MaxPreps 2014 Northern Section preseason football Fab 5

1. Enterprise (Redding)
2013 finish: 13-1
Head coach: Darren Trueblood
Team preview

The Hornets became the first Northern Section team to win a CIF playoff game since the bowl game system was put into place, as they defeated Manteca 27-21 in the NorCal playoffs before falling to Chaminade 41-9 in the state bowl game. Coach Darren Trueblood's squad will start the season as the favorite in the Northern Section thanks to the return of five All-Northern Section players, including defensive MVP Nick Tomasin and offensive MVP Isaiah Matthews. Tomasin posted 162 tackles last year while Matthews rushed for 2,220 yards and 32 touchdowns. The Hornets also return all-section tight end Alex Talladino (26 catches, 695 yards, 13 touchdowns), receiver Izzy Perea (27 catches, 561 yards) and cornerback Justin Abney.

See the Top 20 most dominant Northern Section teams in the MaxPreps era

2. Sutter
2013 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Ryan Reynolds
Team preview

Two years ago, the Huskies made a run at a berth in the Division III state bowl game. Sutter could be able to make another run at the state playoffs as 17 starters return and a 10-0 JV team moves up to the varsity level. The Huskies return Randy Post at quarterback. The All-Northern Section pick set a school record with 2,225 yards passing last year, including 23 touchdowns. He'll have a pair of all-league tackles protecting him in James McBride (6-5, 285) and Ricky Williams (6-4, 275). The defense returns its top two tacklers in Riley Vickner (197 tackles) and Brayden Hungrige (142).

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3. Paradise
2013 finish: 8-4
Head coach: Rick Prinz
Team preview

The Bobcats have won six Northern Section championships since 2003, but it's been three years since Paradise last won a crown. Coach Rick Prinz has a strong defensive unit this year with eight returning starters, including leading tacklers Tyler Van Iderstine (133 tackles), Max Valdez (105) and Wyatt Wyckoff (91), who is also a two-time second-place finisher at the state wrestling meet. The offense has just three returning starters, however one of them is Alex Wood (6-6, 275), one of the top tackles in the section.

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4. Lassen (Susanville)
2013 finish: 5-6
Head coach: Tom St. Jacques
Team preview

The Grizzlies figure to make a run in Division III this year thanks to the return of 10 starters on defense and six starters on offense. The team's top three skill players return in junior quarterback Jordan Atkinson (1,036 yards passing), and senior running backs Case Bennett (1,136 yards rushing) and Kyle Barnetche (940 yards). The top three tacklers on defense also return in linebackers Jake Thomas (92 tackles), Skler Ingwerson (74) and Barnetche (53).

See MaxPreps Northern Section football playoff brackets

5. Chico
2013 finish: 5-7
Head coach: Jason Alvistur
Team preview

The Panthers have had the Northern Section's top passing offense the past two seasons, and that doesn't appear to be ending any time soon with All-Northern Section pick Clayton Welch (6-4, 220) returning at quarterback. As a junior, Welch threw for 2,571 yards, the fourth-highest total in section history. Welch has one of his favorite targets back in Miles Fishback, who caught 39 passes for 698 yards as a junior. The team's top rusher also returns in junior Cameron Alfaro (1,099 yards).