MaxPreps 2013 Oregon preseason football Fab 5

Jesuit is the top program in the state this season. But watch out for Sherwood, Central Catholic, Sheldon and Dayton.

MaxPreps 2013 Oregon Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

Henry Mondeaux and Jesuit have reason to be stoked.The Crusaders are the top team in our Oregon Fab 5.

Photo by Jeff Napier

1. Jesuit (Portland)
Head coach: Ken Potter
2012 finish: 10-3, 6A semifinalist
Team preview

The Crusaders have the support of the 20 collective writers who contribute to the Oregonlive.com 6A poll, grabbing the preseason top spot over Sheldon, the team that knocked them out 28-21 in the semifinals last season. There is talent all around on this team at the skill spots and on defense, with Stanford-bound linebacker Joey Alfieri (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) leading the way. Senior tight end Henry Mondeaux (6-5, 255) and defensive end Christian Martinek (6-5, 240) are also impact players. But they will need to replace the entire offensive line, and four of those players were Division I recruits, no small task. Jesuit loves to run the ball, and having to find a new quarterback to go with a new offensive line will make that part of the game imperative.

"The formula is simple. Each year, the Jesuit High School football team depends on a sizable offensive line to open up gaping holes for its running backs. And each year, the Crusaders make a deep playoff run. So Jesuit offensive line coach John Andreas isn’t worried that he only returns one player this year with significant varsity starting experience. The Crusaders will simply do what they always do, he reasons. They’ll reload."
- Connor Letourneau, Beaverton Leader

See the Top 15 Oregon football dyansties

2. Sherwood
Head coach: Greg Lawrence
2012 finish: 13-0, 5A champion
Team preview

The Bowmen were an unstoppable force last season in winning their second state title in three years and begin this campaign with 18 of 20 first-place votes in the Oregonlive.com poll for 5A teams. This program has won 39 of 40 contests and will need to replace its quarterback in the Wing-T format. Keegan Lawrence will return at running back (79 carries, 832 yards, 12 touchdowns) and so will Mickey Schaefer (100-1,005-14), as part of an offense that spreads the ball around when it comes to handoffs. Lawrence led the team last season with 11 receptions, and gained national notoriety when he and coach Lawrence engaged in a failed touchdown celebration that left the coach hurting. On defense, Jake Reimer comes back at linebacker after finishing third on the team in tackles and Jordan Kurahara posted six sacks. There is also experience coming back on the offensive line, making this another well-rounded squad that should contend for a state title.

"My rib's killing me. He's a little stronger than I thought."
- Head coach Greg Lawrence to Oregonlive.com, about Keegan Lawrence

See last season's Oregon All-league football teams

Aidan Wilder, Central Catholic

Photo by Brian Murphy

3. Central Catholic (Portland)
Head coach: Steve Pyne
2012 finish: 9-3, 6A quarterfinalist
Team preview

The offense is going to be talented, fast and experienced for the Rams, as they have eight starters coming back, including fourth-year quarterback Aidan Wilder (19 touchdowns, 5 interceptions), Oregon State commit Ryan Nall (fullback/linebacker who led the team in rushing) and defensive end Connor Humphreys, regarded as the top recruit in the state by the 247Sports composite rankings. Humphreys may move to nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme. Junior running back Cameron Scarlett is starting to gain recruiting interest as well, and he will play a much bigger role on offense plus as a defensive back. The defense, however, will need to mature quickly, and Pyne has mentioned that the kicking game is still a question mark.

"(Humphreys) is on par with the best kids we’ve had. He will be the heart and soul of our defense. People are going to have to know where he’s lined up and have a plan for him because there aren’t many guys in our state that can handle him one-on-one.”
- Head coach Steve Pyne to Oregonlive.com

See which players from Oregon high schools were on NFL rosters last season

4. Sheldon (Eugene)
Head coach: Lane Johnson
2012 finish: 14-0, 6A champion
Team preview

The defending champs bring back four starters on each side of the ball but will be replacing their quarterback and key pieces on the offensive line. Still, talented players are back for the Irish after they beat Lake Oswego, 13-6. Mitchell Herbert (WR/FS) has an FBS offer and an FCS offer, so does defensive end Liam Talty. All-league performer Tanner Davies (guard) and starting tackle Marcus McGovern return as well. Junior Kellen Strahm comes back at cornerback. The spread offense will be led by Joseph Kuehn at quarterback, a young man who is getting his shot in his third varsity campaign. State Player of the Year Connor Strahm has moved on to the University of Montana, leaving a void at receiver and in the defensive backfield.

"I’ve told the kids 100 times, it doesn’t matter what I think, it matters what they think, and they thought they were a state championship team the whole year. I became a believer about four or five weeks ago. I just got on their backs and rode with them.”
- Head coach Lane Johnson to Oregonlive.com after winning the state title

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5. Dayton
Head coach: Brodie Unger
2012 finish: 12-0, 3A champion
Team preview

The Pirates cruised to a third-straight season with double-digit victories in the first year for Unger, and beat Cascade Christian 34-28 in the state final. This season, they will look to defend the crown after only seven seniors left, though they were important ones, in running back Forrest Garcia and quarterback Nathan Bernards. Still, the offensive line brings back all but one player and a huge number of underclassmen from last year's squad will come back with experience. This program has won seven state titles in nine years, so the names may change, but the quality doesn't.

"“Horizon Christian literally made us go away from the offense that we were running. We’d been practicing what we call our ‘Thunder’ set, knowing that you’re not always going to win games with your spread offense, so you need a backup plan. That was our backup plan. It was just a power run game. That’s old-school Dayton football right there, going back to coach Sullivan. I couldn’t be more proud of our guys."
- Head coach Brodie Unger to Oregonlive.com after a West Valley League victory