MaxPreps 2015 West Virginia preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Mateo Arroyo's highlights vs. Winfield
See the South Charleston High defensive lineman in action last season.


1. South Charleston
Coach: Donnie Mays
2014 finish: 11-3
Team preview

The Black Eagles fell short of winning a state championship in 2014, losing to undefeated Capital in the championship game. Coach Donnie Mays' team has an excellent shot at returning to the title game, however, thanks to the return of 19 starters, 10 of them on offense. Among those returning include all-state quarterback Kentre Grier, all-state receiver Fred Crozier and special mention all-state defenders Derrek Pitts (6-foot-3, 180-pound linebacker) and Mateo Arroyo (6-3, 250, DL).

See the Top 12 teams with the most all-time West Virginia state titles

2. Capital (Charleston)
Coach: Jon Carpenter
2014 finish: 13-0, 3A state champion
Team preview

Capital is riding a 13-game win streak heading into the 2015 season after going undefeated with a state championship in 2014. The Cougars will miss running back Kashuan Haley, who was the Class 3A all-state captain last year after rushing for 1,726 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was the winner of the inaugural Curt Warner Award, given out by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association to the state's top running back. However, Capital has one of the state's top prospects in quarterback Tyrhee Pratt, who has committed to West Virginia. Pratt, a dual-threat passer, threw for 1,965 yards and 25 touchdowns last year while rushing for 658 yards and 11 scores.

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3. Cabell Midland (Ona)
Coach: Luke Salmons
2014 finish: 10-2
Team preview

The Knights have averaged 10 wins a year in the past four seasons under coach Luke Salmons, including a 10-2 season last year. Salmons can rely on a number of veterans (12 returning starters), including all-state second-team defensive end Reese Donahue (6-5, 240), who had 16 sacks last year, and running back Caperton Humphrey, who rushed for 1,341 yards. The Knights also return their leading tackler from last year in Chris Camp (108 tackles), who was a team captain as a junior. Jacob Hendricks, one of the team's leading scorers last year with 13 touchdowns, also returns.

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4. Martinsburg
Coach: David Walker
2014 finish: 11-2
Team preview

The Bulldogs' unprecedented run of four straight Class 3A state championships came to an end last season with a loss to Capital in the playoffs. Martinsburg has averaged 13 wins over the past five seasons, but coach David Walker will have to replace a number of top players, including Class 3A all-state defensive captain Isaiah Honesty at linebacker. Carter Walburn, a special mention all-state linebacker last year, is the top returning defender for the Knights.

See last season's West Virginia football computer rankings

5. Bridgeport
Coach: Josh Nicewarner
2014 finish: 13-1
Team preview

The winner of two straight Class AA state championships, Bridgeport could be in line for a third. The Indians return their top offensive and defensive performers from last year in all-state running back Dylan Tonkery and defensive back Dante Bonamico. Tonkery rushed for 1,557 yards last year while Bonamico, who ran for 1,072 yards on offense, was the state defensive MVP. The defense also returns all-state second-team defensive lineman Noah Markley (58 tackles).