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

Video: Cal-Hi Sports BA / Santa Teresa at Milpitas
See one of the top CCS teams (Milpitas) in action last season.


1. Milpitas
2016 record: 10-4
Head coach: Kelly King

The Trojans return a whopping 17 players back, including the most dynamic set of twins in the section, quarterback TyRee Bracy (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) and running back/defensive back Tariq Bracy (6-0, 180), who has 11 college offers including Notre Dame, California and Boise State.

TyRee threw for 2,600 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for six more, leading the Trojans into the CIF North Regional 4-A title game. Tariq was spectacular on both sides of the ball and rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns and had 52 catches for 1,036 yards and 13 scores.

With another big playmaker in Tuni Faletau Fifita (6-3, 210) and another loaded, big line led by junior Justin Scrempos (6-8, 310), Milpitas is determined to take it one more step than last year.

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

2. Valley Christian (San Jose)
2016 record: 13-2
Head coach: Mike Machado

The Warriors, winners of the Northern California 2-AA title, appear loaded again with a slew of Division I talent.

Leading the way is safety D'Angelo Mckenzie (6-0, 180), ranked the 80th top recruit in the state. He has 11 offers, including from USC, Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA and Arizona.

Other top recruits include defensive end RJ Stone (6-3, 188), son of former NFL lineman Ron Stone, and cornerbacks Alton Julian (6-1, 185) and Charlie Bostic (6-1, 170). With that secondary, few are going to be throwing the ball on the Warriors.

See the MaxPreps California football stat leaders

3. Menlo-Atherton (Atherton)
2016 record: 12-3
Head coach: Adhir Ravipati

The Bears return 11 starters from last year's historic Northern California Division 3-AA championship squad.

Though they lose a boatload of skill players, M-A is extremely healthy and large in the trenches, which pleases Ravipati to no end.

Among the top beefy boys are junior Noa Ngalu (6-2, 290), senior Dimitri Sakalia (6-4, 240), senior Tevita Tonga (6-0, 265), senior Ben Makoni (6-3, 305) and senior Ryan Buck (6-2, 210). All are Division I recruits.

Though the team lost vastly talented quarterback Aajon Johnson, they return 2015 starter Miles Conrad (6-3, 190), who has looked extremely good in spring and summer workouts. His top target will be Spencer Corona (6-1, 180).

See the MaxPreps California football playoff brackets

4. Serra (San Mateo)
2016 record: 10-5
Head coach: Patrick Walsh
After starting the season 0-4, the year looked bleak for the Padres. Then they responded with 10 straight wins, along with WCAL and Northern California championships before a tough 42-40 loss to Sierra Canyon in the state 2-A title game.

The Padres lost all-everything quarterback Leki Nunn, the Peninsula Player of the Year selected by the San Francisco Chronicle, but return more-than-capable junior quarterback Luke Bottari, who threw for 1,123 yards, 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions last season.

Bottari will have some dynamic weapons, led by running back Isiah Kendrick (5-11, 180) and wide receiver/defensive end Patrick Nunn (6-4, 215), who is one of the section's top recruits. The younger brother of Leki will play quarterback out of the wildcat formation at times. He has offers from Washington State, Fresno State, Hawaii, UNLV and San Jose State, among others.

Nio Mafi (6-4, 320) and Nick Brown (6-0, 185) anchor the lines.

See the MaxPreps California football photo galleries

5. Los Gatos
2016 record: 8-4
Head coach: Mark Krail

Like Serra, Los Gatos started slow before catching fire late.

With key returners and an abundance of leadership, Krail is very optimistic with this group, which includes senior quarterback Bobby Nelson (6-3, 200), running back/strong safety Will Fordyce (6-2, 200) and junior middle linebacker/fullback Kyle Smith (6-2, 220).

Add in a strong line, anchored by Joey Zanardi (6-2, 275) and Will Fulton (6-2, 260), and the Wildcats look primed to compete in a very tough Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division.