MaxPreps 2014 Los Angeles City Section preseason football Fab 5

1. Narbonne (Harbor City)
2013 finish: 11-3, Division I section finalist
Head coach: Manuel Douglas
Team preview

The Gauchos have a bad taste in their mouths after dropping the City title game last season to Crenshaw, and though they are talented this season, they also have a brutal nonleague slate. Palos Verdes, Long Beach Poly, Alemany, Serra and Los Alamitos are the nonleague opponents for Narbonne - no easy task. But the team returns 10 defensive starters and eight offensive starters, which means those nonleague opponents shouldn't treat Narbonne as an underdog. Senior defensive back Trevon Bierria is committed to San Jose State and Jon'tae Roberson will contribute in a variety of ways with his athleticism. Down low, big man Kaenakai Lua is listed at 6-foot-1, 315 pounds. The roster is low on numbers compared with some squads, so depth could be an issue.

See the Top 20 most dominant Los Angeles City Section football teams in the MaxPreps era

2. Garfield (Los Angeles)
2013 finish: 8-4
Head coach: Lorenzo Hernandez
Team preview

The Bulldogs are looking to break into the upper echelons and this could be a great opportunity. They have seven offensive starters returning and eight on the defensive side, plus another preseason schedule that will test them. Last year they face Venice, Edison (Huntington Beach) and St. Bonaventure, and this season will swap San Clemente for St. Bonny while rematching with the other two. Garfield was bounced in the second round by Carson, but will look to returning quarterback Stevie Williams, receiver Cleo Session Jr. and slotback Marquis Williams to go deeper this time. All three play in the defensive backfield. Finding a running back to handle that load will be a question mark.

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3. Crenshaw (Los Angeles)
2013 finish: 10-4, Division I section champion
Head coach: Robert Garrett
Team preview

A 1-4 start gave way to a torrid finish, including wins over Venice and Narbonne to wrap up the title. But after that, the news is bleak for the Cougars. They have no starters returning and the JV team was 4-6 last season. Still, this is Crenshaw, a place where Garrett has consistently had the players to be a title contender. The nonleague schedule is outright heavy with Long Beach Poly, Bakersfield and St. John Bosco - so even if the Cougars win a title, it's virtually impossible that they would do so with an undefeated record.

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4. Venice (Los Angeles)
2013 finish: 10-3
Head coach: Angelo Gasca
Team preview

The Gondoliers always dominate in the Western League (50-1 record in the MaxPreps era). But they just can't seem to get atop the section (11-8 playoff record). That task will be a lot more difficult this season as the pass-happy Gondos said goodbye to quarterback Alexander Diamont. Nineteen of the 63 players on the roster are seniors, which signals that some rebuilding may be going on along Venice Boulevard. And three All-City first team players graduated along with the Co-Offensive Player of the Year and the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Still, a playoff spot and maybe making some noise in the postseason would not surprise many.

See the MaxPreps Los Angeles City Section football computer rankings

5. San Fernando
2013 finish: 15-0, Division II section champion
Head coach: Robert Garcia
Team preview

The Tigers continue to grow as a force, regardless of the fact that they play in Division II. Eight offensive starters return and seven from the defensive side, and the offensive line is expected to be a big asset. Nick Maldonado was a first team All-City offensive lineman last season and senior linebacker Aaron Alvarado will be expected to produce. Quarterback Cristian Solano, a dynamic player, moved on to the University of Nevada, so quarterback will be a spot to watch.