MaxPreps 2014 Vermont preseason high school football Fab 5

1. Middlebury
2013 finish: 11-0
Head coach: Pete Brakeley

Middlebury won the state championship last year with a defense that allowed less than a touchdown per game. This year the focus might be more on offense with all-state quarterback Austin Robinson, who rushed for 12 touchdowns and averaged nine yards per carry. Robinson also threw 10 touchdown passes as the Tigers used a conservative rushing attack for much of the season. Middlebury also returns one of its top running backs in Cullen Hathaway. On defense, Middlebury returns two of its starting defensive backs in all-state pick Bobby Ritter and second team all-state selection Connor Quinn.

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2. South Burlington
2013 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Joseph McDonald

South Burlington fell just short of winning a state championship in 2013 as both of its losses came to Middlebury. The Rebels will miss running back Tanner Contois, who rushed for 2,357 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. However, one of the state's top receivers returns in all-state pick Cam Nolting (six touchdown receptions) along with fellow receiver Jeremy Clements (Jr.).

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3. Essex (Essex Junction )
2013 finish: 5-4
Head coach: Charlie Burnett

The offense figures to be solid for Essex this year as it returns its top pass-catch combination in quarterback Joey Robertson and wide receiver Cody Greene. Essex should have one of the top kicking games in the state with returning second team all-state selection Philip Wilson.

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4. Rice Memorial (South Burlington)
2013 finish: 8-2
Head coach: Neil Brodeur

Rice has won back-to-back Division II state championships and has won three in the past four seasons. The Green Knights will benefit from the return of one of the state's best offensive linemen in all-state second team pick John Boardman.

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5. Woodstock
2013 finish: 11-0
Head coach: Ramsey Worrell

A Division III team, Woodstock has won three straight state championships and has one of the longest active winning streaks in the nation at 31 games in a row. The Wasps return starting running back Nehemiah Wood, but will reportedly be without top defensive lineman Ethan Buckman due to a foot injury.