MaxPreps 2013 Louisiana preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2013 Louisiana Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard 1. Karr (New Orleans)
Head coach: Nathaniel Jones
2012 finish: 14-0; Class 4A state champion
Team preview

Even with first year coach Nathaniel Jones, Karr is expected to be the class of the Pelican State this year. Talent abounds at Karr, led by blue-chip recruit Devante "Speedy" Noil, a gifted receiver who will likely see time at quarterback this season. With Gerald Willis and Joyan Williams, the team’s defensive line will be tough to beat. At linebacker, LSU commit Donnie Alexander and Quanta Moore power another very impressive unit.

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2. Curtis (River Ridge)
Head coach: J.T. Curtis
2012 finish: 14-0; Class 2A state champion, Xcellent 25 national champion
Team preview

Last year’s national champion, Curtis will be excellent again in 2013. The Patriots are very talented on defense, led by defensive backs Terrence Alexander and Mattrell McGraw and linebacker Kenny Young. On offense, quarterback Abby Touzet will once again look to Malachi Dupre, one of the country’s top wide receivers. A challenging schedule that includes St. Thomas Aquinas awaits Curtis.

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3. St. Augustine (New Orleans)
Head coach: Cyrus Crutchfield
2012 finish: 9-4
Team preview

Perennially among the nation’s most talented teams, St. Augustine seems especially loaded in 2013, led by Leonard Fournette, the nation’s top running back. A fixture on the recruiting scene since his freshman season, Fournette is a man-child who could approach a 3,000-yard season. From Courtney Garnett to Jermaine Roberts, there are recruits seemingly all over the field. The question for St. Augustine will be how well the team gels under the watch of second-year coach Cyrus Crutchfield.

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4. West Monroe
Head coach: Jerry Arledge
2012 finish: 11-3
Team preview

Legendary head coach Don Shows turns over the reins to longtime assistant Jerry Arledge as Shows recovers from health issues. Arledge takes over a team that features offensive lineman Cameron Robinson, the nation’s No. 1 player in the Top 247. Highly-touted sophomore Jon Randall Belton could emerge as the team’s starting quarterback. After a one-point loss in the Class 5A semifinals to Barbe, West Monroe should be hungry for a deeper run this fall.

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5. Ouachita Parish (Monroe)
Head coach: Jeff Fitzgerald
2012 finish: 10-3
Team preview

Ouachita Parish has won at least nine games in each of the last three seasons, and 2013 figures to be no different. Opponents will need to figure out a way to slow down an offense that features receiver Cameron Sims. The 6-foot-4 senior has offers from nearly every team in the country. Linebacker Eric Bowie, committed to Tulane, will power the defense.

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