. 51)
Comment: 3-star wide receiver Kolby Taylor is nephew of former 49ers' receiver John Taylor and running back TJ Green is being compared to former UCLA and Chandler running back Paul Perkins.

34. Booker T. Washington (Miami)

2015: 9-5, FHSAA 4A champion (207)
Comment: Though no 4-star recruits, Washington features five 3-star standouts, led by tackle Kadeem Telfort (6-7, 300), a Florida commit.

35. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)

2015: 9-3, NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 champion (No. 22)
Comment: Three-star quarterback Tommy Devito and guard Liam Fornadel lead a rock solid program that features impeccable coaching and strong continuity.

36. Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.)

2015: 11-2, LHSAA Division I finalist (70)
Comment: Might have the best tandem linebackers in the state, Shahid Reece and Arkansas commit Derrick Munson.

37. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

2015: 7-5, (No. 108)
Comment: Legendary coach Bob Milloy (399-118-1) is one win shy of 400 and with starting quarterback Travis Nannen returning along with 4-star defensive end Joshua Paschal, Maryland-bound athlete Ayinde Eley and 3-star running back Mohamed Ibrahim, he should be well on his way to 500.

38. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)

2015: 15-0, GHSA AAAAAA champion (No. 13)
Comment: Behind colorful and successful coach Rush Propst, Colquitt County became just the third team in state history to win back-to-back 6A titles undefeated, but with only guard Quan Stokes (6-3, 310) as its only 3-star player, the Packers will need to rely on numbers and coaching.

39. Kahuku (Hawaii)

2015: 14-0, HHSAA Division I champion (No. 37)
Comment: The Red Raiders, led by 3-star standouts, running back Kesi Ah-Hoy and cornerback Kekaula Kaniho, look for their ninth state title since 2000.



40. Fayetteville (Ark.)

2015: 13-2, 7A state champion (No. 45)
Comment: The Bulldogs might even surpass the 725 points they scored last year with college-bound pro-style quarterback Taylor Powell and running back Terrance Rock returning. 41. Spanish Fort (Ala.)

2015: 15-0, AHSAA 6A champion (No. 54)
Comment: Scoring against the Toros will be tough with linebacker Thomas Johnston (6-2, 220) and defensive end Justin Thomas (6-5, 260).

42. Carol City (Miami)

2015: 13-2, FHSAA 6A second round (No. 202)
Comment: The four-time state champions haven't claimed gold since 2003, but with seven seniors among 247Sports Composite top 1,700, including linebacker Deandre Wilder (276) and Miami-bound wide receiver Kevaughn Dingle (429), the Chief will make a strong run in a crowded, talented Florida field.

43. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)

2015: 13-1, GHSA AAAAAA semifinalist (No. 58)
Comment: The Hawks not only return all their key skill players, including quarterback Cameron Turley and running back Joe Thomas, but a pair of 3-star linemen in guard Jack Franklin (6-4, 315) and Virginia-bound center Tyler Fannin (6-3, 290).

44. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

2015: 7-3, (1,479)
Comment: Perhaps the biggest benefactor since the passing of the new HB 7209 law, which allows Florida student-athletes to transfer more freely, the upstart Lions have upwards of 20 players with Division I offers.

45. Carroll (Southlake, Texas)

2015: 9-3, UIL 6A-2 second round (No. 142)
Comment: Quarterback Mason Holmes, promising new skill players and a big and bullish offensive line, will garner most of the attention, but defense, led by 4-star safety Robert Barnes (Oklahoma) and defensive end Luke Jeter (6-3, 235), could lead Dragons to state title.

46. Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge, La.)

2015: 10-3, LHSAA Division I champion (No. 79)
Comment: He's only 5-foot-7, but at 191 pounds and speed to burn, LSU-bound running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire could carry the Bears to another state crown.

47. Jenks (Okla.)

2015: 11-1, OSSAA 6A-1 champion (No. 24)
Comment: The 15-time Oklahoma state champion featured a 153-man roster last year, 135 this season including running back Jordon Curtis and tight end Reese Leitao, a pair of 3-star standouts.

48. Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)

2015: 12-2, UHSAA 5A semifinalist (No. 84)
Comment: With a pair of 4-star recruits, defensive tackle Jay Tufele and Oregon-bound defensive end Langi Tuifua, defense should be the strength of this nine-time state champion.

49. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.)

2015: 14-0, IHSAA 6A champion (No. 20)
Comment: Running back Titus McCoy (1,912 yards, 28 TDs) and Kentucky-bound receiver Russ Yeast return to a team that piled up 477 points last year.

50. Mansfield (Texas)

2015: 12-3, UIL 6A-2 semifinalist (No. 61)
Comment: Don't expect 4-star running back Kennedy Brooks to slow down after rushing last season for 3,522 yards and 42 touchdowns.