MaxPreps 2015 Connecticut preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: 2014 sophomore highlights
See Southington's Anthony Plantamuro in action as a sophomore.


1. Southington
Coach: Mike Drury
2014 finish: 12-0
Team preview

The Blue Knights leveled nearly everyone in their path on their way to a second Class LL title and the state's No. 1 ranking, so opponents will be delighted to know that Logan LaRosa (linebacker) and Anthony Plantamuro (cornerback) are the only defensive starters returning.

"Our secondary and linebackers are going to be good," Drury said. "We've got some guys. What's good about this defense is it will be the fastest defense I've ever coached."

Okay, perhaps Southington's D will be terrifying again. The offense won't be slowing down, as over half that group returns, including quarterback Jay Rose (3,190 yards passing, 47 touchdowns) and running backs Alessio Diana (1,058 yards, 11 TDs) and Vance Upham (948 yards, 11 TDs).

See the Top 10 teams with the most Connecticut state titles all-time

2. New Canaan
Coach: Lou Marinelli
2014 finish: 11-1
Team preview

The Rams were supposed to be less formidable last season after graduating a large and terrific senior class. Then New Canaan reloaded and won its eighth state title in 14 seasons. So no one is going to doubt the Rams this season even though they graduated eight of their 11 defensive starters, and had assistant coach/offensive savant John Marinelli leave to take his first head-coaching gig at rival Greenwich. Michael Collins (2,624 yards passing, 32 touchdowns) may be the state’s best quarterback. Receiver Kyle Smith is a large target (6-foot-3, 222 pounds) and led the team in receiving yards (722) and touchdowns (10) last year. FBS schools are wooing offensive tackle/large human Lucas Niang (6-6, 295), too.

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3. Darien
Coach: Rob Trifone
2014 finish: 12-1
Team preview

A quick summary of the Blue Wave’s previous two seasons — play at a Top 10 level all regular season, stun frenemy New Canaan at their traditional Thanksgiving Day game, advance to the state final, and get beat by New Canaan. Darien will once again battle the Rams for Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference supremacy, but it’s moved up to Class LL this season (hello Southington, good bye New Canaan). Timothy Graham starts his second season at quarterback (2,525 yards, 24 touchdowns). The team’s leading rusher (Shelby Grant) and receiver (Colin Minicus) are also back. Both the offensive and defensive lines will almost be completely new. Sadly for opponents, defensive end Mark Evanchick returns for his fourth year of terror. He had 25 sacks last season and needs 18 more to best NFL star Dwight Freeney for the state career sack record.

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4. Windsor
Coach: Rob Fleeting
2014 finish: 12-0
Team preview

Connecticut was denied a New Canaan-Windsor playoff game last season, as the state's four tournament classes were broken up into two divisions, thus New Canaan won Class L-Large and Windsor Class L-Small. There will be just four playoff classes this year, and the Warriors are among the Class L favorites. Tyler Coyle (28 catches, 700 yard, 11 TDs) was Windsor's leading receiver last year, and Bennie Fulse ran for 1,435 yards and 14 TDs (he averaged 11.8 yards a carry, too). Transfer quarterback Jakhari Grant is sure going to have fun with his new teammates. Defensive tackle Luis Aviles (63 tackles) and linebacker Malik Ellis (team-high 114 tackles) are among the six returning defensive starters.

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5. Notre Dame (West Haven)
Coach: Tom Marcucci
2014 finish: 9-4
Team preview

Folks around Notre Dame pointed towards 2015 as the year that the Green Knights would have their next great team. Notre Dame tried to accelerate its timetable as they played for the Class L-Small title last year (a 38-16 loss to Windsor). It also beat Class LL-Small champion Xavier during the regular season (27-24). Christian Lupoli (1,977 yards passing, 15 TDs; team-high 786 yards rushing), Prince Brooks (716 yards, 8 TDs) and Nico Ragaini (71 catches, 1,036 yards, 7 TDs) are among the seven starters back on offense. The Green Knights' schedule is absolutely brutal, though, in particular the front end. They'll open with traditional powerhouses Fairfield Prep and West Haven, followed by games against Class L-Small semifinalist North Haven, Class LL-Small runner-up Shelton and Xavier.