MaxPreps 2014 South Carolina preseason high school football Fab 5

1. Dutch Fork (Irmo)
2013 record: 12-3; AAAA-I state champion
Head coach: Tom Knotts

Twelve starters are back from last year's state title-winning squad, and Dutch Fork is the clear favorite to win another title in 2014. Matt Colburn rushed for 2,289 yards and 36 scores last year and returns to lead the offense. A matchup in Texas against superpower Allen will put Dutch Fork in the national spotlight.

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2. Northwestern (Rock Hill)
2013 record: 15-0; AAAA-II state champion
Head coach: Kyle Richardson

Mason Rudolph is gone, but Kyle Richardson's squad has shown the ability to reload in the past. Harper Woods was effective in limited action as a sophomore and figures to take over behind center. He has the luxury of throwing to one of the state's most prolific receivers of all time: Dupree Hart.

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3. Spartanburg
2013 record: 6-6
Head coach: Chris Miller

Chris Miller has his feet planted firmly as Spartanburg's head coach as he enters his second season at the program's helm. The team was very young last year, particularly on offense. Austin Scott returns at quarterback. Tavien Feaster, the No. 10 recruit in the 2016 247Composite, is dangerous running the ball or catching it out of the backfield.

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4. Byrnes (Duncan)
2013 record: 12-2
Head coach: Brian Lane

South Carolina's most dominant program over the last 10 years, Byrnes could be at a crossroads. The team is on its third head coach in three seasons, though new coach Brian Lane has a long history with the program. Not only does the team lose historically great quarterback Shuler Bentley, but his brother Jake, the expected heir apparent, is now playing in Alabama. Still, with Isaiah Hill and Tavin Richardson, there is no shortage of weapons for whoever emerges at quarterback.

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5. Goose Creek
2013 record: 12-1
Head coach: Chuck Reedy

In the past four seasons, Goose Creek has lost only three games. Caleb Kinlaw has moved on, but Tyrik Johnson and his 24 touchdowns return in the backfield. K.J. Wood, who was in on 119 tackles, is back at linebacker.