MaxPreps 2015 Oregon preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Tim Tawa 2014 regular season
See the West Linn quarterback in action.


1. Central Catholic (Portland)
Coach: Steve Pyne
2014 finish: 13-1
Team preview

The Rams return seven starters from last year's 6A championship team that won in the state finals, 49-0 over Tigaard. Central Catholic didn't just win the state title, it demolished five opponents while piling up a staggering 285 points. The Rams, who have gone 27-1 while winning back-to-back titles, feature key returners wide receiver/linebacker La'mar Winston jr (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), wide receiver/safety Brady Breeze (6-1, 190) and running back/linebacker Ronnie Rust (6-0, 195).

See the Top 14 teams with the most all-time Oregon state titles

2. West Linn
Coach: Chris Miller
2014 finish: 9-3
Team preview

The Lions rebounded nicely from back-to-back 4-7 seasons with a breakout season and should continue that momentum. Junior quarterback Timothy Tawa is one of the state's most athletic signal-callers after he completed 70 percent of his passes as a sophomore for 2,943 yards and 38 touchdowns. Another junior, Elijah Molden, rushed for a team-high 784 yards and nine touchdowns last year as a sophomore.

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3. Sheldon (Eugene)
Coach: Lane Johnson
2014 finish: 11-2
Team preview

The Irish return 14 starters, seven on each side of the ball, from their semifinal squad from 2014. The top returners for the three-time state champions — they won it all in 2007, 2009 and 2012 — include 6-6 senior quarterback Justin Herbert, 6-3, 290-pound guard Tate Edmundson and 6-foot, 180-pound receiver and defensive back Jackson Johnson. Sheldon should also benefit from players rising from last year's undefeated junior varsity team.

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4. Jesuit (Portland)
Coach: Ken Potter
2014 finish: 9-3
Team preview

The Crusaders return 12 starters, including seven on defense, from last year's squad. They also return the team's starting quarterback, Eric Restic, top receiver, Jordan Happle, and defender. Running back Jason Talley (6-1, 215) should carry the load on the ground.

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5. Sherwood
Coach: Greg Lawrence
2014 finish: 9-3
Team preview

One of the state's most consistent and successful programs figures to be near the top again in the 5A division. They were undefeated state champions in 2010 and 2012 and over the last 11 seasons the Bowmen have reached double-digit win totals all but twice. They are 125-17 in that span. Lawrence has been the coach all 11 of those seasons. Sherwood returns starting quarterback Adam Vasquez along with most of its leading rushers, including senior Jakob Eisenbeiss. Sherwood rushed for more the 4,000 yards in 2014. Up front, they return co-captains Tanner Dillree (6-2, 225) and Zach Rome (6-0, 255).