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

Video: Justin Jones' highlight vs. Archbishop Stepinac
See the Canisius High receiver in action last season.


1. Canisius (Buffalo)
Coach: Rich Robbins
2014 finish: 12-0
Team preview

It's rare for the kicking game to be front and center as the No. 1 strength for a team, but that's the case for Canisius. Ohio State commit Blake Haubeil, a junior, has been ranked as the nation's No. 1 kicker by Kohl's Kicking Camps.
Canisius will be minus the top recruit in the state, 6-foot-6 tight end Tyrone Wheatley Jr., along with 16 other starters who have graduated. Wheatley is now a freshman at Michigan.

But 6-3, 190-pound senior wide receiver/outside linebacker Justin Jones, a pure athlete with game-breaking ability, is back along with guard/defensive tackle Richard Roberson (5-10, 295) and wide receiver/safety Alaan Montgomery (6-3, 170).

See the Top 13 New York quarterbacks to watch for

2. Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains)
Coach: Mike O'Donnell
2014 finish: 12-1
Team preview

The Crusaders are fresh winning their first CHSFL title in 49 years. Stepinac, equipped with size and speed, returns 10 starters, led by 6-3, 185-pound quarterback Tyquell Fields, who is being recruited by Towson, Old Dominion and Monmouth.

Other senior standouts include wide receiver/cornerback Terrell Morrison and fullback/linebacker Daniel Negron. Morris, also a track standout, has scholarship offers from 10 Division I programs, including Army. Negron, who has more than 200 tackles in his career and a 3.9 grade-point average, is being recruited by Ivy and Patriot league programs.

Also returning are three-year starting center Khaleb Celaj, two-year starting safety Jaychar Howell, 6-4, 225-pound defensive end Malcolm Koonce, 6-4, 315-pound offensive tackle David Harris and defensive end Robinson DeLaCruz, who was voted into Top 5 among defensive linemen at Nike Opening competition.

Antonio Giannico, a junior running back/linebacker who already has an offer from Bryant, leads a large group of newcomers.

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3. Jamestown
Coach: Tom Langworthy
2014 finish: 12-1
Team preview

Jamestown's NYSPHSAA Class AA state title was its fourth, the most in state history, along with Maine-Endwell.
First-team all-state quarterback Nikkolas Holland is a dynamic playmaker, who, at 5-10, 210 pounds, is also a powerful runner. The ground game, which also features Devan Jackson and Zacc Kinsey, is clearly the Red Raiders' strength. Holland, Jackson and Kinsey combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing in last year.
Other returning standouts include Jeremy Bush (OL/DL), Marcel Jackson (OL/DL) and Jack Breen (OL/LB).
Key newcomers, according to coach Tom Langworthy, are Matt Hill (WR/DB), Jordan Olds (WR/LB),
Jesus Rodriguez (OL/DL) and Andrew Pumford (WR/DB).

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4. Maine-Endwell (Endwell)
Coach: Matt Gallagher
2014 finish: 13-0
Team preview

Maine-Endwell enters the season with a 51-game win streak and, if it wins its season opener Sept. 4 vs. Corning-Painted Post, will break the state record for consecutive wins. This all comes after winning its fourth state title.
Leading the way for the Spartans is 6-1, 186-pound Kyle Balmer, who took over as starting quarterback for his graduated brother, Kyle, who led Maine-Enwell to three state titles himself.

State Class B Player of the Year Adam Gallagher, a running back/defensive back, has graduated, but back is all-state defensive back Mike Palmer.

See last season's New York football computer rankings

5. John Jay (Hopewell Junction)
Coach: Tom O'Hare
2014 finish: 9-2
Team preview

The Patriots are fresh off a Section 1 Class A championship, their third appearance in the sectional final in the last four years. John Jay will be tested from the start, opening up against New Rochelle, one of the state's top programs the last decade.
 
Third-year starter and senior Ryan Schumacher is one of the top pro-style quarterbacks in the state. He has ideal size at 6-3, 215 pounds and excellent speed to go with it, running the 40 in 4.8 seconds. The Patriots will also be bolstered by the return of fellow seniors Andrew Anthony (G/MLB) and Travis Contreras (WR/SS).

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