MaxPreps 2017 CIF Southern Section preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Top 100 football teams in America
See where four of the five teams on this list fit in.


Note: Mater Dei (Santa Ana), St. John Bosco (Bellflower), Centennial (Corona) and Long Beach Poly were not eligible for this list because they were part of California's overall Top 5 list.

1. Serra (Gardena)
2016 record: 7-4
Head coach: Scott Altenberg

The Cavaliers produce some of the top talent in the country every year and 2017 is no exception. Altenberg's team boasts four of the Top 66 seniors in the state, led by all-around athlete Bryan Addison, a 6-foot-5, 180-pounder who has 22 college offers. He's ranked 16th in the state by 247Sports.

Other top players are linebacker Merlin Robertson (6-3, 241, ranked 21st in the state overall) and wide receivers Kobe Smith (6-2, 174, 45th) and John Jackson (6-1, 180, 66th). Cornerback David Eure (5-11, 170) is also a big name.

See the MaxPreps California Football Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village)
2016 record: 8-3
Head coach: Jim Benkert

The Lions lost one of the nation's top quarterbacks Matt Corral, who transferred to Long Beach Poly, but they added the No. 2 junior in the country in Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has 29 offers including USC, LSU and Alabama.

The 6-5, 230-pound defensive end and tight end joins a defense that already includes Bo Calvert, a 6-4, 215-pound linebacker. Calvert's younger brother Josh Calvert should take over at quarterback.

Other top players include defensive tackle Dallas Holliday (6-4, 300) and kicker Ajay Culhane (5-11, 185).

See the MaxPreps California football stat leaders

3. Mission Viejo
2016 record: 11-1
Head coach: Bob Johnson

Legendary coach Johnson appears to have another juggernaut after last year's squad averaged nearly a four-touchdown margin of victory throughout the season before being upset by Rancho Cucamonga. Mission Viejo has won 147 games since 2004 against just 20 defeats.

The Diablos are led this year by 5-star cornerback Olaijah Griffin, the seventh-ranked player in the state according to 247Sports. The son of rapper Warren G is headed to UCLA.

Johnson has a lot more talent, including four-star receiver Austin Osborne (6-3, 185), a Washington commit, offensive tackle Jarrett Patterson (6-5, 285), safety Chris Mitchell (6-0, 190) and Arizona State-bound linebacker Christian Lavalle (6-0, 204).

See the MaxPreps California football playoff brackets 4. Chaminade (West Hills)
2016 record: 8-4
Head coach: Ed Croson

The Eagles return 15 starters, including four-star wide receiver Michael Wilson (6-2, 185). Offensive line play, experience and special teams are a strength for Chaminade, which also returns college prospects running back-defensive back Andrew Vanburen (6-2, 205), athlete Parks Gissinger (6-4, 225), cornerback Dallas Taylor-Cortez (6-3, 175) and linebacker James Thomas (6-2, 210).

Croson lost 3-star quarterback Brevin White, who transferred to Paraclete. But incoming junior Ryan Stevens (6-1, 170) started more than half the time last year and threw for 1,269 yards and nine touchdowns. The Eagles also lost one of the nation's top running backs in T.J. Pledger, who transferred to IMG Academy.

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5. San Clemente
2016 record: 13-3
Head coach: Jaime Ortiz

The Tritons return 12 starters from last year's state 1-A champion, though they lost all-everything quarterback Jack Sears to graduation. The team's strength is at wide receiver and running back, where it boasts three-year starters, and at defensive back, where it returns all four starters.

The top players include senior tight end Chris Kane (6-5, 240), offensive lineman Thomas Wade (6-6, 250) and running back Austin Whitsett (5-11, 200).