2016 Arizona Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
August 10, 2016 by MaxPreps, AZPreps365
{EMBED_VIDEO_46c2adda-583b-430c-b54e-17d55438dd41}Video: Top 25 Early Contenders - No. 25 Saguaro
1. Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)
Head coach: Norris Vaughan
2015 record: 12-1
Team Preview
A second-consecutive undefeated regular season could be hard to pull off, considering the second and third teams on this list are on the schedule. But it's nearly a lock that the Pride will make the final four of the newly formed 6A Conference.
Mountain Pointe brings back plenty of talent, especially defensively, in wide receiver/safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, linebacker Rashie Hodge, safety Kenny Churchwell, cornerback Antwaun Woodberry and a bruising front four.
The offense has a few more new faces but is in good hands with senior first-year starter Noah Grover behind center.
See the Maxpreps Arizona computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Chandler
Head Coach: Shaun Aguano
2015 record: 11-1
Team preview
Injuries derailed the Wolves' defense of the 2014 state title, the first in school history, but the talent – as always it seems – is there to make another run.
On offense the running back duo of seniors TJ Green and Ryan Johnson will run behind four returning starters on the O-line and a new quarterback to be determined through camp with sophomore Jacob Conover possibly being the favorite over two upperclassmen. The defense is led by defensive lineman Chris Manoa, linebacker Parker Henley and defensive back Imani Lee.
See the MaxPreps national football videos page
3. Desert Ridge (Mesa)
Head Coach: Jeremy Hathcock
2015 record: 11-3
Team preview
Photo by Steve PaynterThe Jaguars were the big-school runner-ups a year ago and bring back plenty of players with state championship experience. Desert Ridge feels it can make a similar run and at the forefront of the expectations is wide receiver/defensive end Jalen Harris as he looks to improve upon last year's 50-catch, 17.5-sack season.
A big key to the Jaguars' season will be quarterback CJ Fowler, who took over full time last year after two other quarterbacks were hurt. He completed just 47 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but was behind center in the state title game.
See the MaxPreps Arizona football photos page
4. Hamilton (Chandler)
Head Coach: Steve Belles
2015 record: 10-2
Team preview
The Huskies lost in the quarterfinals last year and have only won one state title since 2011. That's a drought of epic proportions for a program that has won five championships, and made three other title games, since 2006.
Don't be surprised if it ends in 2016. The Huskies will make a push for another ring behind a talented offense that includes playmakers Jawhar Jordan at running back and Chance Brewington at wide receiver. The defense will stifle the opposition behind safety Satchel Escalante and linebacker Ladimor Hervey.
See the MaxPreps Arizona high school football playoff brackets
5. Saguaro (Scottsdale)
Head coach: Jason Mohns
2015 record: 12-2
Team preview
The Sabercats have a bunch of new talent added to an already very good returning core as Saguaro, winner of the second-biggest division a year ago, drops to the 4A Conference.
Stone Matthews is a player of the year candidate, as the 5-8, 180-pounder is one of the hardest runners in the state, and he'll take advantage of being behind one of the biggest lines in 4A. Saguaro's first two games are against out of state opponents in Serra (Calif.) and Valor Christian (Colo.), but probably won't be challenged much thereafter, as the Sabercats are favorites to win their eighth state title since 2006.
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for Times Publications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.
2016 Arizona Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)
Head coach: Norris Vaughan
2015 record: 12-1
Team Preview
A second-consecutive undefeated regular season could be hard to pull off, considering the second and third teams on this list are on the schedule. But it's nearly a lock that the Pride will make the final four of the newly formed 6A Conference.
Mountain Pointe brings back plenty of talent, especially defensively, in wide receiver/safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, linebacker Rashie Hodge, safety Kenny Churchwell, cornerback Antwaun Woodberry and a bruising front four.
The offense has a few more new faces but is in good hands with senior first-year starter Noah Grover behind center.
See the Maxpreps Arizona computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Chandler
Head Coach: Shaun Aguano
2015 record: 11-1
Team preview
Injuries derailed the Wolves' defense of the 2014 state title, the first in school history, but the talent – as always it seems – is there to make another run.
On offense the running back duo of seniors TJ Green and Ryan Johnson will run behind four returning starters on the O-line and a new quarterback to be determined through camp with sophomore Jacob Conover possibly being the favorite over two upperclassmen. The defense is led by defensive lineman Chris Manoa, linebacker Parker Henley and defensive back Imani Lee.
See the MaxPreps national football videos page
3. Desert Ridge (Mesa)
Head Coach: Jeremy Hathcock
2015 record: 11-3
Team preview
Photo by Steve PaynterJalen Harris, Desert Ridge
A big key to the Jaguars' season will be quarterback CJ Fowler, who took over full time last year after two other quarterbacks were hurt. He completed just 47 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but was behind center in the state title game.
See the MaxPreps Arizona football photos page
4. Hamilton (Chandler)
Head Coach: Steve Belles
2015 record: 10-2
Team preview
The Huskies lost in the quarterfinals last year and have only won one state title since 2011. That's a drought of epic proportions for a program that has won five championships, and made three other title games, since 2006.
Don't be surprised if it ends in 2016. The Huskies will make a push for another ring behind a talented offense that includes playmakers Jawhar Jordan at running back and Chance Brewington at wide receiver. The defense will stifle the opposition behind safety Satchel Escalante and linebacker Ladimor Hervey.
See the MaxPreps Arizona high school football playoff brackets
5. Saguaro (Scottsdale)
Head coach: Jason Mohns
2015 record: 12-2
Team preview
The Sabercats have a bunch of new talent added to an already very good returning core as Saguaro, winner of the second-biggest division a year ago, drops to the 4A Conference.
Stone Matthews is a player of the year candidate, as the 5-8, 180-pounder is one of the hardest runners in the state, and he'll take advantage of being behind one of the biggest lines in 4A. Saguaro's first two games are against out of state opponents in Serra (Calif.) and Valor Christian (Colo.), but probably won't be challenged much thereafter, as the Sabercats are favorites to win their eighth state title since 2006.
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for Times Publications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.
