2016 Massachusetts preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Mattison Cronin junior year
See the Xaverian Brothers star in action last season


1. Xaverian Brothers (Westwood)
Head coach: Charlie Stevenson
2015 record: 12-0 (MIAA Division 1 champ)
Team preview

Is there a three-peat in Xaverian's future? Preseason prognosticators say yes. The Hawks won their second-consecutive MIAA Division 1 title last December at Gillette Stadium and their seventh overall under veteran coach Charlie Stevenson by beating Lawrence Central Catholic. That victory ran their winning streak over two seasons to 24 games, a steak that includes their 2015 Catholic Conference-clinching win against St. John's Prep at Fenway Park.

All-state defensive players Coby Tippett and Elijah Pierre have graduated, but Stevenson returns standouts such as quarterback Mattison Cronin, running back Devon Piccinin, linebacker/tight end A.J. Ryan, running back/linebacker Nick Monopoli, defensive back/running back Mekhi Henderson and wide receiver/defensive back Sam Laurent.

"Defense figures to be the Hawks' calling card once again," said Boston Herald High School Sports Editor Danny Ventura. Xaverian was ranked No. 46 nationally in MaxPreps Preseason Computer Ratings presented by the Army National Guard.

See the Massachusetts computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Everett
Head coach: John DiBiaso
2015 record: 5-5 (MIAA Division 1 semifinals)
Team preview

One thing is certain about Everett's 2016 season: the Crimson Tide will find out immediately where they stand as they open the season against two-time defending state champ and No. 1 preseason pick Xaverian.

It's been four years since Everett won its last MIAA Super Bowl, so coach John DiBiaso's club is anxious to get going. Standout defensive tackle J.J. Colimon (Central Connecticut State) has moved onto college ball but the Crimson Tide will roll out 15 returning starters, including nine on offense. Returning on offense are quarterback Jordan McAfee (6-4, 205), running back Marvens Fedna, tackles David Pierre and Mike Smith, guard Richardson Maitre and center Bobby Lopes. The defense will be anchored by defensive tackle Duval Paul, linebacker R.J. Fialli and cornerback Carlens Patel.

If Everett runs deep again in the tournament, it will take a break on Thanksgiving to play a new rivalry opponent in Masconomet, its first Turkey Day date in five years.

See the MaxPreps national football videos page

3. Duxbury
Head coach: David Maimaron
2015 record: 8-3 (MIAA Division 3 quarterfinals)
Team preview

The Dragons made an impressive playoff run last season despite losing star receiver Ryan Reagan to an injury midway through his junior season.

Reagan is back, however, as is senior quarterback Bobby Maimaron (2,045 yards, 32 touchdowns, 891 yards rushing in 2015); Reagan had 510 receiving yards in six games before getting hurt. Coach David Maimaron also returns running backs Devin Demeritt, James Cavallo and Joe Gooley on offense and defensive back/linebacker Connor Hunt (67 tackles, 3 interceptions) and Nick Gearin (88 tackles) on defense.

The sting of dropping two straight to end 2015 - Duxbury also lost on Thanksgiving after being eliminated from the MIAAs - could be a distant memory in a hurry.

See the MaxPreps Massachusetts football photos page

4. St. John's Prep (Danvers)
Head coach: Brian St. Pierre
2015 record: 8-3 (MIAA Division 1 first round)
Team preview Last season was an odd one for St. John's Prep. The Eagles were moving along nicely and had a 22-point win over venerable Everett as part of their 6-0 start. But then as the No. 1 seed in the MIAA Division 1 North playoffs, they were edged at home by Everett in the first round. Stuff happens.

One of the tasks facing coach Brian St. Pierre this season will be finding someone to throw the ball to standout receiver Hayden Rockett, as quarterback Oliver Eberth has graduated. Also gone are defensive end Jack Lambert, linebacker Sean Fallon, center Jay Carnevale, running back Dillon Preston and defensive back Jacob Yish. Besides Rockett, SJP hopes to challenge again in Division 1 with tight end Declan Burt and defensive tackle Hunter Brown leading the way.

"We've lost a lot of very good players the previous two years, including our entire offensive backfield," St. Pierre said. "We will be extremely inexperienced at key positions, especially quarterback. Our schedule is very challenging as it always is. The expectations are always high and we will need to be at our best right from the get-go."

See MaxPreps Massachusetts high school football playoff brackets

5. Holliston
Head coach: Todd Kiley
2015 record: 12-1 (MIAA Division 4 champ)
Team preview

A third-straight Super Bowl title - and fourth in seven years - is within reach for the Panthers, who scored 21 points or more in all five of their playoff wins a year ago.

Coach Todd Kiley returns 10 starters from that 2015 team, five on each side of the ball. Depth is a concern at this point for Holliston but Kiley will be able to build around three of his best players from a year ago: quarterback Jack Barrett, lineman Mark Mulvaney (6-3, 265) and wide receiver/defensive back Sam Athy. Barrett passed for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and ran for an additional 917 yards and 13 scores. Athy had a team-high 88 tackles.