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

Video: Syrus Tuitele - 2015-16 highlights
See the Pleasant Valley big man in action


1. Pleasant Valley (Chico)
Head coach: Mark Cooley
2015 record: 12-1
Team preview

Coach Mark Cooley became just the third coach in Northern Section history to win section titles with two different schools after leading the Vikings to the Division II title in 2015. He previously led Hamilton (Hamilton City) to several Northern Section titles. Now he will be looking to repeat as a section champ and he has 15 returning starters to work with. Among them is Syrus Tuitele, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound defensive lineman who ranks among the best in California. The Vikings also return all-section cornerback Jordan Cooley (Mark's son) as well as Kyle Lindquist (6-4, 190), who takes over at quarterback.

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2. Sutter
Head coach: Ryan Reynolds
2015 record: 9-5
Team preview The Huskies endured four losses during the regular season last year, a rarity during Ryan Reynolds' time as head coach, but they rebounded in the postseason to defeat Orland, the league champion, for the Division III championship. Reynolds returns 15 starters from last year, including his son Tyler Reynolds at quarterback. The younger Reynolds is just a junior, but he begins his second year as the starter. Logan Hungrige, an all-section defensive lineman, also returns. The Huskies also have a 10-0 junior varsity team moving up to help.

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3. Foothill (Palo Cedro)
Head coach: Joey Brown
2015 record: 7-5
Team preview

The Cougars struggled at times last season despite having one of the section's most prolific passing games. Fortunately quarterback Trent Banner (section-record 3,075 yards) returns along with the team's top receiver Patrick Blake (74 catches, 1,302 yards). The defense also returns one of the team's top players from last year in linebacker Bryan Harvey, who had 74 tackles as a junior.

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4. Enterprise (Redding)
Head coach: Russell McWilliams
2015 record: 5-6
Team preview

After winning three straight section championships, and making an appearance in the CIF Division II Bowl Game in 2013, the Hornets slumped to 5-6 last year in coach Darren Trueblood's final season with the Hornets. Russell McWilliams takes over and he will have 10 starters returning from last year, including six on defense. Enterprise figures to be solid in the backfield where Joe Merkel, Victor Penn-Nash and Kieland Gipson all return.

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5. Shasta (Redding)
Head coach: J.C. Hunsaker
2015 record: 10-2
Team preview

The Wolves had a strong season in the first year under J.C. Hunsaker, going 10-2 and reaching the Division II championship game. Both of Shasta's losses were to section champion Pleasant Valley last season. A number of the top skill players are gone, but Kyale Muckel returns after scoring 15 touchdowns last year. The Wolves also have one of the section's top linemen in Kary Kutsch (6-5, 275).