MaxPreps 2017 Connecticut preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Drew Pyne Ultimate Highlights
See the New Canaan quarterback in action.


1. New Canaan
2016 record: 12-1
Head coach: Lou Marinelli

The Class L champion Rams return to defend their title with rising sophomore quarterback Drew Pyne to lead them into 2017. The signal caller with at least five D-I college offers threw for 2,347 yards and 26 touchdowns as a freshman, also scampering for 430 yards and three scores.

New Canaan needs to replace graduated senior runners Graham Braden and Ryan O'Connell, who combined for nearly 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Rising junior wide receiver Quintin O'Connell returns after catching 45 passes for 695 yards and seven scores as a sophomore.

Middle linebacker Grant Morse returns after recording 85 tackles last season.
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2. Darien
2016 record: 13-0
Head coach: Robert Trifone

The Blue Wave rolls into 2017 as the defending LL state champions, but must replace graduated senior quarterback Brian Peters, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 34 scores in 2016.

Leading rusher Finlay Collins also is gone from last year's squad after running for nearly 1,000 yards, but Mitchell Pryor is a rising senior who ran for 741 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior.

Wide receivers Max Grant and Nick Green both return after combining for more than 1,200 yards receiving and 14 scores. Green also had 80 tackles.

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3. Ridgefield
2016 record: 10-3
Head coach: Kevin Callahan

The LL runner ups head into the new season with rising senior quarterback Greg Gatto ready to take the keys to the offense after splitting time last season. In 2016, Gatto threw for 1,180 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Tigers need to replace graduated running back Shane Palmers' 973 yards and nine scores.

Matt Lombardo returns at wideout after two scores and 297 yards receiving.

Noah Isaacson and Alex Cali are the top returning tacklers with 85 and 81, respectively.

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4. Cheshire
2016 record: 6-4
Head coach: Don Durst

The Rams look to rising senior quarterback Jack Raba after he threw for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He's joined in the backfield by Elijah Allston, who ran for 632 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore.

Gone is All-State wide receiver Mike Millea.

Middle linebacker Nick Nelson is back for his senior year after 101 tackles in 2016.

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5. Xavier (Middletown)
2016 record: 6-4
Head coach: Andy Guyon

The Falcons will have to replace Glenn Cunningham's 1,100 yards rushing and 12 TDs, but Xavier will rely on rising senior quarterback Will Levis. Levis threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 19 scores in 2016.

Inside linebacker Ryan Cartelli is back after 98 tackles as a sophomore and senior wideout/safety Kyle MacGillis also returns.