2016 San Diego Section Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Highlights of Rancho Bernardo running back Milan Grice in state championship win last season
See the Broncos star in action last season


1. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego)
Head coach: Tristan McCoy
2015 record: 13-2
Team preview

The Broncos return 11 key players from last year's state championship team, including starting quarterback Mark Salazar (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) and running back Milan Grice (5-9, 180).

Rancho Bernardo won the SDS Division II title with a 41-23 win over Mt. Carmel, took the regional crown with a 31-30 victory over Oak Hills, then defeated Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) 35-14 for the state crown.



Salazar threw for 2,248 yards and 21 touchdowns and Grice rushed for 1,872 yards and 23 scores. The Broncos also return superb receiver Leo Wagner, who had 29 catches for 432 yards and three scores last year. The team's challenge will be replacing its top four tacklers on defense, all whom graduated.

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2. St. Augustine (San Diego)
Head coach: Richard Sanchez
2015 record: 10-3
Team preview With 12 starters back, including starting quarterback Rodney Thompson (6-2, 185), the Saints appear ready to at the very least repeat as Eastern League champions.

Other key returners are senior defensive back and wide receiver Tariq Thompson (6-0, 180) and junior defensive back Isaac Taylor-Stuart (6-3, 175). Sanchez believes Thompson, a dual threat, and his defense are the team's strengths.

Thompson led the Saints to the SDS Open Division final, only to lose 44-30 to Helix. Thompson threw for 1,705 yards and 24 touchdowns and he rushed for 579 yards, including sacks, and seven more scores.

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3. Helix (La Mesa)
Head coach: Robbie Owens
2015 record: 11-2
Team preview



The Highlanders return eight starters from last year's team, including 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker and halfback Ezekiel Noa, strong safety and wide receiver Scott Young (6-0, 195) and senior lineman Blayke Taeatafa De La Rosa (6-0, 285).

Owens likes what he sees from his skill position guys while he implements a new offense. Line depth is a concern, though. The offense was pretty good last year averaging 44.5 points per game. Owens takes over for previous head coach Troy Starr, who led his team to a state title.

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4. Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista)
Head coach: John Joyner
2015 record: 14-1
Team preview

The Crusaders hope to build off a landmark state championship last season, and with starting quarterback Chris Jones and leading rusher C.J. Verdell returning, they appear in good shape.

Jones threw for 2,147 yards and 25 touchdowns last season and Verdell rushed 169 times for 2,135 yards and 28 touchdowns. Mater Dei also returns leading receiver Eli Shelton (23 catches, 804 yards, 35.0 average, 11 touchdowns).

The Crusaders won the SDS Division IV title, the Southern Regional title and the state Division V-AA crown.



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5. Madison (San Diego)
Head coach: Rick Jackson
2015 record: 8-3
Team preview

The Warhawks return 10 starters, including leading rusher Erick Buchanan (5-8, 185), and will pick up key younger players from a JV team that went 10-0 last season.

Other key players are senior linebacker Sampson Niu (6-1, 220) and senior lineman Jojo Falo (6-2, 280). Buchanan rushed for 968 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. Senior starting quarterback Terrell Carter also returns after throwing for 1,441 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. Leading receivers Brandon Lewis (26 catches, 500 yards, 10 touchdowns) also returns.