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

Video: Photo shoot - No. 16 De La Salle
See all the fun and revelry from when we visited the Spartans for an Early Contenders photo shoot.


1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
2016 record: 13-1
Head coach: Bruce Rollinson

Rollinson has had some great teams during his near 30-year tenure as head coach, but this might be his most talented bunch so far. The No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2019 J.T. Daniels is coming off a sophomore season that saw him throw for nearly 5,000 yards and 67 touchdowns. To put what Daniels has done into perspective — he has thrown for more yards than anyone in Orange County area history in only two years. He passed names such as Sam Darnold, Matt Barkley, Matt Leinart, Carson Palmer and Mark Sanchez, just to name a few. When it comes to depth, Mater Dei is loaded everywhere, including 2018 Alabama commit Tommy Brown and Christ Murray, who lead one of the best offensive lines in the state. Five-star playmaker Amon-Ra St. Brown is arguably the best wide receiver in the country, 5-star athlete Bru McCoy is one of the best all-around talents and Claremont transfer Solomon Tuliaupupu will help lead one of the top defenses in all of high school football. The Monarchs have some huge games lined up in 2017: No. 2 Bishop Gorman, No. 9 Bergen Catholic and a Trinity League showdown against No. 4 St. John Bosco.

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

2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)
2016 record: 13-2
Head coach: Jason Negro

Negro has turned St. John Bosco into one of the best high school football teams in the country since taking over in 2010. The Braves have won two CIF state titles since 2013, have a good chance at No. 3 in 2017 and will be right in contention to finish the year at No. 1 at season's end. Re-al Mitchell is back at quarterback and expect a big-time senior season from the Iowa State commit. If St. Thomas Aquinas doesn't have the best secondary in the country it is because of St. John Bosco. Four-star defensive back Jaiden Woodbey and two future UCLA Bruins Chris Steele and Stephan Blaylock all are nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. Get your popcorn ready for Aug. 25 because No. 4 St. John Bosco travels to Florida to take on No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas.

See the MaxPreps California football stat leaders 3. Centennial (Corona)
2016 record: 11-2
Head coach: Matt Logan

One of four teams from Southern California in the Top 10 are the boys from Corona. Head coach Matt Logan has proven to be one of the best in the country. Since taking over in 1997 he has led Centennial to eight CIF-Southern Section titles and with 5-star quarterback Tanner McKee slinging the rock in 2017, expect the Huskies to be one of the highest-scoring teams this year.

See the MaxPreps California football playoff brackets

4. Long Beach Poly
2016 record: 7-4
Head coach: Antonio Pierce

Pierce enters his fourth season as head coach with one of the most talented teams in California. Oaks Christian's 5-star quarterback Matt Corral transferred over along with two former Hawkins (Los Angeles) stars Jalen Hall and Aashari Crosswell. The strength for Poly this season will be at the skill positions. Corral, Hall, Camren McDonald and Michael Mauai give the Jackrabbits one of the most explosive offenses on the west coast. The big question for Poly this year will be in the trenches. If it can answer the bell on the offensive and defensive lines, expect big things for Poly in 2017.

See the MaxPreps California football photo galleries

5. De La Salle (Concord)
2016 record: 10-0
Head coach: Justin Alumbaugh

The Spartans enter the 2017 season winners of 25-consecutive North Coast Section titles and have won seven CIF state titles over the last decade. They had a young team in 2016 and finished the year 11-2 with two losses coming against two teams that finished in the Top 25, East and St. John Bosco. The big question for the Spartans will be the quarterback position. However, a great defense led by 2018 USC commit Tuli Letuligasenoa and 5-star 2019 linebacker Henry To'oto'o, along with a strong rushing game led by Kairee Robinson should give De La Salle a good chance to compete for the No. 1 spot in 2017.