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

Video: 2015 highlights - Jedrick Wills Jr.
See the Lafayette big man in action last season


1. Lafayette (Lexington)
Head coach: Eric Shaw
2015 record: 13-3
Team preview

The Generals had their trophy-raising hopes crushed after a loss to the Male Bulldogs in the Class 6A championship game last season. While head coach Eric Shaw will have to fill the holes left by the star running back and offensive line, the Generals return the majority of their key contributors from last year.

Offensively, Lafayette will feel more than protected by one of the most sought-after linemen in the country in Jedrick Wills Jr. Dropping back in the pocket will be senior Walker Wood, who led his team in almost every category, including his 2,859 all-purpose yards and 43 touchdowns. Wood will have plenty of options at receiver in returners Quinten Brown, who led the Generals with 1,219 receiving yards, and junior Matthew Guilfoil. The defensive side of the ball will be led by their leading tackler last season, junior linebacker Ean Shaw.

The Generals are still fighting for the first state championship in school history.

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2. Trinity (Louisville)
Head coach: Bob Beatty
2015 record: 11-2
Team preview Last season saw Trinity's only two losses of the season come against the eventual state champion Male Bulldogs. Those two setbacks aside, the Shamrocks more than took care of business against some of the top teams in the state. The 23-time state champion Shamrocks were forced to say their farewells to much of their offensive stars last season, however the defense, which gave up an average of 9.1 points per game last season, welcomes back some of its best athletes, all of whom would like nothing more than to bring the throne back to Louisville.

The now-healthy and always quick Zyan Bethel will be patrolling the defensive backfield after being limited to just eight games last year. Beside him is senior safety Luke Eskins, who tied for the team lead with three interceptions. The offense will have a question mark at quarterback, and transfer Rondale Moore, one of the hottest wide receiver recruits in the country, is just a junior and will use his speed to find holes in opposing defenses.

If the Shamrocks can find lightning in a bottle at the quarterback spot, look out for Moore and Reed to take care of business.

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3. South Warren (Bowling Green)
Head coach: Brandon Smith
2015 record: 15-0
Team preview

The Spartans took Class 4A by storm by winning all 15 of their games and blowing out Johnson Central 36-6 to win the first football state championship in school history. Head coach Brandon Smith is quickly building a winning tradition out at South Warren. In fact, although they have only had a football team for a short duration, through their first five seasons the Spartans have a 37-14 overall record.

The defending champs are loaded at the forefront, with as many as four players with offers from Division 1 programs. Among those four are quarterback Ryder Litten and receiver CJ Hayes, a tandem who have a shot to set the offensive statistical standard for South Warren football for years to come. A defensive front with tackle Jacob Lacey and end Zach Haynes could potentially be the best dual threat in the state.

The Spartans are the face of Class 4A and could end up making a run at claiming the top spot in all of Kentucky.

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4. Male (Louisville)
Head coach: Chris Wolfe
2015 record: 15-0
Team Preview

It is well understood that the Male Bulldogs are one of the most dominant high school football programs in the state. Year in and year out, they have the coaching and raw talent to build a solid team on the gridiron. Nonetheless, 20 of the 22 starters for Male graduated last year, forcing the Bulldogs into an unfamiliar rebuilding year. Of course, a possible down year for Male is still good enough to make it one of the best squads in Kentucky.

Fortunately, one of the few returners will be senior quarterback Tony Thomas jr., who took over the duties in the playoffs last year. Questions remain who Thomas will be handling the ball off to, but they may lean on Dayveon Higgs, who ranked second on the team with 324 rushing yards on 64 carries. Senior safety Robert Sheffield and senior linebacker Stephon Mayes will share the responsibility of leading and teaching this fresh new defense.

The Male football team may be encountering a season it has never had to deal with to this extremity, but if any program can pull it off, Male is first in line.

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5. Bowling Green
Head coach: Kevin Wallace
2015 finish: 14-1
Team preview

The Bowling Green Purples may be the most underrated on the list, simply due to the fact that they have seven offensive starters returning to defend their 2015 championship trophy.

Among those seven starters is star senior running back Jamale Carothers, who totaled over 2,000 yards of offense including 26 touchdowns in 2015. Handing Carothers the ball and providing the passing game will be second-year starter Clark Payne. Wideouts Deangelo Wilson and Ziyon Kenner will provide a deep dual threat for Payne to pass to. Defensively, the Purples lost seven starters, but will rely on defensive back Tyler Stahl to build on his 41-tackle production from last season.

The Purples will have a lighter schedule compared with the others on the list, but watch out for Carothers and company to do some damage in Class 5A.