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

Video: Foster Sarell Ultimate Highlights
See the nation's No. 1 offensive lineman in action.


1. Eastside Catholic (Sammamish)
Head coach: Jeremy Thielbahr
2015 record: 13-0
Team preview

It's going to be tough to top 2015 for the Crusaders, who overcame a 28-point deficit in the second half to beat Bellevue in the Class 3A state championship game and cement a perfect season. Eastside finished the season ranked in the Top 25 nationally by MaxPreps.

Star quarterback Harley Kirsch and a decorated senior class is gone but high-level talent remains on both sides of the ball. Senior tight end and Washington commit Hunter Bryant (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) caught 48 passes for 1,137 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2015. Junior Ryan Taylor (6-2, 235) led the team in tackles a year ago with 82 to go along with four sacks and an interception.

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2. Gonzaga Prep (Spokane)
Head coach: David McKenna
2015 record: 14-0
Team preview The Bullpups are 42-7 over the past four seasons and really grabbed the state's attention in 2015 with a 34-16 dismantling of Skyline in the Class 4A state title game.

Discipline and defense are usually the calling cards at Prep, but there is some sizzle at the skill positions this year with senior cornerback Armani Marsh (5-10, 170) and junior Devin Culp (6-5, 200) – already committed to Oregon – at wide receiver.

McKenna was obviously thinking big once again for 2016 – he scheduled No. 1 Eastside Catholic on the road in the Sept. 2 opener.

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3. Graham-Kapowsin (Graham)
Head coach: Eric Kurle
2015 record: 11-1
Team preview

Kurle has been knocking on the door with G-K since the school opened in 2006. Could this be the year for a state championship breakthrough?

It's unlikely the veteran head coach will ever have arguably the nation's No. 1 prospect on the roster again. That's the kind of status senior offensive lineman Foster Sarell (6-6, 310) has earned through his play for the Eagles and the camp and combine circuit. Currently 247Sports.com's No. 4 prospect in the 2017 class, Sarell's recruitment is expected to be a battle between in-state Washington and Stanford.

Under center, G-K may have the best young quarterback in the Pacific Northwest in sophomore Dylan Morris (6-1, 185). He was named MVP of the Northwest 9 QB camp over the summer.

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4. Skyline (Sammamish)
Head coach: Mat Taylor
2015 record: 12-2
Team preview

Gone from last year are leading passer Blake Gregory (over 3,000 yards), leading rusher Rashaad Boddie (over 1,700 yards) and the team's top five pass-catchers. But rebuilding isn't usually part of the plan at Skyline.

The Spartans have won 10 or more games in 11 of the last 14 seasons and participated in nine state championship games this millennium. Senior offensive tackle Henry Bainivalu (6-6, 300) – a Top 200 national prospect – is the headliner on the roster, sporting offers from Michigan, Oregon, UCLA and Washington among others.

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5. Sumner
Head coach: Keith Ross
2015 record: 10-1
Team preview

We're taking a bit of a flier here but keep an eye on the Spartans – this is a program on the rise. A 2A school in recent years, enrollment has boomed and Sumner will join the 4A ranks for the first time this season with perhaps its best team in a long time.

Leading the way will be Washington commit and two-way all-stater Connor Wedington (6-0, 190), who rushed for 1,501 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. Junior Tre Weed (6-1, 190) is another stud at wide receiver who is garnering early Division I interest.