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

Video: Connor Carlson's highlight vs. Minneapolis South
See the Eden Prairie quarterback in action last season.


1. Eden Prairie
Coach: Mike Grant
2014 finish: 13-0
Team preview

The Eagles have captured four consecutive state championships and are looking to keep the ball rolling in 2015. Some key stalwarts from last year's defense return, and that may be the strong point for coach Grant's team this season. The front seven will be anchored by linebacker and Minnesota commit Carter Coughlin and defensive tackle Connor Novak-Goar, who both had impressive junior seasons. Athlete JD Spielman should contribute on both sides of the ball, giving quarterback Connor Carlson a viable option on the offensive side of the ball. The team opens with Totino-Grace, a rematch of last season's state title game.

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

2. Totino-Grace (Fridley)
Coach: Jeffrey Ferguson
2014 finish: 11-3
Team preview

Coach Ferguson's team suffered a heartbreaking loss in last year's Class 6A Prep Bowl, which came down to a 2-point conversion that wasn't converted. Losing the top two offensive performers from the 2014 team won't make the road to redemption any easier, but coach Ferguson's track record of winning speaks for itself.

The Eagles will run out one of the younger teams in the state, but lack of experience will not be an issue. The new quarterback is Jacob Zurbay, and in his arsenal will be Brady Bertram and Gayflor Flomo. Defensively, defensive ends Lewis Kidd and Hunter Christenson will be a load to handle for opposing offensive lines.

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3. Mankato West
Coach: Mark Esch
2014 finish: 12-1
Team preview

The Class 5A state champions from a year ago enter the season in a good position to replicate the outcome of 2014. Coach Esch has a rich history of developing quarterbacks, and next in line is sophomore Zack Annexstad. The spread offense should set the table for Annexstad to showcase his talent from the get-go. Look for Van Neils to be a bruising option out of the backfield and Brock Annexstad to contribute on the outside for the Scarlets' offense.
Don't sleep on the defensive unit that will be anchored by Charlie Schwartz and Noah Erickson. Coach Esch's squad may be the darling of Class 5A once again when all is said and done.

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4. Maple Grove
Coach: Matt Lombardi
2014 finish: 10-2
Team preview

Maple Grove plays in Class 6A, adding another team to the difficult class. A loss in the semifinals a year ago ended the season for the Crimson. However, they should be a contender once again this season as they welcome back a host of talent from last year's team.

Offense looks to be the talking point for coach Lombardi's squad, led by quarterback Brad Davison, who will be accompanied by Evan Skaja and Isaac Collins, who figures to be a key contributor on both sides of the ball.
The Crimson will go on the road to open the season when they face off with rival Osseo.

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5. DeLaSalle (Minneapolis)
Coach: Sean McMenomy
2014 finish: 12-2
Team preview

The Class of 2015 was one of the better ones that coach McMenomy has had in recent years, and replacing those players will be the task at hand this season. The Islanders were hit hard by graduation and lost nearly all of their offensive production from a season ago. The keys are now in Nick Weber's hands, as he will be the signal caller for the offense this fall. A host of new faces will check in across the receiving core, but sophomore running back Sage Booker should provide solid production and may be one of the most exciting youngsters the state has to offer.
Coach McMenomy will lean on Marcos Luna to anchor the defensive unit.

Experience may be the biggest question for the Islanders this season.