MaxPreps 2014 Kansas preseason football Fab 5

1. Olathe North
2013 finish: 8-4
Head coach: Gene Wier
Team preview

The Eagles return 18 starters, nine on each side of the ball, including Ohio State-bound wide receiver Josh Moore and senior quarterback Cole Murphy. Starting running back Venus Triplett is also back along with senior linebacker Marcel Spears, who will play at Iowa State next year. Murphy threw for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns last year while also rushing for 808 yards and eight scores. Triplett, meanwhile, led the Sunflower League in rushing with 1,530 yards and 25 touchdowns. Spears ranked fourth in the conference in tackles with 119.

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2. Bishop Carroll (Wichita)
2013 finish: 10-1
Head coach: Alan Schuckman
Team preview



Winner of the state championship in 2012, Bishop Carroll won its first 10 games in 2013 before falling to South (Salina) 21-19 in the playoffs. The Golden Eagles return 16 starters, including Kansas State commit Denzel Goolsby at running back and Colton Howell at quarterback. Howell also has his top two targets back in Blake Newell and 6-foot-6 tight end Brett Bell. Howell threw for 998 yards and 15 touchdowns last year while Bell caught 11 passes for 118 yards and Newell caught 14 passes for 116 yards.

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3. Derby
2013 finish: 12-1
Head coach: Brandon Clark
Team preview

The Panthers won the Class 6A state championship and lost six Division I players to graduation. However, Division I prospect Darreon Jackson returns at defensive back while Nate Crossman is the top returning linebacker and Conor Griebling and Chase Branstetter both return at defensive end. Junior Brady Rust takes over at quarterback while transfer Curtis Whitten will play running back.

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4. Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission)
2013 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Jon Holmes
Team preview



The Stags feature one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Ryan Willis, who is headed to Kansas next year. Willis was honorable mention all-state as a junior with 2, 983 yards passing and 31 touchdowns. Willis is one of eight returning starters on offense. Dawson Downing, a junior running back who earned honorable mention all-league last year, returns along with all-league defensive lineman Peter Smardo and offensive lineman Brandon Gonzalez.

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5. Pittsburg
2013 finish: 6-3
Head coach: Tom Nickelson
Team preview

The Dragons went just 6-3 last year, but they return 16 starters, including running back Alex Barnes, who ran for 1,350 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior. Pittsburg also looks solid on the offensive line with returning starter Sage Mahnken (6-3, 265). Will Mengarelli fortifies the run game at fullback and will also play linebacker.