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

Video: Bruce Wright's highlight vs. Hartford end zone view
See the Middlebury player in action.


1. Middlebury
Coach: Pete Brakeley
2014 finish: 11-0
Team preview

The Tigers have a state-best 22-game win streak after capturing the state championship the past two seasons. Many of those players are gone, including all-state quarterback Austin Robinson and all-state running back Bobby Ritter. Honorable mention all-state offensive lineman Bruce Wright is the top returning player for Middlebury.

See the Top 10 teams with the most all-time Vermont state titles

2. Burr & Burton (Manchester)
Coach: Jason Thomas
2014 finish: 8-1
Team preview

The Bulldogs went undefeated during the regular season, but lost in the playoffs to Fair Haven. Burr & Burton could make a much deeper run into the playoffs this year thanks to the return of junior quarterback Griffin Stalcup, who was all-state honorable mention as a sophomore. He will have all-state second-team selection Murray Senecal blocking for him. Meanwhile, the defense includes honorable mention all-state picks Will Baker on the defensive line and Jay McCoy, a sophomore, in the defensive backfield.

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3. Colchester
Coach: Tom Perry
2014 finish: 7-3
Team preview

Colchester came on strong at the end of last season, winning five games in a row before falling to eventual champion Middlebury in the Division I semifinals. Colchester's 7-3 record was its best mark since 2009, when it went 11-0 and won the Division 2 state championship. Coach Tom Perry's club could be in the running for a state title this year thanks to the return of all-state offensive lineman Ryan Casey. The Lakers also have one of the more elusive players in the state in all-state second-team kick returner Dakota Navari.

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4. St. Johnsbury Academy (St. Johnsbury)
Coach: Rich Alercio
2014 finish: 10-1
Team preview

The Hilltoppers posted their best record in nearly two decades last year when they went 10-0 before falling to Middlebury in the state championship game. Coach Rich Alercio has installed a no-huddle offense and the system has paid off with a prolific offense that produced an average of 35 points per game. Only four starters return and two sophomores, quarterback Collin Urie and tight end Brodie Talbot, will be the focus of this year's offensive attack.

See last season's Vermont football computer rankings

5. Fair Haven
Coach: Brian Grady
2014 finish: 7-4
Team preview

A winner of the state championship in 2011, Fair Haven could return to prominence in 2015 behind one of the state's top pass-catch combinations. Wide receiver Lucas Czarnecki earned all-state honors after catching 65 passes for 1,187 yards and 19  touchdowns. Ryan Alexander also returns at quarterback after receiving honorable-mention all-state honors.