MaxPreps 2015 CIF Southern Section preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: KJ Costello - Top 5 plays
See the Santa Margarita High quarterback's top plays from last season.


Editor's note: St. John Bosco, Centennial, Bishop Amat and Mater Dei are included in the California overall Fab 5, and therefore not included on the Southern Section list.

1. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Coach: Rick Curtis
2014 finish: 6-5
Team preview

The Eagles experienced a tough end to the season, with losses in their final three games. They're back with yet another brutal schedule and with six returning starters on each side of the ball. Quarterback Kj Costello is a five-star recruit and the Stanford commit knows his way around the Trinity League. He also has uncommitted top recruit Dylan Crawford coming back at wide receiver. Those two alone give the Eagles a shot to once again reach the postseason, and on defense, Matthew Mark comes back to play linebacker in addition to some running back duties. Line play is a question mark, though the nonleague schedule is decidedly easier than last season.

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2. Serra (Gardena)
Coach: Scott Altenberg
2014 finish: 8-3
Team preview

The list of top college talent that left Serra is long. So is the list of impact players on this year's roster. Such is life in Altenberg's successful program. After losing 68-64 to Open Division State Bowl runner-up Centennial in the opening round of the playoffs, Serra comes back with the state's top Class of 2016 recruit in UCLA commit Oluwole Betiku (a wide receiver) and uncommitted safety Brandon Burton. Another safety, C.J. Pollard plans to continue the Serra-to-USC pipeline and quarterback Khalil Tate is committed to Arizona. Replacing three offensive line starters and navigating a schedule that includes Centennial and Narbonne in addition to Mission League games.

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3. Crespi (Encino)
Coach: Troy Thomas
2014 finish: 9-2
Team preview

The Celts are on the way to success in the Troy Thomas era and will look to improve upon last season's playoff victory over Santa Margarita. This season they have UCLA commit Marcus Moore back at wide receiver and fullback Jalen Starks is also committed to the Bruins. They also have six defensive starters returning. Look for big man Jotavi Leuta-ulu to also post some big production at 6-foot-2, 300 pounds. Crespi will face Trinity League squads St. John Bosco and Orange Lutheran in the nonleague season.

See last season's Southern Section football computer rankings

4. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta)
Coach: Coley Candaele
2014 finish: 11-3
Team preview

The Broncos reached the West Valley Division semifinals but lost to Mission Viejo last year, and this year they bring back seven offensive starters and five defensive starters. And the JV team was 9-1. Senior quarterback Kyle Williams is a three-star recruit according to 247Sports and on the defensive side, cornerback Jalen Russell is also a noteworthy name when it comes to college interest. As usual, it will be a fast team with the ability to put up points. The question mark is the front seven, which does get defensive tackle Kevin Atkins (6-3, 260) back for his senior season.

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5. Redlands East Valley
Coach: Kurt Bruich
2014 finish: 15-1
Team preview

A Division II State Bowl Game title capped off a spectacular season for the Wildcats and they've got plenty of firepower coming back to make another bid. Seven offensive starters return, led by wide receivers Khris Vaughn (uncommitted) and CJ Harris (UNLV commit). Armando Herrera will return for his junior campaign at quarterback as well. On defense, there are six starters coming back and that includes linebacker Matteo Biscotti. REV also had a 9-0-1 JV team last season, so the talent level shouldn't drop off much. A road game at Chaminade will be a tough test to open the season.