MaxPreps 2014 Indiana preseason football Fab 5

1. Ben Davis (Indianapolis)
2013 finish: 8-3
Head coach: Mike Kirschner

After a heart-breaking loss in the state championship game last season, coach Kirschner will be looking to finish the season with a victory and hoist the hardware every team is chasing. Fortunately for the Giants, they will have the means to do just that. Kyle Castner is back after a strong junior season, and he will lead an offense that should be the strong point of the team. Behind Castner will be a two-headed dragon consisting of Dorian Tate and Chris Evans. Evans doubles as a receiver and will provide an option outside, but look for Brennan Gillis to have a breakout senior campaign and anchor the receiving core. If there is one thing Castner will not have to worry about it is protection. The offensive line for the Giants is massive, nearing the 1,500-pound mark across the line. On the defensive side of the ball, Asmar Bilal and Norman Oglesby will provide leadership and experience. Bilal led the team in tackles last season from the linebacker position while Oglesby puts his hand in the dirt and works in the trenches. Cortez Tinnin will lead an unproven secondary that could wind up being the largest question mark for Kirschner. The Giants will have September 9 circled on their calendars, as they will go toe-to-toe with the team that defeated them in the state title game.

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2. Indianapolis Cathedral
2013 finish: 10-5
Head coach: Rick Streiff

The reigning Class 5A state champions will be tested early by the aformentioned Ben Davis, and that will not be the only time this season. They are also set to face St. Xavier of Ohio and Trinity of Kentucky in the middle of the season. Losing one of the best quarterbacks in the state in Collin Barthel will not be something that is easily replaced but coach Streiff always seems to have his guys ready to go. Stepping in under center will be junior Max Bortenschlager, who saw limited action last season. He will likely lean on the backfield tandem of Evan Christopher and Caleb Cross, both of whom will provide experience while Bortenschlager gets up to speed. The likes of Jared Thomas, Jimmy McGuigan, and Alex Cotton will likely bring some comfort to the inexperienced quarterback, as they will anchor an offensive line that may be the strong point of the offense. Kyle Hoeper will lead a defense that loses a lot of experience — look for him to step up as a leader after a strong showing in his sophomore year. Gibran Williams moves around the field and will give the defense a versatile playmaker. Youngster Ben Stewart wasted no time getting acclimated last season as a freshman and he will anchor the secondary for the Fighting Irish. Lack of experience may come in to play for Streiff but, after four consecutive state championships, if we have learned one thing it's that he will have his team right in the thick of things come playoff time.

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3. Warren Central (Indianapolis)
2013 finish: 11-3
Head coach: Jayson West

It seems as if defense has always been a strong suit for coach West and his squad, and this season it looks like that will be the case again. The Warriors are coming off a state championship victory and are looking to continue the winning tradition. They will be led by Phillip Austin, who takes over as field general after seeing limited action last season. Weapons for Austin will be Cliff Thomas and Tirone Young in the backfield and Glen Montgomery and Donnell Johnson on the outside. The defense will be comprised of hard hitting Mykelti Williams, who will offer experience and leadership from the secondary. Up front the combination of Jaylon Berry and Cornelius Knox will likely put a scare into opposing quarterbacks on a nightly basis. When the offense clicks for West, he could have a very balanced attack that should wind up competing for another state title.

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4. Carmel
2013 finish: 10-4
Head coach: Kevin Wright

The one-point loss in the state championship game last season has left a sour taste in coach Wright's mouth, and he will be out to avenge that loss. Returning for the Greyhounds will be the versatile and speedy Isaac James, who will likely take over under center after splitting time last season. James is a true dual-threat with the ability to air it out and make plays with his feet, and he could very well be the offense's top weapon. That being said, he moves all around the field so junior Micheal Viktrup could potentially see some reps at the quarterback position. Replacing a guy like UCLA signee Austin Roberts is never something that is easily accomplished, but a combination of Chris Perkins, Shakir Paschall, and Collin Pearson should give James some options to play with. On the other side of the ball, Wright loses a lot of experience for a defense that will be now be young and somewhat unproven. Both Alex Akins and Noah Burks are coming off impressive sophomore seasons and will lead the secondary and linebacking units respectively. As a whole the defense will need to learn quickly, but the young guys look poised to step in and contribute from the get-go. Opposing teams will likely see a lot of different looks from Wright's offense this season — look for that to be the strong point for the Greyhounds.

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5. Center Grove (Greenwood)
2013 finish: 11-2
Head coach: Eric Moore

Coach Moore and his team are set out this season to redeem a state semifinal loss. Replacing someone who accounts for nearly 2,000 yards by himself is something Moore will have to do. Joey Siderewicz will be the new man in charge of the offense after seeing limited snaps last season. He looks poised and ready to lead the charge for the Trojans. Running back Max Norris may be a comfort blanket early on, as he returns from a fantastic junior campaign. Keep an eye on youngster Titus McCoy who comes off an impressive freshman season and will likely contribute on both sides of the field. Devon Hensley looks to be the most promising target from the receiver position, as he reeled in seven touchdowns last season as a junior. Cameron Tidd gives them nice size at the tight end position and could also be a threat. Austin Smogor and Derek Lewis will anchor the offensive line. Defense will be untested and lacking experience for the most part. Look for Keith Sears, Cole Fresher and Zach Hart to step up and command the defense.