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

Video: Early Contenders - No. 23 Oxford (MS)
See why MaxPreps chose Oxford to be part of the preseason Xcellent 25.


1. Oxford
Coach: Johnny Hill
2014 finish: 13-2
Team preview

It's legendary head coach Johnny Hill's final season before retirement, and Oxford seems to be in a position to send him out on top. Kenzie Phillips scored 32 times on the ground last season, but he isn't even Oxford's most dangerous weapon on offense. That distinction belongs to receiver DK Metcalf, who caught 19 touchdown passes last fall. The defense loses several key seniors -- and junior transfer Tony Allen (now at Tampa's Plant High). But there are enough pieces back to help Oxford get back to the 5A title game.

See the Top 14 teams with the most all-time Mississippi state titles

2. South Panola (Batesville)
Coach: Lance Pogue
2014 finish: 15-0; Class 6A state champion
Team preview

South Panola is No. 2 in Mississippi yet it finds itself within the nation's Top 25 -- a testament to the depth of talented teams in the Magnolia State this year. Oluwain Hoskins will look to replace the production lost by the graduation of Darrell Henderson. Defensive end Drelan Porter is one of the state's best. Quarterback Tyler Pogue could be back from injury in time to help guide South Panola through the playoff gauntlet.

See the MaxPreps national football videos page

3. Laurel
Coach: Todd Breland
2014 finish: 13-2; Class 5A state champion
Team preview

Laurel edged Oxford in the Class 5A title game last year, and many people think it has the potential to do it again this fall. Quarterback Keon Howard and tight end Octavious Cooley combined to form one of the state's best pass-catch combinations last season. With 11 touchdowns as a junior, Dante Robinson is a threat at running back that needs to be accounted for.

See the MaxPreps Mississippi football photos page
 
4. Starkville
Coach: Ricky Woods
2014 finish: 13-1
Team preview

Ricky Woods may be new to Starkville this year, but he's no stranger to the Mississippi high school football scene. He won four state titles at South Panola, the team that ended Starkville's season in 2014. Receiver A.J. Brown enters his senior season coming off a 16-touchdown campaign as a junior. Six-foot-2 linebacker Willie Gay was one of the state's most impressive sophomores last season.

See last season's Mississippi football computer rankings

5. Clinton
Coach: Judd Boswell
2014 finish: 10-3
Team preview

Junior quarterback Cam Akers, a newly minted Alabama commit, has the potential to be special for Clinton this season at quarterback. Classmate Darius Maberry, who averaged over seven yards per carry, is another accomplished option on offense. Safety Lamarques Thomas, who nabbed three interceptions last season, leads the defense.