MaxPreps 2013 Maryland preseason football Fab 5

MaxPreps 2013 Maryland Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard 1. DeMatha (Hyattsville)
Head coach: Elijah Brooks
2012 finish: 9-3
Team preview

Loaded with a highly-skilled crop of seniors and an equally-talented group of rising sophomores, DeMatha has a legitimate shot to capture its first league title since 2008. Quarterback John Lovett returns with a plethora of offensive weapons including Cam Phillips, Mark Allen and Taiwan Deal. The defense will be very strong, especially at the linebacker spot with Jawhaun Bentley and Spencer Kleinrichert. Early matchups with St. Joseph Regional and Phoebus will be good tests.

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2. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney)
Head coach: Bob Milloy
2012 finish: 11-1; WCAC champion
Team preview

Under head coach Bob Milloy, Good Counsel has soared to new heights, capturing four Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles — a remarkable stretch of dominance in a very talented league. This year’s squad has to replace Brendan Marshall, Kendall Fuller and Dorian O’Daniel, but it boasts some very impressive young players like 6-foot-3 sophomore Keandre Jones. The team’s line play, led by Sam Mustipher, will be superb on both sides of the ball.

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3. Gilman (Baltimore)
Head coach: Biff Poggi
2012 finish: 9-2
Team preview

It will be difficult for Gilman to replace its blue-chip talent from a year ago, namely Henry Poggi and Shane Cockerville. The cupboard is far from bare, however. Look for Kai Locksley, the son of Maryland assistant coach Mike Locksley, to take over at quarterback with freshman Kasim Hill playing back up. Penn State commit Troy Vincent and Melvin Keihn will lead the team’s defense, which will be its strength early on.

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4. Calvert Hall (Baltimore)
Head coach: Donald Davis
2012 finish: 10-3
Team Preview

After throwing for 23 touchdowns a year ago, quarterback Colar Kuhns returns to lead Calvert Hall’s offense. Russell Neverdon joins him in the backfield. The secondary will be inexperienced, but talented. On the defensive front, sophomore Rashaun Smith was a standout last year as a freshman and is blossoming into a mega recruit.

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5. Wise (Upper Marlboro)
Head coach: DaLawn Parrish
2012 finish: 14-0; Class 4A state champion
Team Preview

With a 12-7 victory over Quince Orchard, Wise captured the Class 4A title last fall, capping an undefeated season. Quarterback Isaiah Black returns, as does running back Antwan Benjamin , the team’s fourth-leading rusher last year who averaged over five yards per attempt. Defensive back Marcus Allen, a Penn State commit, will roam the secondary.

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