PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 28 Glenville

28. Glenville (Cleveland)
Last season’s record: 10-3, lost in Division I quarterfinals
Coach: Ted Ginn Sr.
Key players: OT Marcus Hall (6-5, 295, Sr.), QB Terrence Owens (6-2, 165, Sr.), WR/DB Christian Bryant (5-10, 175, Jr.), LB/DE Jonathan Newsome (6-3, 230, Sr.), DB Mike Edwards (5-10, 170, Sr.), LB Travis Freeman (6-0, 185, Sr.), DE Xavier Hines (6-2, 240, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Skill players, secondary
Question mark: Running game
Outlook: Don’t be surprised if this is the year Glenville wins its first state championship. The Tarblooders bring back plenty of talent and experience, beginning with Hall up front. The huge offensive tackle has great athleticism for a big man and is a rare three-year starting lineman at Glenville. The signal-caller is returning starter Owens, who improved throughout his junior season. His top receiving target might be Bryant, who also starts at safety and could also be used as an option quarterback. Opposing offenses have a tough time finding a way to block Newsome, an Ohio State recruit with the skills and athletic ability to line up at defensive end or outside linebacker. Freeman is a linebacker who can really get to the ball and deliver a blow. The top returning defensive back is Edwards, who has great speed and is smooth and fluid in coverage.
Toughest games: Aug. 23 vs. St. Ignatius, Sept. 1 vs. Thomas Jefferson (Pa.) at Wheeling, W.Va.

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 29 Stone Bridge

29. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.)

Last season’s record: 14-1, Division 5 champion

Coach: Mickey Thompson

Key players: DE/TE Zach Thompson (6-5, 255, Sr.), DE/TE Brian Slay (6-3, 275, Sr.), OL/DL David Wang (6-2, 295, Sr.), QB Patrick Thompson (6-2, 210, Sr.), LB Mike Olson (6-4, 215, Sr.), RB/DB Daniel Allen (5-11, 185, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Defense front seven, QB

Question mark: Depth

Outlook: Six offensive and eight defensive starters are back for the Bulldogs, who won their first state championship last season. Coach Thompson lists six Division I starters in the senior class including four already committed to ACC schools. Zach Thompson (Wake Forest) had 42 solo tackles and was all-state as a junior. Slay (N.C. State) also was all-state with 49 solo stops. Wang (Virginia Tech) was all-state at offensive guard. Olson (Wake Forest) is a former safety who has added weight and developed into a standout linebacker. On offense, Patrick Thompson returns as signal caller in Stone Bridge’s highly productive combination single-wing/spread attack. He threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns with only seven interceptions as a junior.

Toughest games: Aug. 29 vs. No. 82 West Springfield, Sept. 5 vs. Robinson

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 30 Phoebus

30. Phoebus (Hampton, Va.)
Last season’s record: 13-1, Division 5 runner-up
Coach: Bill Dee
Key players: QB Tajh Boyd (6-0, 210, Sr.), OL/DL Dominik Davenport (6-1, 265, Sr.), RB Shawne Alston (6-0, 195, Sr.), DB LoVante’ Battle (5-11, 185, Sr.), TE Demetrius Ward (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Experience
Question mark: Special teams
Outlook: The Phantoms, three times a state champion this decade, have all the ingredients for another run to the top. Eighteen starters return, including 10 on defense where Davenport earned Eastern Region Defensive Player of the Year accolades after recording 34 tackles for loss and 18 sacks. He and the region’s offensive player of the year, Boyd, have committed to play at West Virginia. Boyd had over 2,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing for 32 total touchdowns. Yet another future Mountaineer is Alston, who contributed 1,724 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. A fourth player who has made an early Division I commitment is Battle, a Virginia-bound safety who plays more like a linebacker. He had 112 tackles including 17 for losses.
Toughest games: Oct. 10 vs. Hampton

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 31 Union

31. Union (Tulsa, Okla.)

Last season’s record: 13-1, Class 6A runner-up

Coach: Kirk Fridrich

Key players: RB Jeremy Smith (5-11, 203, Sr.), OT Brian Deshane (6-4, 280, Sr.), WR Anthony Foster (5-10, 170, Sr.), WR/TE Tracy Moore (6-3, 215, Sr.), WR/DB Howard Scarborough (5-8, 160, Sr.), DB Randy Stanley (5-9, 170, Sr.), OL Garrett Fuggett (6-0, 280, Sr.), QB Chase Boyce (5-11, 175, Jr.), DB Daniel Hauser (5-11, 180, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Skill players, running game

Question mark: Inexperience at QB, DL and LB

Outlook: The Redskins, who own three of the last six Class 6A state titles, return eight starters. Five regulars are back on offense, led by Oklahoma State recruit Smith. As a junior, he ran for 1,744 yards (including 548 yards in four playoff games) and 20 touchdowns. All three starting receivers – Foster, Moore and Scarborough – are also Division I prospects. The offense line is led by two veterans in Tulsa recruit Deshane and Fuggett. Spring practice failed to determine a definite starter at quarterback but Boyce, last year’s second-stringer, might have the inside track. Union’s 3-3-5 defense benefits by the return of three starting defensive backs.

Toughest games: Sept. 12 vs. Jenks, Sept. 19 at Muskogee, Sept. 26 vs. Stillwater, Oct. 3 at Owasso

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 32 Maine South

32. Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.)
Last season’s record: 10-2, lost in Class 8A quarterfinals
Coach: Dave Inserra
Key players: QB Charlie Goro (6-2, 190, Sr.), WR/K Joe Orlando (6-0, 175, Sr.), OC Joe Calabrese (6-3, 265, Sr.), LB Corby Ryan (6-0, 205, Sr.), LB Nick Catino (6-0, 185, Sr.), DT Zach Timm (6-3, 215, Sr.), WR Kevin Karrasch (6-2, 190, Sr.), RB Matt Perez (5-10, 195, Jr.), OT Victor Nelson (6-7, 282, So.)
Biggest strength: Speed on defense, passing game
Question mark: Young offensive line
Outlook: The 2008 season could be a breakthrough campaign for the Hawks, who have three state runner-up finishes the last five years. Nine starters return led by Goro, who Inserra calls the best quarterback in the state of Illinois. As a junior, Goro completed an efficient 76 percent of his passes for 2,720 yards and 26 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He also rushed for 490 yards and eight scores. The receiver corps is solid with Orlando and Karrasch returning. Perez has 4.5 speed and is expected to develop into a productive running back. A young but talented offensive line will benefit from the leadership of Calabrese. The defense returns key personnel at linebacker with Ryan and Catino as well as on the interior line with Timm.
Toughest games: Sept. 5 at Warren, Oct. 10 vs. New Trier

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 33 Pahokee

33. Pahokee (Fla.)

Last season’s record: 14-0, Class 2B champion

Coach: Blaze Thompson

Key players: QB/WR/DB Nu’Keese Richardson (5-11, 165, Sr.), LB/DB Carlos Lammons (5-10, 175, Sr.), WR/DB Willie Hickman (5-10, 160, Sr.), TE/DE Brandin Hawthorne (6-1, 195, Sr.), DB Jarvis Byrd (6-0, 175, Sr.), RB Vincent Smith (5-10, 175, Sr.), DE Norman Griffith (6-1, 205, Sr.), OL Donald Hester (6-4, 330, Sr.), OG Doral Willis (6-1, 300, Jr.)

Biggest strength: Defense, running game

Question mark: Passing game

Outlook: The Blue Devils have won four state titles in five years and start the season with a 28-game winning streak. Eleven starters return, but replacing five players who signed with Division I colleges will be a difficult task. Richardson, who has committed to Florida as a receiver, will take over at quarterback. He has legitimate 4.4 speed and makes the offense difficult to game plan against. Smith, a four-year varsity contributor, had 1,196 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. The offensive line has great size and talent led by Hester and Willis. Pahokee has 11 shutouts over the last two seasons, and this year’s defense features multiple players who helped make that happen. Lammons is a three-year starter with 19 sacks in two seasons. Hawthorne had 11 sacks as a junior and Byrd had eight pass breakups.

Toughest games: Aug. 30 vs. No. 52 Olive Branch (Miss.) in Miami, Oct. 3 at Byrnes (S.C.) on ESPN, Nov. 14 vs. No. 84 Glades Central

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 34 West Monroe

34. West Monroe (La.)
Last season’s record: 10-1, lost in second round of Class 5A playoffs
Coach: Don Shows
Key players: QB D.J. Banks (5-10, 175, Sr.), RB Ladarius Adams (5-9, 190, Sr.), OG David Hurd (6-6, 290, Sr.), LB Barkevious Mingo (6-5, 215, Sr.), DT Allen Jordan (6-5, 250, Jr.)
Biggest strength: Team speed
Question mark: Pass defense
Outlook: After an uncharacteristically early exit from the playoffs, the Rebels reload for the ’08 season with seven returning starters on each side of the ball. Banks will make quarterback his permanent position after also seeing time at running back and receiver as a junior. He has outstanding quickness and open-field moves. The Rebels’ running game will be strong with Adams, who ran for over 800 yards and averaged 8 yards per carry while sharing duty last season. Mingo returns to lead a fast and athletic defense. As a junior, he had 97 tackles and eight sacks on the football field while running a 48.5 400-meters time on the track. Jordan, a very talented junior, will anchor the Rebels’ front four. Shows has led West Monroe to six state championships in 19 seasons, the most recent coming in 2005.
Toughest games: Sept. 26 at Ouachita, Oct. 24 vs. Ruston

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 35 Maryville

35. Maryville (Tenn.)

Last season’s record: 15-0, Class 4A champion

Coach: George Quarles

Key players: DE Justin Smith (6-1, 245, Sr.), RB Thomas Shuler (5-10, 175, Sr.), WR/DB Chris Jordan (5-10, 165, Sr.), OL Marcus Engelhardt (6-1, 245, Sr.), RB Buddy Jones (5-9, 180, Jr.), DB Jamal Brazen (5-9, 160, Sr.), LB Jeffrey Booker (5-10, 190, Sr.), LB Luke Cox (5-10, 200, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Returning experience at RB, OL and LB

Question mark: Inexperience at QB and WR

Outlook: The Rebels have won 60 straight games, the second longest active streak in the nation among 11-man teams. They have four consecutive 4A titles and seven of eight this decade. In all, Maryville is an amazing 123-9 under Quarles in nine seasons. Eleven starters are back from last season, including three starting offensive linemen and three starting linebackers. Three members of last year’s squad signed with Division I or IAA schools. Smith and Jordan are considered the top Division I prospects in this year’s senior class. Smith earned all-state recognition as a junior. Jordan will be counted on heavily as a receiver. He caught 21 passes for 495 yards and nine touchdowns and had five interceptions as a defensive back. Booker and Cox are not big but were very productive in last year’s defense, which limited opponents to 13 points per game. Shuler shared carries at running back but still managed 920 yards with 12 touchdowns. The biggest question for the Rebels is at quarterback, where large shoes were left behind by Brent Burnette (Middle Tennessee State), who threw for nearly 3,500 yards last season. As many as four inexperienced players were expected to get reps as two-a-day drills began.

Toughest games: Aug. 22 at Halls, Aug. 29 vs. Alcoa

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 36 Allen

36. Allen (Texas)
Last season’s record: 10-1, lost in first round of Class 5A/I playoffs
Coach: Tom Westerberg
Key players: QB Matt Brown (6-0, 175, Jr.), WR Uzoma Nwachukwu (6-0, 180, Sr.), DB Steven Terrell (5-10, 175, Sr.), DT Nate Bonsu (6-2, 250, Sr.), RB Jeremiah Williams (5-11, 185, Sr.), OT Cody Milam (6-4, 315, Sr.), OT Justin Esparza (6-5, 295, Sr.), LB Matt McBride (5-11, 220, Sr.), LB Jason Butler (6-0, 200, Sr.), LB Cheyenne Urban (5-11, 215, Jr.), OT Luke Burleson (6-5, 260, Jr.)
Biggest strength: Returning skill players, linebackers, depth
Question mark: Defense must improve
Outlook: The Eagles have as much returning talent as any team in Texas. There are 12 starters back, including eight who were all-district selections. The senior and junior classes boast at least 12 Division I prospects. Allen had no trouble scoring in '07, averaging 40 points per game. The problem was the Eagles’ defense gave up 27 per contest. Texas A&M-bound cornerback Terrell is one of seven returning regulars on a unit that should be greatly improved. Bonsu was all-district at tackle, plus all three starting linebackers return led by last year’s district sophomore defensive player of the year Urban. The offense should still put up big numbers with Brown steering the ship. As a sophomore, he passed for 2,420 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also ran for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns. Nwachukwu, another Texas A&M commit, runs great routes and is a big-time talent. The offensive line has great size and is led by all-district honoree Milam and Esparza.
Toughest games: Aug. 30 vs. Longview, Sept. 20 vs. Euless Trinity, Oct. 17 at Plano

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 37 Mission Viejo

37. Mission Viejo (Calif.)
Last season’s record: 6-4-1 (two forfeit losses not included), lost in first round of CIF Southern Section Pac-5 playoffs
Coach: Bob Johnson
Key players: QB Allan Bridgford (6-4, 215, Sr.), DB/WR Alex Mascarenas (6-0, 185, Sr.), WR Kevin Chandler (6-0, 190, Sr.), TE Tom Evans (6-3, 230, Sr.), RB/LB Jake Marshall (6-0, 210, Jr.), FB John Akiba (5-9, 230, Sr.), DB Colton Fitch (5-10, 185, Sr.), DL Josh Steinert (6-3, 265, Sr.), OL Mike Christie (6-5, 290, Jr.), DE Eric Antis (6-2, 235, Sr.), LB Kris Mueller (6-2, 215, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Skill players
Question mark: Offensive line
Outlook: After suffering through their worst season in 10 years, the Diablos should contend for their fourth CIF championship since 2001. Six offensive and five defensive returning starters are led by signal caller Bridgford. A three-year starter, the California recruit completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,508 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. His top target also returns with Chandler, an All-Orange County pick a year ago when he caught 67 passes for 935 yards and eight touchdowns. If the offensive line makes the progress that Johnson expects, MV’s once vaunted running attack might be back this fall. Marshall mostly played safety as a sophomore, but occasionally showed his stuff running the ball with an 8.5 yard-per-carry average. Future UCLA Bruin Mascarenas, a two-time All-CIF player, is back to lead what should be a greatly improved defense.
Toughest games: Sept. 19 at La Costa Canyon, Oct. 17 at Tesoro, Oct. 31 vs. San Clemente

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 38 Deerfield Beach

38. Deerfield Beach (Fla.)

Last season’s record: 11-3, lost in Class 6A semifinals

Coach: Art Taylor

Key players: QB Denard Robinson (5-11, 180, Sr.), DB/WR Adrian Witty (5-11, 185, Sr.), RB Cassius McDowell (5-9, 165, Jr.), OT Amos Dewey (6-4, 285, Sr.), DT/OT Jordan Miller (6-2, 240, Sr.), LB Fernando Dorrius (5-10, 210, Sr.), WR Travis McDonald (6-2, 185, Sr.), DT Johnny Seays (6-1, 235, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Team speed

Question mark: Inexperience at DE and WR

Outlook: Twelve starters are back from a team that defeated 5A champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the regular season and went down to the wire before losing, 19-14, to 6A titlist Miami Northwestern in the playoffs. The Bucks’ offense has a chance to be explosive with Robinson at the controls. He passed for nearly 2,000 yards and ran for 500 yards as a junior and has legitimate 4.4 speed. Witty is a standout at receiver and in the secondary. McDonald has great hands and leaping ability. McDowell will get most of the team’s carries out of the backfield. He ran for over 900 yards and scored 15 touchdowns as a sophomore. Miller and Seays bring a lot of athleticism to the interior of the Bucks’ defensive line.

Toughest games: Oct. 17 at St. Thomas Aquinas, Nov. 1 vs. Boyd Anderson

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 39 Quince Orchard

39. Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, Md.)
Last season’s record: 14-0, Class 4A champion
Coach: Dave Mencarini
Key players: QB/WR/RB/DB Travis Hawkins (5-10, 180, Sr.), DT/OL Terrance Stephens (6-3, 290, Sr.), DE Josh Ankrah (6-4, 255, Sr.), TE/DE Cody Magill (6-4, 240, Jr.), RB Dawuan Genies (5-10, 180, Sr.), RB Ben Sasu (5-8, 155, Jr.), OL Dake Williams (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Running game, defensive line
Question mark: Inexperience elsewhere
Outlook: Among the Cougars’ returning players are three of rivals.com’s Top 10 college prospects in the state of Maryland. Stephens, a big and strong two-way tackle who earned Washington Post all-metro and all-state accolades as a junior, has committed to Stanford. Hawkins will be the focal point of the Cougars offense, which averaged 34 points a game last year. He gained yardage by receiving, rushing and passing, but is being recruited by most colleges as a cornerback. The primary running back might be Genies, who earned all-league recognition last year. Another contributor toting the football will be Sasu, a real open-field threat. If there is a position stronger than running back for the Cougars, it is defensive end where Ankrah and Magill are coming off breakout seasons. Mencarini is 55-7 in four years at Quince Orchard.
Toughest games: at Gaithersburg, at Sherwood

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 40 Foley

40. Foley (Ala.)

Last season’s record: 12-1, lost in Class 6A quarterfinals

Coach: Todd Watson

Key players: DT D.J. Fluker (6-7, 315, Sr.), DE Justin Anderson (6-3, 235, Sr.), DE D.J. Jones (6-4, 235, Sr.), DT Trevior Graves (6-0, 245, Sr.), LB Dakota Simpkins (6-1, 210, Sr.), OL Estefano Malone (6-0, 250, Sr.), QB Marcus Washington (5-10, 185, Jr.)

Biggest strength: Defense

Question mark: Offense

Outlook: The Lions have enough talent on hand to challenge two-time defending champion Prattville for the 6A title. A defense that allowed only 11 points a game last year might be even stronger in ’08. The front seven looks downright scary with the addition of Alabama recruit Fluker, a transfer from Biloxi, Miss. He joins returning standouts Anderson, Jones and Graves. On offense, the Lions have some rebuilding to do with the graduation of All-America WR Julio Jones, now at Alabama. Malone is the top returning player on the offensive line. Washington, a talented junior, begins his second year as the Lions’ signal caller.

Toughest games: Oct. 3 at No. 78 Daphne, Oct. 17 at McGill-Toolen

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 41 Southlake Carroll

41. Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Last season’s record: 11-2, lost in third round Class 5A/II playoffs
Coach: Hal Wasson
Key players: QB Kyle Padron (6-4, 210, Sr.), DE Brayden Burnett (6-3, 245, Sr.), DE Jackson Richards (6-4, 250, Jr.), OG Will McWhirter (6-0, 247, Sr.), LB/K Cade Foster (6-0, 205, Sr.), LB Mitchell Osborne (6-2, 190, Jr.), OT Matt Boyles (6-3, 270, Sr.), WR/DB Josh Rake (5-11, 185, Sr.), RB Tommy Avers (5-8, 165, Jr.)
Biggest strength: Depth, speed, special teams, tradition
Question mark: Inexperience on offense
Outlook: With only returning offensive starter and four on defense, the Dragons are outside the preseason Top 25 for the first time since 2003. Carroll won state championships four times (2002, ’04-06) and National Prep Poll titles twice (2004-05) under coach Todd Dodge, who is now head coach at North Texas. Last year, Wasson’s first, the Dragons took their earliest exit from the postseason since 1999. Padron takes the reigns of Carroll’s high-energy, high-performance offense after seeing spot duty as a junior. Despite his inexperience, he already earned and accepted a scholarship offer from SMU. Rake and Avers will attempt to fill giant voids at receiver positions completely emptied by graduation. McWhirter, the lone returning starter on the offensive line, will be flanked at one tackle by Boyles. The defensive end positions are manned by a pair of Division I recruits. Burnett was first-team all-district last season and Richards, only a junior, has given an early pledge to play at Texas Tech. Foster, all-district in ’07 as a kicker, will also line up beside Osborne at linebacker.
Toughest games: Sept. 19 at Mesquite, Sept. 27 vs. North Shore, Oct. 17 at Marcus, Oct. 31 at Hebron

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 42 Plant

42. Plant (Tampa, Fla.)
Last season’s record: 11-2, lost in Class 4A quarterfinals
Coach: Robert Weiner
Key players: QB Aaron Murray (6-1, 205, Sr.), WR Orson Charles (6-3, 225, Sr.), DT Austin Clark (6-0, 255, Sr.), DB Hunter Baldwin (6-0, 200, Sr.), LB Mike Mirabella (6-0, 205, Jr.)
Biggest strength: Passing game, skill positions
Question mark: Inexperience elsewhere
Outlook: The Panthers are hoping the Nike 7-on-7 title they won in Oregon this summer is just the start of an overall championship season. The Plant team went undefeated against a field that included four other teams that will start the year in the preseason PrepNation 101 rankings. Murray, who is committed to Georgia, had a phenomenal junior season. He completed 201-of-329 passes (61 percent) for 4,013 yards and 51 touchdowns and ran 93 times for 932 yards (10 average) and another 12 scores. His chief target figures to be Charles, who has tight end size and wide receiver speed. There are only three returning starters on defense, where Clark anchors the interior line. More experience comes from Baldwin and Mirabella, who both earned all-county accolades a year ago.
Toughest games: Sept. 5 vs. Armwood (ESPNU), Oct. 31 vs. Chamberlain

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 43 Lufkin

43. Lufkin (Texas)

Last season’s record: 9-2, lost in first round of Class 5A/II playoffs

Coach: John Outlaw

Key players: DT Jamarkus McFarland (6-3, 290, Sr.), QB Jeffrey Claybon (6-2, 190, Sr.), RB Tre’von Lewis (5-10, 200, Sr.), DB Carrington Byndom (6-0, 180, Jr.), DE Germad Reed (6-1, 215, Sr.), DB Demarquez Freeman (5-9, 175, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Defense

Question mark: Offensive inexperience

Outlook: The Panthers return 11 starters, including eight who were all-district performers. The list begins with McFarland, the No. 1-rated defensive lineman in the country by rivals.com. As a junior, he made 77 tackles and was district defensive MVP despite battling against persistent double and even triple-team blocking. There are seven more veterans returning on defense including Byndom, who might follow in a line of highly recruited safeties at Lufkin. Freeman, who intercepted five passes last year, joins Byndom in the secondary. Claybon was the district offensive MVP as a junior after throwing for 1,834 yards and 20 touchdowns. Lewis appears ready for a breakout year after running for 704 yards and six touchdowns last season.

Toughest games: Aug. 29 at Tyler Lee, Sept. 19 at Longview, Sept. 27 at Mesquite, Nov. 11 at The Woodlands

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 44 Madison County

44. Madison County (Madison, Fla.)
Last season’s record: 13-1, Class 2A champion
Coach: Frankie Carroll
Key players: DT/OT Jacobbi McDaniel (6-1, 270, Sr.), RB Chris Thompson (5-9, 173, Sr.), RB Corey Akins (5-11, 195, Sr.), DB/WR Donteris Huggins (5-11, 178, Sr.), OT Justin Hood (6-2, 285, Sr.), LB Quanta Barfield (5-8, 160, Sr.), LB Cortez Akins (5-10, 185, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Experience
Question mark: QB
Outlook: Madison County has 17 returning starters, including two committed to play at nearby Florida State. Thompson ran for over 2,000 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior and added 170 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ turnover-plagued 24-19 spring game loss to Bayside. He is joined in the backfield by Corey Akins, who had more than 1,600 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns last year. McDaniel headlines a defense filled with talent and experience. He is a five-star recruit, according to rivals.com, after recording eight sacks and 21 tackles for loss as a junior. Linebackers Barfield and Cortez Akins each had over 100 total tackles. Huggins returns to the secondary where he was all-state in ’07 with five interceptions and two returned for touchdowns.
Toughest games: Sept. 5 vs. No. 46 Independence (N.C.), Oct. 31 vs. Godby

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 45 Timpview

45. Timpview (Provo, Utah)

Last season’s record: 13-0, Class 4A champion

Coach: Louis Wong

Key players: OT Xavier Su’a-Filo (6-5, 275, Sr.), DB Craig Bills (6-2, 205, Sr.), WR Travis Van Leeuwen (6-2, 180, Sr.), DE Bronson Kaufusi (6-6, 215, Jr.), DB Chris Badger (6-0, 190, Jr.), RB Levi Te’o (5-10, 175, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Experience, size

Question mark: QB and replacing injured Tui Crichton at OT

Outlook: The Thunderbirds are still considered the top team in Utah entering the 2008 season, despite a report earlier this month in the Salt Lake Tribune that all-state offensive tackle Crichton will miss his senior year with a shoulder injury. Crichton, a BYU recruit, combined with Su’a-Filo to form one of the most dominant blocking duos in the country last season. Eleven other starters return from a team that steamrolled opponents by a combined score of 545-92 last season, including a 50-7 drubbing of Pine View in the 4A final. The defense should remain strong with Kaufusi rushing the edge. He had 57 tackles and eight sacks as a sophomore. The secondary features a pair of playmakers with Badger and BYU commit Bills. The duo combined for over 90 tackles and six interceptions a year ago.

Toughest games: Aug. 22 at Pleasant Grove, Sept. 5 vs. Spanish Fork, Oct. 9 at Orem

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 46 Independence

46. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)
Last season’s record: 13-3, Class 4AA runner-up
Coach: Tom Knotts
Key players: QB Anthony Carrothers (5-8, 160, Jr.), DT Kortne Briggs (6-1, 270, Sr.), RB Taylor Caldwell (6-0, 200, Sr.), WR Michael Rhynes (6-2, 170, Sr.), OC Ryan Thompson (5-11, 185, Jr.)
Biggest strength: Athleticism, coaching
Question mark: Inexperience
Outlook: Several impressive streaks come to an end for the Patriots last season. Not only was their 109-game winning streak snapped by Cincinnati Elder at the Kirk Herbstreit Classic, the Patriots’ run of seven consecutive state championships and 39 straight playoff wins also fell off the board. But it’s still way too early to write off the future fortunes of Independence football, which is 106-4 in seven seasons under Knotts. The high-octane offense that produced three Division I quarterbacks this decade will be led again by Carrothers, who started as a sophomore and performed well throwing for 346 yards and two touchdowns against Elder, only his second-ever start. Look for Caldwell to have a big year running the ball after ranking among the team leaders in tackles and sacks playing linebacker last season. Only three starters are back on defense but it includes Briggs, a run-plugging tackle who can bench press 405 pounds.
Toughest games: Sept. 6 at Madison County (Fla.), Sept. 12 at West Charlotte, Nov. 7 at Butler

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 47 Grandview

47. Grandview (Aurora, Colo.)

Last season’s record: 12-2, Class 5A champion

Coach: John Schultz

Key players: QB/DB Matt Tucker (6-3, 200, Sr.), LB Todd Knight (6-2, 205, Sr.), DB/RB Tyree Davis (5-11, 175, Sr.), DB Craig Griffiths (5-9, 170, Sr.), DE Jerry Ceja (6-3, 225, Sr.), DE Jake Bomareto (6-0, 225, Sr.), WR Grant Miller (6-2, 190, Sr.), OC Sean May (6-0, 250, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Defensive speed, skill players

Question mark: Replacing state player of the year Bo Bolen at RB

Outlook: The Wolves return five offensive and six defensive starters to defend their first state championship. Tucker, committed to Arizona State, is a superb athlete who made big plays on both sides of the ball last season. Had had five interceptions and scored two touchdowns as a free safety, and took over at quarterback due to an injury in the state semifinals. Davis, who returned four kicks for touchdowns and started at cornerback, will be counted on to fill the large shoes of 2,400-yard rusher Bolen, now at Weber State. Miller is back to lead the receiving corps after catching 28 passes with six touchdowns. The offensive line has two starters back with May in the middle. Knight, a three-year starter at linebacker, leads a defense that has plenty of talent and experience.

Toughest games: Sept. 5 at Cherokee Trail, Sept. 26 vs. Fort Collins, Oct. 17 at Cherry Creek, Oct. 24 vs. No. 99 Mullen

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 48 Center Grove

48. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.)
Last season’s record: 9-2, lost in second round of Class 5A playoffs
Coach: Eric Moore
Key players: QB Jordan Luallen (6-3, 205, Sr.), LB/FB Anthony Elias (5-11, 230, Sr.), DT Joel Cox (6-2, 260, Jr.), DE Keith Dietel (6-3, 240, Sr.), WR Garrett Mack (6-5, 210, Jr.), RB/WR Luke Swift (6-2, 190, Sr.), RB Kyle Jones (6-0, 190, Sr.), OG Trey Thompson (6-1, 250, Sr.)
Biggest strength: QB, experience at most positions
Question mark: Inexperience at DB
Outlook: The Trojans, who have eight starters returning on each side of the line, hope to break through an Indiana large-school division dominated by four teams. Since 1985, only Ben Davis (7), Warren Central (5), Penn (4) and Carmel (3) have won Class 5A championships. Center Grove was a contender in many of those years but still seeks its first title. Championship squads are often led by an experienced and talented quarterback, and Luallen certainly fits those characteristics. He is a four-year starter who has committed to play at Georgia Tech. There is plenty of experience elsewhere on offense with both starting running backs returning as well as all five starting offensive linemen. Defensively, all-state linebacker Elias returns to duty after leading the team with 98 tackles. Up front, Cox and Dietel are coming off all-conference seasons.
Toughest games: Sept. 5 vs. 71 Carmel, Oct. 3 vs. Ben Davis, Oct. 17 vs. Warren Central

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 49 Punahou

49. Punahou (Honolulu)

Last season’s record: 7-2, missed the playoffs

Coach: Kale Ane

Key players: LB/RB Manti Te’o (6-2, 230, Sr.), RB/WR/DB Dalton Hilliard (5-10, 180, Sr.), QB Kimo Makaula (6-2, 210, Sr.), QB Cayman Shutter (6-0, 175, Sr.), WR Roby Toma (5-10, 160, Sr.), DT Sani Fuimaono (6-2, 260, Jr.), DT Trevor Iosefa (6-0, 275, Sr.), DB Nick Kido (6-2, 180, Sr.), DB/LB K.T. Tuumalo (6-2, 180, So.), OT Junior Feifa (6-6, 315, Sr.), LB Passi Iafeta (5-8, 170, Sr.)

Biggest strength: Manti Te’o, experience

Question mark: Has never won a state championship

Outlook: Sports Illustrated ranked Punahou the No. 1 high school for athletics in the entire country for the 2007-08 school year – and that was without the Buffanblu football team winning a state championship last fall. That certainly should change this year, with Punahou returning the most talent of any team on the Islands. A parade of Division I prospects begins with Te’o, the reigning state player of the year. As a junior, the rivals.com 5-star recruit recorded 91 tackles and nine sacks and also broke away for a state-record 99-yard touchdown run on offense. Hilliard, who is also being recruited heavily, is equally dangerous running the ball or catching it out of the backfield. Makaula and New Mexico recruit Shutter will share quarterback duties again. Toma led the team in receptions last season. Feifa, a transfer from California, will be a great addition to the offensive line. The defensive front is solid with Fuimaono and Iosefa’s size and experience. Tuumalo has the look of a future star.

Toughest games: Sept. 6 vs. Central Kitsap (Wash.) in Seattle, Sept. 13 vs. St. Louis, Nov. 12 vs. St. Louis

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 50 South Pointe

50. South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Last season’s record: 9-4, lost in second round of Class 4A/II playoffs
Coach: Bobby Carroll
Key players: QB/DB Stephon Gilmore (6-1, 190, Sr.), DB DeVonte Holloman (6-3, 210, Sr.), WR Charles Holmes (6-3, 195, Sr.), RB Devin Wherry (6-0, 215, Sr.), DB Pat Burris (6-0, 180, Sr.), DT Jibrille Fewell (6-2, 250, Sr.), LB Dominique Walker (5-11, 190, Sr.)*
Biggest strength: Skill positions
Question mark: Offensive line
Outlook: The Stallions are loaded with more than enough talent to contend for a state championship in just their third varsity season. The triggerman on offense is Gilmore, a blue chip prospect who had more than 2,800 combined passing and rushing yards with 25 touchdowns last year. He will have the luxury of throwing to Holmes, a South Carolina recruit who caught 44 passes for 988 yards. The top running back also returns with Wherry, who gained over 1,300 yards with 15 touchdowns. If both Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) transfers Hollomon and Walker are ruled eligible to play at South Pointe, the Stallions defense should be extremely salty. Hollomon, a Clemson recruit, is rated one of the top safeties in the country by rivals.com. Walker is a superb athlete and was named all-conference last season with the Patriots. Fewell has great strength and will anchor the defensive interior. *NOTE: The South Carolina High School League ruled against Walker's eligibility for this season after this capsule was published.
Toughest games: Sept. 12 at Clover, Nov. 7 vs. Rock Hill

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 51 Arrowhead

51. Arrowhead (Hartland, Wis.)

Last season’s record: 14-0, Division I champion

Coach: Tom Taraska

Key players: K Jeff Budzien (5-11, 163, Sr.), OT Jared Volk (6-4, 286, Sr.), OG Nick Doehling (6-3, 278, Sr.), LB Joe Balthazor (6-3, 207, Sr.), RB/WR/DB Brian Cook (5-11, 185, Jr.), QB Tom Parish (6-3, 198, Jr.)

Biggest strength: Offensive line, kicking game, linebackers

Question mark: Playing with pressure to repeat state title

Outlook: With 12 returning starters, including four on the offensive line, the Warhawks are in position to defend their large-school state championship. Volk and Doehling are third-year starters who work hard in the weight room and are Division I prospects. Parish, who sat out last season as a transfer, has a good arm and great athletic ability. Taraska says Cook was the most gifted sophomore ever to play at Arrowhead, a school that has produced several Big Ten college football players. He carried the ball 115 times for 1,306 yards (11.4 average) and 19 touchdowns. As a receiver, he averaged 19 yards per catch. The stalwart on defense is three-year starter Balthazor, a versatile athlete who can play outside linebacker or rush end. Arrowhead should dominate in on special teams with Budzien, one of the top-rated kickers in the nation. As a junior, he connected on field goals from 55 and 49 yards and was named all-state.

Toughest games: Sept. 12 vs. Mukwonago, Sept. 19 at Waukesha West

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 52 Olive Branch

52. Olive Branch (Miss.)
Last season’s record: 11-3, lost in Class 5A semifinals
Coach: Scott Samsel
Key players: DB/RB Rod Woodson (6-0, 200, Sr.), DB Keshun Cowan (6-0, 180, Sr.), OG Demarcus Harris (6-3, 285, Sr.), OT Damien Robinson (6-7, 330, Jr.), OT Aubrey Phillips (6-6, 330, Sr.), QB Clint Wilson (6-0, 180, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Skill players, offensive line
Question mark: Can they get over the South Panola hurdle?
Outlook: The Conquistadors probably can’t help but thinking "What if?" As in, what if nationally ranked rival South Panola – owner of the nation’s current win streak (75) – wasn’t on their schedule so often. Olive Branch has lost only nine games the last four seasons and seven of those losses (three in the playoffs) were at the hands of the Tigers. Third-year head coach Samsel hopes this is the breakthrough year for his squad against South Panola and time for it to win its first state championship. Alabama recruit Woodson, a three-year starter, is a one-man wrecking crew in the secondary. As a junior, he led the team in tackles (140) and made two interceptions. In limited duty as a running back, he also averaged 9 yards a carry. The strength of the offense will be the in the trenches where three Division I-caliber players will line up. At one tackle is Phillips, a transfer from Memphis who will play next season at the University of Tennessee. The other tackle is Robinson, a junior who already has college coaches lining up for his services.
Toughest games: Aug. 30 vs. Pahokee (Fla.) (at Miami), Oct. 3 vs. South Panola, Oct. 24 vs. Starkville, Nov. 7 vs. Tupelo

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 53 Mater Dei

53. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Last season’s record: 9-2, lost in first round of CIF-SS Pac-5 playoffs

Coach: Bruce Rollinson

Key players: QB Matt Barkley (6-3, 230, Sr.), DB/WR Christian Maldonado (6-0, 180, Sr.), RB Jaron Hytche (5-10, 210, Sr.), OT Chris Ward (6-5, 290, Jr.), LB Jordan Allen (5-10, 190, Jr.), OC Bryan Kiernan (6-2, 265, Sr.), DL Nick Lasoya (6-3, 280, Sr.), WR Victor Blackwell (6-1, 175, So.)

Biggest strength: QB

Question mark: Inexperienced in spots

Outlook: Four-year starter Barkley enters his senior having already won every imaginable national and state postseason honor. The USC commit is rated the No. 1 prospect in the country by every known recruiting service. As a junior, Barkley completed 213-of-340 passes (62 percent) for 3,560 yards and 35 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. The only question going into this season is the Monarchs’ supporting cast, which has five starters returning on each side of the ball but lost 10 players who signed with Division I and IAA colleges. Sophomore receiver Blackwell has great speed and will be counted on to make an immediate impact. Hytche returns at running back after leading the team in rushing. The offensive line must replace three starters but talented junior Ward is a great block around which to build. Mater Dei's defense returns a pair of all-league performers in Maldonado and Lasoya.

Toughest games: Sept. 3 vs. Carson, Sept. 19 vs. Corona Centennial, Oct. 3 at Edison, Oct. 17 at Servite, Oct. 31 at Santa Margarita, Nov. 7 vs. St. John Bosco, Nov. 13 vs. Orange Lutheran