ESPN Rise High School Pre-season Poll
ESPN has just come out with their yearly high school pre-season preview and rankings.
1. Trinity (Euless, Texas)
Last season's record: 15-1, Class 5A-I champion
Key players: QB Denarius McGhee (6-3, 180, Sr.); RB Dontrayevous Robinson (6-1, 205, Sr.); OL Cameron Graves (6-2, 265, Sr.); DB Eryon Barnett (6-2, 180, Sr.); LB Earnest Norman (6-0, 215, Sr.); DL Siosaia Tuipulotu (6-2, 280, Sr.)
Trinity is known for its participation in a 2007 Gatorade TV commercial, in which former NFL coach Bill Parcells asks the athletes if they have what it takes to pay the toll. This season, Trinity will find out if it has what it takes not only to pay the toll but also to sit atop the ESPN RISE FAB 50 national poll.
2. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)
Last season's record: 14-1, Class AAAAA champion
Key players: RB Greg Reid (5-9, 175, Sr.); DB Gerald Demps (6-1, 195, Sr.); QB Khary Franklin (5-6, 165, Jr.); WR Darius Howell (5-11, 190, Sr.); TE Jordan Black (6-4, 250, Jr.)
3. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Last season's record: 13-0, CIF Division I state champion
Key players: RB Kylan Butler (5-8, 180, Sr.); QB Blake Wayne (5-10, 170, Sr.); WR-DB Noah Perio (5-11, 165, Sr.); WR-DB Blair Wishom (6-0, 190, Sr.); OL-LB Zach Stanley (5-11, 206, Sr.)
4. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Last season's record: 14-1, Class 5A state champion
Key players: WR Duron Carter (6-3, 205, Sr.); QB Ryan Becker (6-0, 185, Sr.); C Brandon Linder (6-5, 280, Jr.); LB Conor O'Neill (6-1, 185, Sr.); Giovanni Bernard (5-9, 200, Jr.)
5. Jenks (Jenks, Okla.)
Last season's record: 13-1, Class 6A state champion
Key players: DB Gabe Lynn (6-0, 180, Sr.); LB E.J. Colbert (5-9, 220, Sr.); WR Tramaine Thompson (5-9, 170, Sr.); OL Brian Mincher (6-2, 270, Sr.); DL Jason Bixler (6-2, 220, Sr.)
6. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
Last season's record: 12-0, Non-Public Group IV champion
Key players: QB Brett Knief (6-0, 190, Sr.); RB Dillon Romain (5-11, 205, Sr.); RB Troy Jones (5-9, 185, Jr.); DB Trace McDermott (6-0, 190, Sr.); OL Jack Templeton (6-3, 260, Sr.)
The Ironmen, with eight offensive and five defensive returning starters, take to the road this season to face St. Xavier of Cincinnati and De La Salle of Concord, Calif., and are the only preseason ranked team in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 that is playing two others in the top 10.
7. Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.)
Last season's record: 11-2, WPIAL Class AAAA finalist
Key players: LB Dorian Bell (6-0, 225, Sr.); DB Corey Brown (6-0, 180, Sr.); DE B.J. Stevens (6-0, 235, Sr.); QB Robert Kalkstein (6-1, 180, Jr.); OL Colin Rodkey (6-4, 260)
8. Deerfield Beach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Last season's record: 11-3, Class 6A semifinalist
Key players: QB Denard Robinson (5-11, 180, Sr.); RB Cassius McDowell (5-9, 165, Jr.); DB Adrian Witty (6-1, 175, Sr.); DB Donte Dotson (5-9, 165, Jr.); DL Johnny Seays (6-1, 240, Sr.)
9. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Last season's record: 15-0, Division I champion
Key players: QB Luke Massey (6-5, 200, Jr.); OL Matthew James (6-7, 285, Sr.); LB Luke Kuedchly (6-3, 210, Sr.); DL Patrick Muldoon (6-4, 255, Sr.); RB Connor Earley (5-11, 190, Sr.)
Outlook: If the Bombers go unscathed and win their third state title in four years, they will be in contention once again for the final No. 1 ranking. Many thought last year's team should have been No. 1 instead of Miami Northwestern, based on strength of schedule, and that would again be a linchpin of any argument this team would have at the finish.
The schedule includes the top-ranked teams from New Jersey (Don Bosco Prep) and Alabama (Prattville) plus a defending Kentucky champ (Louisville Trinity) and an Indiana state runner-up (Indianapolis Cathedral). This doesn't even include the teams the Bombers will play or might play in their own state. Massey returns at QB after passing for 1,200 yards and seven TDs while starting the final seven games last season. Earley is expected to step up at RB after backing up All-American Darius Ashley last season. James leads the offensive line, while Kuedchly and Muldoon should make St. X rugged up front on defense. Kuedchly was the team's top tackle last year, while Muldoon was named to the all-state team.
10. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
Last season's record: 15-0, Class 5A champion
Key players: RB Marcus Latti (5-11, 195, Jr.); QB Chas Dodd (6-2, 185, Jr.); WR Ricco Sanders (5-11, 180, Sr.); DB Justin Bright (6-1, 190, Sr.); OL Jamie Dunaway (6-3, 270, Sr.)
