2017 Early Contenders high school football preview: No. 17 Carol City

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Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 17 Carol City
Host Zack Poff breaks down what makes Carol City such a good team this season.

Head coach: Benedict Hyppolite

Last season: 11-3, won 6A state title

Last decade: 65-49-1, one state title

Famous alumni/players: Rapper Brisco, Jaguars WR Allen Hurns, former Pro Bowl receiver Santana Moss, former New York Giants safety and Super Bowl champion Kenny Phillips, former MLB All-Star Danny Tartabull, Rapper Rick Ross. PLAYERS TO WATCH

RB Camron Davis (5-10, 190, Sr.) — The state's No. 34 recruit is committed to Miami.

RB Nayquan Wright (5-8, 185, Jr.) — Florida's 16th-rated junior has offers from Alabama, Florida State and Florida.

S Randy Russell (5-11, 180, Sr.) — He has 32 college offers but look for him to sign at Florida

OLB Yasir Abdullah (6-1, 190, Sr.) — The senior is committed to Louisville.

DE Aaron Morgan (6-4, 240, Sr.) — The Mississippi State commit is a transfer from Hallandale. KEY GAMES

Sept. 15 — at Norland (Miami)

Oct. 13 — at Northwestern (Miami)

Oct. 27 — at Central (Miami) STORYLINES

* Hyppolite, 27, takes over for Aubrey Hill, who in his only season led Carol City to its first state title since 2003. Hill took a job as the receivers coach at Florida International. Hyppolite, a disciple of Tim "Ice" Harris, was an assistant on three Booker T. Washington state-title teams. Last year he was the head coach at Hallandale.

* Hyppolite inherits one of the most talented teams in school history that also features top 300 Florida talents safety Kewan Parker (5-11, 190) and all-around athlete Legend Moore (6-0, 180), a pair of Northern Illinois commits. Moore played for Hyppolite at Hallandale last season.

* Orchestrating all that talent on offense is quarterback Marlon Smith, a 6-4, 180-pound senior who has an offer from the University of South Florida. They don't call him "Magic" for nothing.

* The Chiefs enter with loads of momentum after winning 11 of their final 12 games, including a 14-6 victory over Lake Gibson in the state final. They allowed just 120 points all season, including three shutouts and 10 games allowing a touchdown or less.

* With loads of athletes and skill players, Carol City's fate might be determined up front. The best of the bunch is 6-4, 290-pound two-way tackle Leonard Lucas.