2017 Early Contenders high school football preview: The next 5

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Video: Photo Shoot - No. 26 Mountain Pointe
See all the fun and revelry the Pride had with one of our professional photographers.

Head coach: Norris Vaughan

Last season: 13-1, lost in 6A state championship game to Chandler, 36-17

STORYLINE

Mountain Pointe was one win away from finishing with its second perfect season in school history but lost to Chandler in the 6A state title game. The Pride will be hungry this year and even with Isaiah Pola-Mao graduating, his younger "big" brother Matthew Pola-Mao is ready to become the leader on the defense. He is one of the best defensive players in the country regardless of class. If Gary Bragg can come back healthy from an ACL tear in 2016, expect a big year for the Pride.
Head coach: Dave Henigan

Last season: 14-1, lost in 5A-1 state semifinals to Highland Park, 31-24

STORYLINE

The Raiders return most of their key players from last year's team that lost to the eventual champ. When it comes to talent, Henigan's team will be right there with anyone in the state, especially with 4-star quarterback Spencer Sanders coming back with his top two receivers, Gabriel Douglas and Chritauskie Dove.
Head coach: Joe Casemento

Last season: 8-4, lost in WCAC championship game to DeMatha, 34-29

STORYLINE

St. John's was one quarter away from snapping DeMatha's streak of consecutive WCAC titles but got outscored 20-7 in the final period. Despite losing one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country in Kasim Hill, the Cadets should be fine under center with Kevin Doyle taking over. Casamento is turning St. John's into one of the best teams in the DMV area. In his first season the Cadets went 8-4, with three of those losses coming to IMG Academy and DeMatha. During his 17-year tenure as head coach at Christian Brothers (Syracuse, N.Y.) he went 143-27.

Head coach: Bob Beatty

Last season: 15-0, No. 16 national ranking, won 6A state title over Lafayette, 56-21

STORYLINE

Trinity has been one of the top high school football programs in the country for a long time now. Last season the Sharmocks won the school's 24th state title and it was Beatty's 12th at Trinity. They return two of the best players in the state with 5-star defensive end Stephen Herron, the No. 1 player from Kentucky in the Class of 2019, and 4-star playmaker Rondale Moore, the No. 1 player from Kentucky in the Class of 2018.

Head coach: Strait Herron

Last season: 14-1, No. 20 national ranking, won 4A state title over Hartsville, 51-28

STORYLINE

South Pointe won its third-consecutive state title in 2016 and over the last three seasons has gone 40-5. The Stallions have the No. 1 player overall from South Carolina in the Class of 2018 returning in Derion Kendrick. The Clemson commit checks in as the No. 15 wide receiver among all rising seniors but he is the starting quarterback for South Pointe and is one of the best playmakers in all of high school football.