MaxPreps 2012 Montana preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012 Montana Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Capital (Helena)
2011 finish: 12-1
Head coach: Pat Murphy
Team preview
A loss during the regular season cost Capital the outright conference championship, but the Bruins avenged the loss with a 39-14 win over Billings West in the Class AA state championship game. Coach Pat Murphy has seven returning starters and a talented group of juniors that went 7-1 on the JV team last year. Gunnar Brekke (6-foot, 185 pounds) returns to lead the offense at running back while Levi Dawes (6-3, 195, DE) and Brian Sinrud (6-1, 170, DB) are the top returning defenders. Capital has won four state championships in the past six years, including three in a row from 2006-08. Capital ranks No. 2 on our list of Montana's Top 10 most consistent football programs.

2. Beaverhead County (Dillon)
2011 finish: 11-0
Head coach: Terry Thomas
Team preview
The Beavers of Beaverhead County had an impressive 2011 season, winning games by 37 points an outing in winning the Class A championship. Winners of four state titles since 2003, Dillon is looking to repeat as state champs, a feat it accomplished in 2005 and 2006. Coach Terry Thomas returns six All-Conference players, including tackle Caleb Gillis, tight end Ben Folsom, wide receiver Austin Carver, tackle Donovan Hucke, defensive end Dale Peterson and linebacker Carson King. You can find Beaverhead County often on the list of Montana state football champions for the past 10 years.

3. Billings West
2011 finish: 11-2
Head coach: Paul Klaboe
Team preview
Runners-up to Capital, Billings West just missed winning its first state championship since 2005. The Golden Bears will have to overcome the loss of a number of All-Conference seniors, but All-Conference pick Trace Alquire is back at receiver along with linebackers Stewart Harris and Jason Baker, and cornerback Tyler Bishbo. Search for Billings West players on our list of 2011 Montana All-Conference football teams.

4. Helena
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Tony Arntson
Team preview
The Bengals lost twice last year, both times to eventual state champion Capital, and finished tied for first place in the AA league. Helena returns a pair of All-Conference linebackers in Erik Kandilas (6-0, 180) and CJ Holland (6-0, 180).

5. Billings Central Catholic
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Jim Stanton
Team preview
The runner-up to Dillon in Class A, Central Catholic will challenge for the state crown thanks to the return of 14 starters, including nine on defense. The team's top two defenders return in nose guard Avery Baldry (6-1, 265) and linebacker Dylan Hanser (6-4, 200), while receiver Jacob Stanton (6-3, 185) is the top offensive performer. Billings Central Catholic tops our June, 2011 list of Montana's Top 10 football dynasties.