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

Video: Keion Wakefield's highlight vs. DuPont Manual High
See the Male High wide receiver in action last season.


1. Male (Louisville)
Coach: Chris Wolfe
2014 finish: 11-1
Team preview

The Bulldogs' only loss a season ago was an overtime setback in the second round of the playoffs to eventual state champion Trinity. Coach Wolfe's team plays in possibly one of the toughest divisions in the country with the likes of Ballard, Trinity and St. Xavier. However, the Bulldogs may be the best team in that division this season. Hayden Shelton takes over at quarterback on the offensive side of the ball and he will be stocked with weapons, including Louisville commit Keion Wakefield at receiver and Devin Gentry at lead back. The offense will return some key production from a season ago that should help it hit the ground running in August.

The defensive side of the ball will not lack experience, either. Leading the unit will be seniors Jack Kuerzi and Demetrius Holt, who play linebacker and defensive back, respectively. Zach Hall will be another key contributor for a Bulldog defense that should be just as strong as the offense.

Running through Class 6A in Kentucky is always a gauntlet, but Wolfe's squad may be the top dog when all is said and done.

See the Top 10 teams with the most all-time Kentucky state titles

2. St. Xavier (Louisville)
Coach: Wil Wolford
2014 finish: 8-5
Team preview

Coach Wolford's team finished the season 8-5, which most would consider a down year despite making it to the state semifinals. Losing some key contributors to graduation won't make it any easier on the Tigers as they prep for the 2015 season, but St. Xavier consistently finds a way to make things work. Desmond Ridder looks to be next in line for the quarterback position after seeing limited action a year ago. Ridder will have a handful of options to play with offensively, as John Martinez, Colin O'Daniel and Blake Roshkowski all figure to be big factors.

The biggest questions for the Tigers this season may be on the defensive side of the ball. After losing a good share of the starting unit from last season, coach Wolford will lean on Logan Butler and Ethan Adams to anchor an inexperienced defense.

The back end of the Tigers' schedule is loaded with in-state powers as well as Cincinnati power St. Xavier of Ohio. That will be quite the task for the team as the playoffs loom, but it may be the best preparation they can get.

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3. Trinity (Louisville)
Coach: Bob Beatty
2014 finish: 11-5
Team preview

If there is one thing coach Beatty knows how to do really well, it is win. Guided by Beatty and his staff, the Shamrocks claimed their sixth state title in an eight-year period. While the bar is always set high for this team, this season will provide its own challenges. Next up in the line of successful signal-callers is junior Larry Harper III. He will need some time to get his feet wet, but an offensive line highlighted by returners Bryant Colvin and Max Martin should help him do just that.

Coach Beatty's defensive unit may be the strong point for the Shamrocks in 2015. Dynamic athlete Rodjay Burns, who will likely contribute on both sides of the ball, is a hawk in the secondary and should wreak havoc from the cornerback position. Damon Lowe returns for his senior season, checking in at the linebacker position, and he will be a linchpin for the Shamrock defense.

A tough schedule is the norm for Trinity, and the team will rely upon what should be a stingy defense as the offensive unit gets acclimated.

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4. Highlands (Fort Thomas)
Coach: Brian Weinrich
2014 finish: 13-2
Team preview

Under the tutelage of first-year head coach Weinrich, the Bluebirds ended their season with a come-from-behind state championship victory last season, capping a memorable first year for the new coach. Back for his second season as captain of the ship, coach Weinrich will have his work cut out for him. Losing a player like Beau Hoge is never a simple replacement.

However, Central Michigan commit Austin Hergott has shown flashes of brilliance and seems poised to lead the charge on offense this year. In his arsenal will be running back Nick Kendall and receiver Mitchell Cain, both seniors who are looking to have impact years in their final high school seasons.

The defense will not blow teams away with size and may not pass the eye test, but the players make up a gritty unit. Tyler Robinson, who works in the trenches, will be the backbone for the defense and the loudest voice on the field for Weinrich.

The Bluebirds move back up to Class 5A after a stint in 4A and the schedule will not be easy. Coach Weinrich's first-year success will be hard to replicate, but the team should be right in the middle of things come playoff time.

See last season's Kentucky football computer rankings

5. DuPont Manual (Louisville)
Coach: Oliver Lucas
2014 finish: 8-4
Team preview

DuPont is another solid team that makes up Kentucky's grueling and talented Class 6A. After losing in the second round of the playoffs a season ago, coach Lucas is out to prove that his team belongs in talks with other notable state powers. The Crimsons return some key contributors from a season ago, starting with quarterback Tim Comstock, who has received some Division I interest. Look for Eric Niemann and Reece West to be top options for Comstock and the offensive unit.

Coach Lucas' defense looks like it may be the talking point for the Crimsons, led by Derek Dorsey (6-foot-3, 263 pounds), who plays defensive tackle and has given his word to continue his football career at Louisville next season. Complementing Dorsey will be Anthony Kyser and Antonio Hassell, who play linebacker and cornerback, respectively.

If Comstock has the breakout season he is capable of, and the defense can fill the holes left by graduation, Lucas' squad could be a challenger late in the season.