Video: Early Contenders - No. 1 De La Salle (CA)
See how we revealed the No. 1 team in the nation.2015 California Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. De La Salle (Concord)Coach: Justin Alumbaugh
2014 finish: 14-0
Team previewThe nation's No. 1 team and defending state Open Division champion returns 12 starters, six on each side of the ball, including two-way starter
Devin Asiasi, a 4-star recruit at tight end and defensive end.
Boss Tagaloa, one of the program's only four-year starters, leads the line, while a pair of 1,900-yard rushers
Andrew Hernandez and
Antoine Custer return to lead the offense along with talented but oft-injured quarterback
Anthony Sweeney, the team's undisputed leader.
See the MaxPreps national football videos page2. Centennial (Corona)Coach: Matt Logan
2014 finish: 12-3
Team previewCentennial is back after reaching the Open Division State Bowl Game.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Few teams in the state return a better trio of skill players in quarterback
Anthony Catalano, running back
J.J. Taylor (1,600 yards) and receiver
Javon Mckinley. Cal commit
Daniel Juarez anchors a terrific offensive line while leading 2014 tackler
Zach Brumbaugh and safety
Chacho Ulloa lead the defense.
See the MaxPreps California photos page
3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower) Coach: Jason Negro
2014 finish: 12-2
Team previewThe 2013 state Open Division champions lost All-American quarterback Josh Rosen to graduation — he's now a potential starter at UCLA — but return one of the best and fastest running backs in the country in
Sean McGrew (1,814 rushing yards, 28 touchdowns). Look for his total of 243 touches in 2014 to increase this season. A new starting quarterback will benefit from having two top receivers,
Jared Harrell and
Anselem Umeh, returning along with one of the country's top offensive tackles in
Wyatt Davis.
See last season's California football computer rankings4. Bishop Amat (La Puente)Coach: Steve Hagerty
2014 finish: 9-4
Team previewWith two quarterbacks —
Ryder Ruiz and
Damian Garcia — who each threw for more than 1,800 yards last season, superb running back
Torreahno Sweet and talented receiver
Tyler Vaughns (83 catches, 1,183 yards, 12 touchdowns) all returning, the Lancers should put up plenty of points in 2015. Top tacklers Matt Terlizzi and
Aaron Austin should spearhead the defense.
See the MaxPreps California football playoff brackets5. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)Coach: Bruce Rollinson
2014 finish: 9-3
Team previewThe Monarchs were the ultimate team last season. Seventeen different players carried the ball and five topped 100 yards, led by 526 from
Brandon Lamarche. He scored nine touchdowns. Seven different players hauled in between 15 and 31 passes and returner
Curtis Robinson had 25 catches. Nine different players had between 30 and 55 tackles, including 40 by Robinson. Expect much of the same for a team boasting 119 players on its roster.