MaxPreps 2017 South Carolina preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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See the best signal callers in the U.S., including Fort Dorchester's Dakereon Joyner.


1. Fort Dorchester (North Charleston)
2016 record: 12-2
Head coach: Steve LaPrad

Fort Dorchester is one of the most talented teams in the state and has one of the best quarterbacks in the country with the 2016 South Carolina Gatorade Football Player of the Year Dakereon Joyner under center.

The 6-foot-2, 200 pound South Carolina commit threw for 1,646 yards on 96-of-153 passing and 19 touchdowns, while adding 488 yards rushing with four scores.

The No. 10-ranked dual-threat quarterback, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings, will have one of the most dangerous players in the state to get the rock to in 3-star athlete Justin Williams. See the MaxPreps South Carolina Computer Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Dutch Fork (Irmo)
2016 record: 15-0
Head coach: Tom Knotts

The defending 5A state champs went 15-0 in 2016 and a name to remember is rising sophomore Ron Hoff , who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns as a freshman.

The Silver Foxes must replace graduated senior Reese Nichols at quarterback (2,817 yards passing, 22 TDs) and that could fall to rising junior Graeson Underwood.

Incoming senior Blake Branham looks to pick up where he left off as a junior while recording 113 tackles. Alex Smith led Dutch Fork with four interceptions last season.

See the MaxPreps South Carolina football stats leaders

3. South Pointe (Rock Hill)
2016 record: 14-1
Head coach: Strait Herron

South Pointe won its third-consecutive state title in 2016 and over the last three seasons has gone 40-5. The Stallions finished with a No. 20 national ranking and return the No. 1 player overall from South Carolina in the Class of 2018 returning in Derion Kendrick. The Clemson commit checks in as the No. 15 wide receiver among all rising seniors but he is the starting quarterback for South Pointe and is one of the best playmakers in all of high school football.

The defense is anchored by Virginia Tech commit Eli Adams and the Stallions also have perhaps the state's best kicked in Clemson commit BT Potter.

See the MaxPreps South Carolina football playoff brackets

4. South Aiken
2016 record: 12-2
Head coach: Chris Hamilton

Quarterback Cody Boynton returns for his senior season with the Thoroughbreds after throwing for 2,484 yards and 30 touchdowns as South Aiken reached the Class 4A semifinals in 2016. Also returning is bell cow running back Chris Roberts, who ran for 2,020 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.

Look for senior linebackers Reid Bolen and DJ Parker to anchor the South Aiken defense after 178 and 149 tackles, respectively.

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5. Hartsville
2016 record: 13-2
Head coach: Jeff Calabrese

The Red Foxes will be led by rising junior running back Tiyon Evans, who ran for 264 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries in the state championship loss to South Pointe last season.

AJ Joyner will be back under center for coach Calabrese as Hartsville looks to make its fourth championship game appearance in six seasons.

The Red Foxes must look to replace Jaylen Evans in the secondary after the South Carolina State commit had 56 tackles, a forced fumble, four interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.