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

Who were the 14 Shooting Guards Ranked Ahead of Alex Caruso in High School? 49,507 views 1:10

Video: Johnny Afuvai's highlights vs. Colony
Check out footage of the East High star from last season


1. Soldotna
Coach: Galen Brantley, Jr.
2015 finish: 10-0
Team preview

Soldotna enters the 2016 season as the four-time defending medium school state champion. The Stars boast a state record 39-game win streak and are tied for the fourth-longest active win streak in America. Coach Brantley must replace key skill players on both sides of the ball, but he's a proven winner.

Wendell Tuisaula emerged as a household name in Alaska last season and will head the Stars' stout defense. The gritty linebacker also claimed all-state first team honors. Two-way standout lineman Kyle Marcuson will be an imposing force on both sides of the trenches, as proven by his all-state first team selection. Look for utility man Jace Urban to be the primary playmaker on offense.

Soldotna kicks off the season with a huge showdown against current large school state champion West (Anchorage) in a game that could ultimately determine which team claims the top spot in Alaska.

See last season's Alaska computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. West (Anchorage)
Coach: Tim Davis
2015 finish: 9-2
Team preview

West begins the 2016 season as the reigning large school champion after soaring over the hardest competition and seizing the grand prize. The Eagles graduated a ton of offensive firepower but reload with a heavy roster and an experienced defense.

Justin Tovio and Henry Joling each tallied over 100 tackles last season and might be the best linebacker tandem in the state. Tovio is also the Eagles' top returning rusher and will be a major factor in their success. Two-way stud Turek Taylor posted a team-high 666 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a junior on offense. He also recorded 43 tackles and four interceptions on defense. But the dynamic Taylor figures to be the Eagles' new quarterback and he's ready to deliver the goods.

Aug. 26 marks a big-time matchup with Chugiak, a rematch of last year's state title game.

See the MaxPreps national football videos page
3. East (Anchorage)
Coach: Jeff Trotter
2015 finish: 7-3
Team preview

East ended last season with a deflating semifinal loss to divisional foe and eventual state champion,West. But the Thunderbirds return arguably the top offense in the state and seem poised to make a state title run.

East brings back an astounding 95 percent of its offensive production from last season and should rely on a routine dose of the ground game. Johnny Afuvai rushed for 1,079 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior and the Thunderbirds will lean on his services. Complementing Afuvai will be dual-threat quarterback Carson Washburn, who accounted for 776 total yards and 15 total touchdowns as a junior. The deadly duo combined for 59 percent of the Thunderbirds' offensive output last season. Look for free safety Tulafone (Sam) Logoleo to spearhead the defense after notching 31 tackles as a junior.

Sept. 24 is the long-awaited date for the Thunderbirds, as they finally face West with revenge on their minds.

See the MaxPreps Alaska football photos page

4. Chugiak (Eagle River)
Coach: Roger Spackman
2015 finish: 8-4
Team preview

The Mustangs come into this season with a bitter taste in their mouths after getting blanked in the state championship game last year by West. But Chugiak returns vital playmakers on both sides of the ball to help the Mustangs possibly battle back to the state title game.

The Mustangs will look to the dangerous Derryk Snell to blaze the path. Whether he's displaying breathtaking plays at receiver or executing timely turnovers at safety, the all-state first team performer simply makes things happen. Throw in all-state second team safety Jakub Kindred and Chugiak might have the top secondary in the state. But don't forget about all-state first team tackle Cody Bailey paving the way up front.

Aug. 26 is the day Chugiak finally gets another shot at West, with payback in mind.

See MaxPreps Alaska high school football playoff brackets

5. Eielson (Eielson AFB)
Coach: David DeVaughn
2015 finish: 10-1
Team preview

Eielson starts off the season as the two-time defending state champion and has lost just one game over the past two years. But sustaining greatness won't be easy. The Ravens graduated a vast majority of their star players who were mainly responsible for a prolific Eielson offense that averaged 46 points per game and churned out over 4,200 yards rushing last season.

Senior dual-threat quarterback Antonio Griffith will lead the charge. The lefty gunslinger is extremely shifty with his legs and can hurt teams with his accurate arm. Mammoth all-state first team center Chris Kilpatrick should clear the path for Griffith and the Ravens offense. The two-way standout also racked up 49 tackles, five sacks and forced three fumbles on defense as a junior.

Sept. 24 marks an appealing affair with Nikiski, a rematch of last year's state title tilt.