MaxPreps 2012 South Dakota preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012 South Dakota Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Roosevelt (Sioux Falls)
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Kim Nelson
Team preview
The Rough Riders avenged their only loss during the regular season by defeating Washington 31-17 in the Class 11AA state championship game. Roosevelt has won three state titles since 2006, but has won only two league titles since 2003. Coach Kim Nelson returns just one starter on defense and four on offense, but he has a quick, athletic defense led by senior linebacker John Wessell (6-foot-2, 215 pounds), junior defensive end Kory Lindquist (6-3, 200) and senior defensive tackle Chase Potas (6-0, 205). Search for Roosevelt players on our 2011 South Dakota All-League football teams list.

2. Washington (Sioux Falls)
2011 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Tal Farnham
Team preview
Winners of the Class 11AA state championship in 2009 and 2010, the Warriors fell short in 2011. However, Washington returns some of the top talent in the state, including defensive back Nathan Gerry, quarterback Jon Hander and offensive lineman Austin Kuhnert. Hander threw for 1,761 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior while Gerry, an All-State pick, had three interceptions and 70 tackles. Kuhnert ranks as one of the state's top offensive linemen. Washington ranked No. 2 in our June, 2011 list of the Top 10 South Dakota football dynasties.

3. O'Gorman (Sioux Falls)
2011 finish: 8-3
Head coach: Steve Kueter
Team preview
A powerhouse in the middle of the last decade when it won six straight league titles and a pair of state crowns, O'Gorman finished in third place in league play last year, but played eventual state champion Roosevelt close in both of their meetings. O'Gorman ranks No. 2 in our list of South Dakota's Top 10 most consistent football programs.

4. Tri-Valley (Colton)
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Steve Bazata
Team preview
The Mustangs overwhelmed teams by an average of four touchdowns a game en route to winning their third Class 11B state championship in five seasons. Coach Steve Bazata returns eight starters from last year, including starting quarterback Brett Page (5-10, 160) and running back Logan Koopman (5-8, 160). Defensive lineman Dominic Burgraff (6-2, 220) figures to be one of the state's top defensive ends.

5. Dell Rapids
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Steven Hansen
Team preview
After suffering a loss to Tri-Valley early in the season, Dell Rapids rattled off eight straight wins to claim the Class 11A state title. The championship was the second in a row for the Quarriers and the third in four seasons. Cole Langer, the grandson of NFL Hall of Fame center Jim Langer, ranks as one of the state's top linebackers despite missing much of last season with an injury. You can find Dell Rapids listed often on our list of South Dakota state football champions for the past 10 years.