Top high school football team in each state for 2017

Video: Best football team from each state
Check out highlights from some of the top squads in the nation.

It’s the beginning of June, time for us at MaxPreps begin to break down the best 2017 football teams in the country.
 
While we have come out with our Top 25 Early Contenders list around this time of year in previous seasons, we’ll let that debate marinate a bit longer.
 
To get things started on the 2017 campaign, we’ve identified the best team on paper in every state. In a couple of weeks, we’ll offer a list of 100 teams we’re considering for our preseason top 25.
 
Until then, enjoy the top squad from each state in the country.


Alabama - Hoover
The defending class 7A state champs won their fourth state title since 2012 last season and they enter this year with a ton of talent coming back, led by 3-star wide receiver Shedrick Jackson, the nephew of Bo Jackson. The Buccaneers open the season against Georgia power Grayson and finish off the year against Florida titan IMG Academy.

Alaska - Soldotna
A medium-school powerhouse, Soldotna has won nine state championships in the past 11 years, including five in a row. After finishing 10-0 last year, Soldotna has one of the nation's longest winning streaks at 49 games. Brenner Furlong (5-11, 170) returns at running back after rushing for 1,439 yards and 15 touchdowns while also earning the state Gatorade Player of the Year honor.

Arizona - Chandler
The Wolves enter the 2017 season as one of the most talented teams in the west. Chandler won its second class 6A state title in a three-year span with a dominant 36-17 win over Mountain Pointe in the championship game. Starting quarterback Jacob Conover was selected as a second team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American after throwing for 3,000-plus yards and 36 touchdowns and expect another big year for the soon-to-be junior.

Arkansas - Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
While Pulaski Academy has gained a reputation as a team that never punts, it's also a perennial power at Arkansas' 5A level. The Bruins won the state championship, their third in a row, and have 11 total starters returning from the 13-1 squad. Leading the way is three-year starter Layne Hatcher, who led the state in passing as a junior with 4,656 yards and 58 touchdowns. Hatcher is joined by receiver Trajen Johnson, who caught 46 passes for 928 yards and 14 scores.

California - Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Bruce Rollinson has had some very talented teams during his near 30-year stint as head coach at Mater Dei. This might be his most talented bunch yet. MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year JT Daniels was the only non-senior to be named to the All-American Team after throwing for nearly 5,000 yards and 67 touchdowns. Five-star wide receiver Amon-ra St. Brown leads a talented bunch of players at the skill positions, 4-star offensive tackle Tommy Brown leads one of the best offensive lines in the country and on defense recent Claremont (Calif.) transfer, 4-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu, is coming off a 126-tackle season to go with 18 tackles for loss.

Colorado - Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
The Colorado power is coming off winning its seventh state title in an eight-year span and will have a good chance to make it eight out nine in 2017. Seven of those eight came with Christian McCaffrey or Dylan McCaffrey on the roster, and the next McCaffrey in line is 4-star athlete Luke McCaffrey, who checks in as the No. 1 player overall in the state from the 2019 class. Expect him to line up all over the field because the team also has the top quarterback in the state from the 2018 class in Blake Stenstrom, who will be competing in the Elite 11 finals during the first weekend of June in Southern California.

Connecticut - New Canaan
New Canaan has won four straight state championships, finishing 12-1 with a Class L state crown in 2016. Drew Pyne, a MaxPreps Freshman All-American, leads the offense after throwing for 2,347 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. Quintin O'Connell is the top returning receiver with 45 catches for 695 yards and seven touchdowns. The defense returns several of its top tacklers from last year, including middle linebacker Grant Morse (6-0, 195).

Delaware - Smyrna
Winners of 22 straight games, Smyrna has won back-to-back Division I state titles and finished 12-0 last year. Will Knight returns at running back after rushing for 226 yards and four touchdowns in the state championship game. He earned state Player of the Year honors after finishing with 1,339 yards and 24 touchdowns on 156 carries. He's joined in the backfield by second team All-State running back Leddie Brown (6-1, 195), and junior receiver Emon Roberts (5-11, 165), an All-State selection. Florida - IMG Academy (Bradenton)
When it comes to talent, no one matches what IMG Academy brings to the table. The Ascenders have six of the top 100 recruits in the 2018 class and five of the top 100 recruits in the 2019 class. They enter the 2017 season riding a 29-game winning streak and will have one of the toughest schedules in the country once again this year. 

Georgia - Grayson (Loganville)
The defending class 7A state champs are loaded once again this season and they will have a chance to do something they never have in school history - win back-to-back football state championships. Despite losing some key contributors and the head coach from last year's team, they will be just as talented as anyone in the country in 2017. Christian Hunnicutt makes his return back to Grayson after a one-year stint as the head coach at East Jackson (Ga.). He was the offensive line coach under Mickey Conn two years ago and was a key assistant coach at Buford from 1997-2011, helping them win seven state titles while he was there. Five-star linebacker Owen Pappoe checks in as a top-five player in the 2019 class and some other names to pay attention to are 4-star athlete Ronald Thompkins Jr., 4-star offensive tackle Wanya Morris, 3-star safety Kenyatta Watson and 3-star defensive tackle Tru Thompson. All four are Florida State commits.

Hawaii - Kahuku
The Red Raiders check in as the No. 1 team from the Aloha State largely because of superstar quarterback Sol-jay Maiava. The 2020 prospect was offered a scholarship in eighth grade from Jim Harbaugh and the University of Michigan. You can add him to the same category as two former St. Louis (Hawaii) stars - Tua Tagovailoa and Marcus Mariota - because he has all the tools to be a big-time quarterback. Like previously mentioned Grayson, Kahuku will have a new head coach for the 2017 season in former Indianapolis Colts player Makoa Freitas. He served as the offensive line coach the last two seasons under Vavae Tata and now takes over for the upcoming season.

Idaho - Rocky Mountain (Meridian)
After winning the Class 5A state championship in 2015, Rocky Mountain slipped to 9-3 last year. However, seven starters return on both sides of the ball, including All-State running back Carter Kuehl (5-8, 185) and second team All-State tackle Keeghan Freeborn (6-2, 305).

Illinois - Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake)
The Wolves are coming off an impressive 2016 that saw them go a perfect 14-0, winning every game by double-digits. They won the class 6A state championship, 48-17, over Sacred Heart-Griffin, and they finished the year outscoring the opposition 701-157. Four of their top players will be back again in 2017 - Samson Evans, Jeff Jenkins, Jacob Ommen and Joe Perhats. Evans led the team in passing and rushing last year, Jenkins is one of the top offensive linemen in the state (both are 2018 Iowa commits), and Perhats and Ommen were both the team leaders in tackles and sacks last season for one of the best defenses in the state.

Indiana - Warren Central (Indianapolis)
Indiana is one of the toughest states to pick a top team from because Warren Central, Ben Davis and Center Grove are all deserving. One of the main reasons why Warren Central gets the nod is because of 4-star wide receiver David Bell. He checks in as a Top 50 overall recruit in the 2019 class and is the the No. 1 player in all of Indiana. Bell was named to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American first team after hauling in over 100 receptions for 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns. Three-star defensive back Julius Brents battled through an injury-plagued junior season so expect a big-time year in 2017 from the leader on defense. Jayden George now gets the keys to the quarterback position as he tries to join his older brother, Jeff George Jr. (2013), and his dad, Jeff George (1985), to bring home a football state championship as the starting quarterback for the Warren Central Warriors.

Iowa - Dowling (West Des Moines)
Dowling Catholic (12-1) has been the team to beat in Iowa for the past four seasons as they have won four straight Class 4A titles along with eight consecutive league championships. Although four All-State players have graduated, all-state offensive lineman Zach Ross is back for his senior year.

Kansas - Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission)
Bishop Miege will surely miss state offensive Player of the Year Jafar Armstrong, at wide receiver, but All-State quarterback Carter Putz returns after leading the state in passing yardage with 3,264 yards and 50 touchdowns. Bishop Miege has won three straight Class 4A Division I championships, finishing 12-1 last year. Another player to watch is linebacker Joe Watskey (5-11, 225), who made second team All-State.

Kentucky - Trinity (Louisville)
The Shamrocks finished No. 16 in last year's final Xcellent 25 rankings, going 15-0 with a Kentucky Class 6A state championship. Trinity outscored opponents 695-147 last season and has won five state titles in the past 10 years — 24 in school history. Coach Bob Beatty won his 12th state title, giving him the most state titles in state history. All-State first team junior defensive lineman Stephen Herron (6-4, 220) is the top returning player for the Shamrocks.

Louisiana - Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport)
Just like Indiana, Louisiana was one of the toughest state to pick a top team from. After dropping their first two games of the season in 2016, the Eagles won 12 in a row, outscoring the opposition 591-75. The defense should be lights-out again in 2017 as they are set at all three levels. Four-star defensive tackle Davin Cotton, 3-star linebacker Micah Baskerville and 3-star safety ArDarius Washington are all LSU commits and will be returning next year to defend their Division 1 state title.

Maine - Bonny Eagle (Standish)
The Scots have won six state titles since 2004, including an 11-0 finish with a Class A championship in 2016. Bonny Eagle returns one of the top receivers in the state in second team All-State selection Kordell Menard (6-0, 170), while the defense returns one of the state's top linebackers in first team All-State pick Alex Sprague (5-11, 185).

Maryland - DeMatha (Hyattsville)
You know you are big-time when you are the most talented team from the DMV area and once again the DeMatha Stags get that honor. They won their fourth-consecutive WCAC title and will have a good chance to make it five in a row in 2017. DeMatha gets its toughest test of the season in the opener against Las Vegas power Bishop Gorman. DeMatha puts its 17-game winning streak on the line against the Gaels, a team that currently has the second-longest active win streak in 11-man football with 54 straight wins.

Massachusetts - Lawrence Academy (Groton)
The top-ranked team from Massachusetts enters the 2017 season with three of the top six players from the state, including the No. 1 player overall from the Bay State - Finn Dirstine. The 4-star offensive guard is a 2018 Boston College commit. The other two players are 3-star defensive tackle Ryan Betro and 3-star tight end Joe Luchetti, who like Dirstine, are Boston College bound.

Michigan - Cass Tech (Detroit)
Despite losing the No. 1 wide receiver in last year's class and starting quarterback, Cass Tech heads into the 2017 season as one of the most talented teams in the country. Three-star Eastern Michigan commit Aaron Jackson takes over at quarterback and 4-star cornerback Kalon Gervin checks in as the No. 2 player overall from Michigan in the 2018 class. He and 3-star linebacker DeAndre Square will help lead the way for one of the most talented defenses in all of high school football. Jaren Mangham, Dyontae Johnson, and three Southfield AT&T transfers give Cass Tech a good chance to repeat as state champs in 2017.

Minnesota - Eden Prairie
The Eagles were one win away from winning their first state championship since 2014, when they reeled off four in a row, and they should be right in the thick of things once again in 2017. They return their top passer and rusher from last year's 11-2 team. Soon-to-be junior Cole Kramer is one of the most poised quarterbacks in the state and Solofa(Solo) Falaniko rushed for over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2016. Last year they had one of the toughest defenses in the state, posting seven shutouts and allowing less than eight points per game. Expect another good defense this coming season led by 3-star Minnesota commit Benny Sapp, who checks in as the No. 2 player overall in the state among the 2018 class. Eden Prairie has gone 47-3 over the last 50 games with all three losses coming to Totino-Grace, a team that was strongly considered for the top spot.

Mississippi - West Point
The only team rated higher in the computer rankings from the state of Mississippi at the end of last season was Clinton, and that had a lot to do with their 5-star beast Cam Akers, who is now at Florida State. Four-star athlete Marcus Murphy rushed for a team-high 1,700-plus yards and 25 touchdowns and expects even bigger numbers during his senior year. They also return their top receiver in Jason Brownlee, and three of their top four tacklers from 2016 return - Xavier Fair, Antrayvious Brownlee and Terence Cherry. West Point finished last year as a winner of 13 in a row and won its first state title since 2010. There's a good chance the team could win its ninth in school history next season.

Missouri - Christian Brothers (St. Louis)
The top team from the Show Me State has one of the best wide receiving corps in the country led by the No. 1 wideout in the 2018 class, Kamryn Babb, and 2018 Nebraska commit Cameron Brown. Last season they averaged over 40 points per game; expect another explosive offense again in 2017.

Montana - Billings Senior
The Broncs had a senior-dominated team in 2016 and that led to a 13-0 finish and a Class AA state championship. Graduation didn't completely decimate Billings Senior, however, as All-State receiver Gabe Sulser (81 catches, 1,321 yards, 17 touchdowns) returns along with running back Nolan Askelson (668 yards rushing). The Broncs will miss All-State quarterback Nate Dick, who was the state offensive Player of the Year the past two seasons.

Nebraska - Omaha North
Omaha North posted a 12-1 record last year, but it won back-to-back state titles in 2013 and 2014. All-Super State running back Milton Sargbah and second team junior running back Zander Gray both return. Sargbah ran for 1,807 yards and 23 touchdowns, while Gray ran for 1,469 yards and 20 scores.

Nevada - Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
The Las Vegas power hasn't lost a game since the 2013 season and the Gaels have reeled off eight consecutive state titles. They enter this year as the defending mythical national champs and they currently have the second-longest active winning streak among all 11-man football teams with 54 consecutive wins. Despite losing Tate Martell, Haskell Garrett, Bubba Bolden and a handful of other big-time players, they still bring back one of the most talented teams in the country. Like usual they will be tested early, as their first four games come against DeMatha, Mater Dei, Miami Central and De La Salle.

New Hampshire - Bedford
The defending Division I state champions went 12-0 last year and return three all-conference players from that unit. Quarterback Connor Robert (6-1, 191) wide receiver Noah Chaberek (6-4, 195) and middle linebacker Spencer Adams (6-0, 210) all should make an impact.

New Jersey - Bergen Catholic (Oradell) One can make a strong case for any team from the North Jersey Super - United Red League, but Bergen Catholic gets the spot for No. 1 in the state because it is stacked on both sides of the ball. In the 2019 class the Crusaders have three of the top five players in the state - Antonio Alfano, Rahmir Johnson and Josh McKenzie. Three-star Boston College commit Johnny Langan is poised for a monster senior campaign behind center after playing the majority of last season with an ankle injury. The Crusaders will be tested early, as they have a five-game stretch that is arguably the toughest in the country with games lined up against Archbishop Wood, Mater Dei, Paramus Catholic, St. Joseph Regional and St. Peter's Prep.

New Mexico - Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho has won two straight state titles, going 13-0 in 2016 with a Class 6A championship. A total of nine starters return, led by second team All-State defensive lineman Keshawn Banks (5-11,185) and linebacker Cailon Bailon (6-3, 230). Rio Rancho will miss running back Josh Foley, who earned All-State offensive Player of the Year honors last year.

New York - Troy
Troy captured the Class AA state title last year with a 13-0 record and returns a number of All-State players. Joey Ward a first-team running back, leads the list and is joined by second-team defensive back Joe Casale, and third team all-purpose Dev Holmes.

North Carolina - Wake Forest
The No. 1 team from North Carolina finished last year a perfect 16-0, capped off with a class 4AA state title. The Cougars have one of the best backfields in the country, led by 3-star running back Devon Lawrence and Marquis Dunn. They combined for nearly 3,220 total yards and 49 touchdowns and the defense finished the 2016 season allowing less than seven points per game. Javon Terry, Connor Loeffler, Jaden McKenzie and Seth Williams should all play big roles in 2017.

North Dakota - Century (Bismarck)
Century has won back-to-back Class AAA state titles, going 10-2 last year. The state's top quarterback, first team All-State pick Jakob Olson (5-9, 155), returns along with all-conference receiver Kade Lynch.

Ohio - St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
The Cincinnati power had one of the most remarkable seasons last year. The Bombers entered one of the toughest postseason brackets with a 5-5 record but reeled off five straight in the Division 1 playoffs with wins over Fairfield, Colerain, Sycamore, Pickerington Central and St. Ignatius. St. X became the first five-loss team to win a state championship in Ohio football history and should ride that momentum into 2017. Three-star Wisconsin commit Chase Wolf will get the keys to the quarterback position. The top two receivers return in Cameron Specht and Andrew Wittrock. They will roll out one of the nastiest defenses in the country too, led by 3-star defensive end Blake Bacevich, Bobby Jefferson and Will Childs.

Oklahoma - Union (Tulsa)
The Tulsa power has won seven state championships since 2004, including a Class 6A-I state championship last year with a 10-2 record. While All-State running back Shamari Brooks has graduated, All-State receiver C.J. Moore (6-5, 175) returns.

Oregon - Jesuit (Portland)
Winners of the Class 6A state championship in 2015, Jesuit could win it all again in 2017 after going 11-1 last year. The offense is loaded with All-State running back Trey Lowe (5-9, 178) and offensive lineman Travis Spreen (6-4, 280) returning.

Pennsylvania - St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
The Hawks roll into the 2017 season riding a 14-game winning streak and finished last year as the No. 12 team in our Xcellent 25 rankings presented by the Army National Guard. Even though they lost 5-star running back D'Andre Swift to Georgia and some key pieces on the offensive line, they will bring back one of the most talented teams on the East Coast. Starting quarterback Marquez McCray returns, and at wide receiver, 2018 Virginia Tech commit Darryle Simmons and James Cherry are both back. Class of 2020 prospect Kolbe Burrell could be a breakout player at the running back position.

Rhode Island - Bishop Hendricken (Warwick)
Only one school in the nation (Bishop Gorman) has currently won more consecutive state titles than Bishop Hendricken's seven in a row. The Hawks (12-0) also have a 26-game win streak entering the 2017 season. State defensive Player of the Year Kwity Payne led a senior-dominated squad last year that included six all-state players. While no all-state players return, Bishop Hendricken remains the team to beat.

South Carolina - Fort Dorchester (North Charleston)
Although the Patriots fell to Dutch Fork in the Class 5A state semifinals and finished 12-2, they return the state's top players in quarterback Dakereon Joyner (6-2, 198). As a junior, he threw for 3,643 yards and 44 touchdowns while earning Gatorade state Player of the Year honors. He's joined by receiver Justin Williams (6-2, 192), who caught 58 passes for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

South Dakota - Washington (Sioux Falls)
Winner of 22 straight and two consecutive Class 11AAA state championships, Washington is again favored to win it all. The Warriors return one of the state's top linebackers in All-State pick Seth Benson. along with one of the state's top linemen in two-time All-State selection Wil Farniok (6-3, 265, C). Tupak is alive and well in the Warrior backfield as junior All-State pick Tupak Kpeayeh rambled for 1,667 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Meanwhile, Logan Uttecht returns for his senior season. He earned All-State last year after catching 43 passes for 835 yards and 11 scores.

Tennessee - Brentwood Academy
The Eagles soar into the 2017 season winners of back-to-back Division II Class AA state championships and they will have a good chance to make it three straight with the talent they bring back. Four-star wide receiver Camron Johnson, three-star athlete Gavin Schoenwald and 3-star linebacker Jackson Sirmon help form one of the best trios in the state.

Texas - DeSoto
DeSoto heads into this season as defending state champs after claiming the first title in school history. Courtney Douglas has been waiting two years for his turn to be the starting quarterback for the Eagles after sitting behind 4-stars Shawn Robinson and Tristan Wallace. Four-star athlete Byron Hanspard jr, 3-star running back Kelan Walker and La'vontae Shenault should play a big role in the offense. The best set of twins in the country are the leaders on defense, 2018 Michigan commits Gemon Green and German Green, and they help form one of the best secondaries in the state.

Utah - East (Salt Lake City)
This one came down to two teams: East and Bingham. East barely gets the nod because the Leopards might be the best team in the trenches in the country. Even though they lose Jaylen Warren, who broke just about every single season rushing record in 2016, they return the majority of their starting offensive line so the next running back up should have a breakout campaign. They roll into this year riding a 23-game winning streak and we will get a chance to find out who the top team in the state is on Aug. 25 when they take on Bingham.

Vermont - Windsor
Windsor won the Division III state title last year, finishing 11-0 with a 42-6 win over Otter Valley in the championship game. Windsor figures to be strong again, especially on the line and on defense. Trenton Allen (5-9, 175), a second team All-State pick, returns to anchor the offensive line. Defensive lineman Ben Meagher (6-1, 195) returns after earning second team All-State honors.

Virginia - Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach)
Chris Scott helped turn Ocean Lakes into a powerhouse and he is now doing the same at Bishop Sullivan Catholic. When it comes to talent they stack up with anyone in the country. Four-star inside linebacker Teradja Mitchell leads the way on defense and 3-star quarterback Tyler Desue is the leader on offense. Jaevon Becton, Dante Burke, Zachary Bevins and Tayvion Land help fill out one of the most talented teams in all of high school football.

Washington - Lake Stevens
Although Lake Stevens did not reach the Class 4A state championship game, the Vikings were unbeaten in the regular season and finished 11-1. Lake Stevens also returns he top pass-catch combination in the state in All-State quarterback Conor Bardue (6-1, 195) and All-State wide receiver Anthony Hutchinson (5-10, 185). Bardue threw for 3,023 yards and 41 touchdowns last year, while Hutchinson caught 46 passes for 849 yards and nine touchdowns.

West Virginia - Martinsburg
The Bulldogs blew away the competition in the postseason, outscoring opponents 203-7 to win the Class AAA state title. Martinsburg, which also won four straight state crowns between 2010 and 2013, defeated Spring Valley 49-7 in the finals to finish 14-0. State offensive Player of the Year Isaac Brown (6-1, 175) returns after catching 64 passes for 982 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's joined by second team All-State quarterback Tyson Bagent (6-2, 203), who threw for 2,403 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior. The defense is also solid with All-State defensive lineman Tavis Lee (6-3, 215) and All-State juniors DeWayne Grantham (5-10, 185) and Grant Harman (5-11, 190) returning at linebacker and defensive back, respectively.

Wisconsin - Kimberly
The Papermakers enter the 2017 season with the longest winning streak in the nation with 56 straight victories. Kimberly has won four straight Division I state titles and finished 14-0 last year with a 29-14 win over Franklin in the finals. If Kimberly is to extend the streak, it will have to do so without Danny Vanden Boom, who earned state Player of the Year honors from American Family Insurance. All-State running back D.J. Stewart does return, along with All-Region defensive End Boyd Dietzen.

Wyoming - Sheridan (Sheridan)
The Broncs have captured two straight Class 4A state titles, including a convincing 56-28 win over Natrona County (Casper) in last year's final. Sheridan finished 11-1, but loses All-State quarterback Drew Boedecker to graduation. Sheridan returns one of the state's top offensive linemen in Blayne Baker (6-5, 250), who earned All-State first team honors as a junior.