2016 Rhode Island Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Junior year - Chris Hindle
See highlights of the Bishop Hendricken


1. Bishop Hendricken (Warwick)
Head coach: Keith Croft
2015 record: 11-0 (RIHSS Division I Champs)
Team preview

As far as Rhode Island is concerned, the term dominance is defined by the Bishop Hendricken Hawks football program. Bishop Hendricken has won the last six Division I Super Bowls, including last year's 24-20 victory over rival La Salle. Head coach Keith Croft will ride their current 15-game winning streak into this season with title hopes yet again.

Returning to the pocket will be senior quarterback Chris Hindle, who ranked fourth in Division I with 1,044 passing yards last year. The man who will be looked upon to lead both sides of the ball is 2015 all-state player Kwity Paye. The Boston College commit tallied eight touchdowns as a part-time running back last season, as well as recording 5.5 sacks and 68 tackles on defense.

While the recent statewide division realignment will change the schedule and playoff structure, one aspect that won't change is the results and consistency of the Bishop Hendricken football team.

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2. La Salle Academy (Providence)
Head coach: Geoff Marcone
2015 finish: 9-3 (RIHSS Division I runner-ups)
Team preview The latter part of the two-headed monster in Rhode Island is none other than the La Salle Rams. Interesting enough, while Bishop Hendricken has indeed won the past six Division I titles, its opponent has been La Salle in four of those six championship contests.

The Rams graduated three of their top contributors from last season, but do return some of the better athletes in the state. Two of those players include the senior linebacker duo of Owen Smith, who tallied 57 tackles and two interceptions, and Jermaine Monteiro, who ranked second in Division II with 97 tackles. The high-powered offense will look to Sam Coleman to take over the running back duties after ranking third among the Rams with 565 all-purpose yards last year, and all-state second team offensive lineman Ado Palmer will power the offensive line.

All eyes will be on the final week of the regular season, as La Salle will host the Bishop Hendricken Hawks in a battle for the Rhode Island football throne.

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3. South Kingstown (Wakefield)
Head coach: Eric Anderson
2015 finish: 11-4
Team preview

The South Kingstown Rebels saw their championship hopes end last year with a blowout loss in the first round of the Division I playoffs to the eventual champion. This year, they will look to avenge that loss and attempt to make history by winning their first football championship in school history.

Head coach Eric Anderson will have options on offense, but will look to the returners and last year's junior varsity stars to fill the void left by the graduated seniors. One of the better defensive threats in the state is 2015 all-state defensive second team honoree Anthony Shepard Jr. Shepard will look to lead his youthful defense back to the playoffs once again.

The Rebels will be a threat in Division I, but the question will be whether or not they can execute and prevail over powerhouses La Salle and Bishop Hendricken.

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4. Moses Brown (Providence)
Head coach: Willie Edwards
2015 finish: 14-0 (RIHSS Division II Champs)
Team preview

Division II may not receive as much love as Division I, but if any team deserves it, it is the two-time defending champion Moses Brown Quakers. The Quakers have lost a total of just four games combined in the past three seasons, including a perfect 14-0 last season.

Head coach Willie Edwards' power offense will welcome back running back Tyler Pereira, who was second in Division II last season with 1,113 rushing yards and third in touchdowns with 12. Running partner Abe Bloom and top receiver Cristos Argys will also return for the Quakers. The 2015 all-state defensive back Argys will also lead the defense alongside senior linebacker Billy Costello. Nicholas Cohen will return after leading the state with his nine made field goals.

Moses Brown is the team to beat in Division II, and will be both one of the more experienced and talented squads in the state.

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5. Portsmouth
Head coach: Ryan Moniz
2015 finish: 7-4
Team preview

An inconsistent offense often hurt the Patriots in 2015, as they finished with a respectable 7-4 record. However, in games not against Bishop Hendricken and La Salle, the Patriots outscored their opponents 233-110. The 2016 season should prove to be more flexible and steady, as Portsmouth hopes to learn from their mistakes last year.

Portsmouth returns the senior duo of quarterback Sean Coyne and running back Alex Khalfayan. The two combined for 16 touchdowns last season. Also returning are their three leading tacklers in Peyton Robinson, Devonte Pierson and AJ Cottrell. Robinson led the team in both tackles (50) and sacks (six) a year ago.

Portsmouth will have quite the challenge with both La Salle and Bishop Hendricken on the schedule, but the talent is absolutely there for the Patriots in 2016.