ESPN RISE

With football season fast approaching, ESPN RISE is taking a look at the nation's top high school football teams. Here's a look at the preseason ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings Nos. 50-26.

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Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame's Ryan Kasdorf was the California Junior Player of the Year in 2008.

Click here for last year's final rankings.

26. Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Ill.)
Last Season's Record: 11-3, Class 8A state runner-up
Key Players: QB John Whitelaw; RB Rich Zajeski; WR/DB Alex Kirk
Outlook: The Red Devils hope to take the final step toward a state title this season after bowing in the 2008 Class 8A championship game to Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.). A good start is Whitelaw: This dual-threat QB was a second team all-stater who accounted for 40 total touchdowns (19 pass, 21 rush) and over 3,500 yards last season. Kirk, the team's top WR, and 912-yard rusher Zajeski provide added offense. If Central can avenge last year's opening-game 28-27 loss to rival Wheaton-Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.), the title march will gain momentum.

27. West Monroe (La.)
Last Season's Record: 13-1, Class 5A state runner-up
Key Players: DL Jordan Allen; WR-KR Tyler Cain; LB Samer Mahgoub
Outlook: The Rebels came up one game short of an unbeaten state-championship season in 2008, but a lot of players gained valuable experience to set up another title run in 2009. Dual-threat QB D.J. Banks and top rusher Ladarius Adams have moved on, but veteran coach Don Shows has plenty coming back to fuel the offense. Allen, an all-state selection as a junior, anchors the defensive unit. The LSU commit had 70 tackles and nine sacks last season. West Monroe is seeking its third state title in the past five years.

28. Miami Central (Miami)
Last Season's Record: 8-4, Class 6A regional semifinalist
Key Players: QB Jeffrey Godfrey; RB Brandon Gainer; LB Derrick Dansby
Outlook: You don't have to look far to find a major threat to FAB 50 preseason No. 5 Miami Northwestern. The Rockets are loaded with top returnees and have three impact transfers. As juniors, Godfrey passed for 2,126 yards and 26 TDs while Gainer rambled for 1,644 yards and 17 scores. WR Joshua Reese also is back after catching 45 passes for nearly 800 yards. Dansby was the team's top tackler, but will be challenged for that label by transfer Miles Pace. RB Devonte Freeman and OL Jose Jose also have transferred to Central. Jose has already committed to Tennessee.

29. Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Last Season's Record: 10-3, CIF Southern Section Pac-5 semifinalist
Key Players: RB/LB Garrett Gilliland; QB Bobby Wheatley; PK-P Parker Flynn
Outlook: With Wheatley returning for his third year as the starting quarterback, the Lancers should be among the top teams in Southern California after getting to the semis in the toughest playoff division in the state. The loss of RB Exavier Edwards, who transferred to Mission Viejo (Calif.), should be made up for by RB Damani Wilson, who has run a 4.45 40-yard dash. Gilliland is one of several back on defense. With its tough schedule, it's not likely that the Lancers will go undefeated. They have the firepower and the coaching, though, to make a run late in the season once the playoffs roll around.

30. Colerain (Cincinnati)
Last Season's Record: 11-2, Division I regional finalist
Key Players: QB Greg Tabar; LB Tyon Dixon; LB Jarrett Grace
Outlook: It should be no surprise that the Cardinals are in the national picture, since they've been contenders over the past decade in rugged competition in the Cincinnati area as well as the state playoffs. After losing only one regular-season game the past three years and being halted in last season's playoffs in a double-overtime thriller to FAB 50 preseason No. 3-ranked Elder, Colerain reloads around Tabar. Two junior RBs, Tyler Williams and Traylon Durham, also are back after combining for over 2,200 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. A pair of LBs anchor the defense: Louisville recruit Dixon and Grace, who could be one of the top juniors in the nation.

31. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Last Season's Record: 11-1, CIF Southern Section Pac-5 quarterfinalist
Key Players: QB Ryan Kasdorf; OL/DL Ben Gottschalk; RB Kenny Boggs
Outlook: Kasdorf and the Knights were sizzling last year until running into FAB 50 preseason No. 29 Lutheran of Orange in the CIFSS playoffs. He was still the state junior player of the year with 3,291 yards passing and 36 TDs, with another 628 yards rushing and six scores. Kasdorf will be working with an entirely new receiving corps, but has another offensive weapon at his disposal in Boggs. He rushed for 1,028 yards and tallied 19 TDs as a junior. The line up front also will be stout, with Gottschalk along with Daniel Munyer leading the way. On defense, head coach Kevin Rooney is counting on four returning starters. LB Wayne Swinson and DB Bryan Ruballo are all-league-caliber players.

32. John Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Last Season's Record: 14-1, Class 2A state champion
Key Players: RB/DB Jonathan McKnight; LB John White; OL Luke Charpentier
Outlook: The Patriots hope to keep the momentum going from last season when they won their final 14 games and a 23rd state title. The defense will be led by seven returning starters, including cornerback McKnight, the brother of current USC standout Joe McKnight. Coach J.T. Curtis, the second-winningest prep coach in U.S. history with 471 victories, also has a massive offensive line returning but will break in a new quarterback and a running back to support McKnight. LB White was the team's second-leading tackler last year.

Beverly Pye

David Skinner will look to lead Bolles to another title.

33. Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)
Last Season's Record: 15-0, Class AAAAA state champion
Key Players: RB Aundre Johnson; RB Ean Days; LB Glenn Mack
Outlook: Head coach Jeff Herron has gone 108-10 with two state titles since coming to the school and is known as one of the top wing-T coaches in the nation. Two of last year's key ball carriers, Johnson and Days, will be back. On defense, Mack and fellow LB Antwan Sessions along with DE Derrick Saulsberry will make it tough for opposing teams to mount much of a rushing attack. The Wildcats beat legendary program Valdosta (Ga.) in 2003 to win their first state title, and last year beat Hoover (Ala.) in addition to winning a second crown. They play Hoover again this year, and another win could be a springboard to another impressive season.

34. Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.)
Last Season's Record: 14-1, Class 5A champion
Key Players: WR/DB Austin Collinsworth; LB/TE Brandon Roller; QB/DB Will Bardo
Outlook: The Bluebirds are loaded with returnees and are favored to win their third straight state title. On offense, last year's backup QB, Bardo, takes the reins from graduated Tony Guidugli. All-State WR Collinsworth, the son of former Cincinnati Bengal Cris Collinsworth, will be a favorite target and could see some duty at running back. The defense is anchored by Roller, also a top pass receiver at tight end. Coach Dale Mueller played a lot of underclassmen last season, and it could pay off in 2009.

35. Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.)
Last Season's Record: 10-3, Class AAAA district semifinalist
Key Players: QB Matt Johnson; WR Salath Williams; WR Jeremy Cornelius
Outlook: McDevitt averaged nearly 40 points per game last season, and with its primary weapons returning will be difficult to stop in 2009. Receivers Williams, who has committed to Pittsburgh, and Cornelius, who has verballed to Purdue, return after hauling in 80 catches for more than 1,500 yards last season. The Crusaders are hoping to end the District 3 playoff jinx, as no Harrisburg-area team has won a Class AAAA state title since 1992.

36. De La Salle (Warren, Mich.)
Last Season's Record: 13-1, Division 2 state finalist
Key Players: RB De'Angelo Parris; FB/LB Steve O'Shell; C/NG Matt Privett
Outlook: After finishing as state runner-up two of the past three seasons, the Pilots will bid to close the title deal with six offensive and six defensive starters returning from a 13-1 team. If De La Salle can survive the challenging Detroit Catholic League schedule -- including Brother Rice, Catholic Central and St. Mary's -- it will be the postseason favorite. Taking over the quarterback chores from graduated Josh Sinagoga will be Steve Laudicina, who pitched on last spring's state championship baseball team. Parris rushed for 649 yards last season.

37. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
Last Season's Record: 14-1, Division I state champion
Key Players: LB Scott McVey; TE Brendan Carozzoni; RB Kevin Johnson
Outlook: The defending state-champion Wildcats can never be counted out of contention after winning 10 Division 1 championships since 1988. Veteran coach Chuck Kyle, who also guided the U.S. Junior Team this summer, has to replace quarterback Andrew Holland, running back Mike Anter and wide receiver Joey Parris but the program depth remains. McVey is an Ohio State recruit and anchors another strong defense for the Wildcats. Carozzoni recently committed to Pittsburgh while Johnson is just starting to get Division I offers.

38. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Last Season's Record: 13-1, Class 5A, Division I champion
Key Players: DB Devon Carrington; RB Zach Bauman; OL Christian Westerman
Outlook: There is still plenty of star power on the roster of the Huskies, who have won four state titles in the past six years and have been in a state final six times in the past eight years. Carrington, who runs a 4.32 in the 40, has committed to Stanford and is an All-American candidate. Bauman is regarded as one of the top running backs in the state, while Westerman could be among the nation's top underclassman offensive linemen. Another key returnee is DL Tevin Hood. Head coach Steve Belles has built a consistent winner in the Valley of the Sun, and there's no reason to see a drop this season.

39. Stony Point (Round Rock, Texas)
Last Season's Record: 13-2, Class 5A, Division I state semifinalist
Key Players: TE Gerard Shillow; LB Nathan Godfrey; DB Desmond Martin
Outlook: Eleven starters return for head coach Craig Chessher. Since the Tigers lost in the state semis 23-21 to eventual champ Allen (Texas), there's a good chance they will step up into elite status within the Lone Star State this season. Six of those returnees are on defense, including all three starting LBs, led by Godfrey, the team tackling leader. Martin, who is committed to Texas Tech, is part of a talented secondary. Kevin White also will likely gain a Div. I scholarship, while Bralon Taplin is a track star and could be one of the fastest players in the state. Along with Shillow, the top playmaker on offense could be versatile Stephen Williams, who will see touches as a ball carrier and pass catcher.

40. Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Last Season's Record: 14-0, Class 2A state champion
Key Players: OL Brent Benedict; RB Jawan Jamison; DB Desmond Cooper
Outlook: Head coach Corky Rogers figures to have another juggernaut on his hands with a super group of returnees from a 2008 squad that was unbeaten. Benedict, a Georgia commit, is among the top offensive tackles in the nation. Jamison is back after rushing for 1,088 yards and 17 TDs and will be joined on offense by QB Chandler Carr. Rogers, the winningest coach in Florida history, starts his 41st season with a 375-68-1 record. Rogers' 2006 team also went 14-0 and won a state title.

41. Grant (Sacramento, Calif.)
Last Season's Record: 14-0, CIF Open Division state champion
Key Players: RB Devontae Butler; DL Viliami Moala; OL-DL Darryl Paulo
Outlook: Only five starters are back for the Pacers, who knocked off Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) to win their first CIF Open Division title last season and climbed to No. 10 in the final FAB 50. One of those five, though, is Butler, who rushed for 1,964 yards and 37 TDs even though he wasn't the fulltime starter until midway through the season. On defense, Grant will be solid up front with Moala, who dominated Poly and was an EA SPORTS Sophomore All-American. Head coach Mike Alberghini also will have some talented newcomers, especially sophomore Shaq Thompson, a wideout-defensive back who is the younger brother of All-American Syd'Quan Thompson of Cal.

42. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.)
Last Season's Record: 14-1, CIF Open Division state runner-up
Key Players: WR Kaelin Clay; OL Wilson Edwards; RB Cory Westbrook
Outlook: As back-to-back champions of the CIF Southern Section's Pac-Five Division, one of the toughest playoff brackets in the nation, the Jackrabbits are a team to beat once again. If a new quarterback develops, the offense should be set with RB Marcus Jackson and WR Alex Cannon joining Clay and Westbrook as prime-time playmakers. On defense, head coach Raul Lara has to replace just about his entire starting unit, but his defenses since he took over the program in 2001 have always been among the best in California. This year, Poly is expected to receive a severe challenge to its state record 79-game league winning streak from Lakewood (Calif.). The Lancers feature USC commit Jesse Scroggins at quarterback.

43. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
Last Season's Record: 14-1, Class 6A state champion
Key Players: RB Xavier Thomas; WR Darick Nix; PK/P Nick Robertson
Outlook: It's difficult to not include the Shamrocks when talking Kentucky football contenders. Trinity will be seeking its fifth straight title, the eighth in nine years, and already owns a state-record 19 crowns. Coach Bob Beatty has guided seven title teams in nine years at the helm, and his main focus is replacing graduated QB Cameron Smyth and top rusher Tim Phillips. Junior Brad Kragthorpe should fill the QB role, and Thomas will be the featured RB. Kragthorpe is the son of University of Louisville head coach Steve Kragthorpe.

44. Jenks (Okla.)
Last Season's Record: 12-2, Class 6A state runner-up
Key Players: OL Jake Alexander; OL Bob Graham; DB Stephen Brown
Outlook: It might actually play into the Trojans' favor that Union (Tulsa, Okla.) is starting out higher in the preseason rankings. Their rivalry has a tendency to go back and forth. The strength of this Jenks team is up front, with Alexander and Graham, along with other linemen such Ben Risenhoover and David Lore. Brown had 103 tackles from his secondary spot and along with Lore will lead the defense. On offense, RB Cory Jones scored 10 TDs last year and is hard to find dipping in and out of holes. QB Sawyer Kollmorgen started the final eight games as a sophomore and threw for 1,437 yards and 11 TDs. TE Tyler Ott and WR Jarrett Lake will be ones to watch as well.

45. Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Last Season's Record: 8-3, Class 5A, Division II Area finalist
Key Players: DE Jackson Richards; LB-PK Cade Foster; DB Kacy Rodgers
Outlook: This school known for its offense should have one of the top defensive units in Texas. Eight starters are back on that side of the ball, with five more returning on offense. Richards has committed to Texas Tech, Foster is headed to Alabama and Rodgers is bound for Miami. Foster, who was an all-district performer on defense, isn't going to Alabama for defense, though, as he's one of the top kickers in the nation. He's made 28 of 38 field goals so far in his career, with the longest from 48 yards. RB Tommy Ayers and QB David Piland will look to lead the offense. The Dragons won state titles from 2002 to 2006, and this year they have the arsenal to get back to the top.

46. Mullen (Denver)
Last Season's Record: 12-2, Class 5A state champion
Key Players: RB Adonis Ameen-Moore; DE Nduka Onyeali; OL Dwayne Pecosky
Outlook: The Mustangs played in their fourth state final in the past five years and start the season as the team to beat in Colorado. Last year's preseason team to beat, Cherry Creek (Englewood, Colo.), was the team Mullen defeated in the title game. Ameen-Moore, one of the top junior backs in the nation, had 132 yards rushing and two TDs in that game. He battled injuries early on last year, and if he has a strong season, Mullen is likely to rise much higher in the FAB 50. Onyeali, one of the top pass rushers in the nation, leads the defense. He starts the year with 28 career sacks. Head coach Dave Logan also has solid returnees on both sides of the line.

47. Liberty (Bethlehem, Pa.)
Last Season's Record: 15-1, Class AAAA state champion
Key Players: QB Anthony Gonzalez; WR-DB Jarrod West; LB Rashod Knight
Outlook: Only eight starters are back for the Hurricanes, but two of them are Gonzalez and West. Gonzalez posted nearly 3,300 yards of total offense and accounted for 36 TDs last year. One of the top QBs in the nation, he has a chance to join Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor as the only QBs in state history with 4,000 yards of rushing and 4,000 yards of passing for a career. West, meanwhile, has committed to Stanford and like Gonzalez is a force on both sides of the ball. Liberty, making its third state final appearance in four years in 2008, won its first state title after Gonzalez, in overtime, scored on a 1-yard run and then intercepted a pass to seal the 28-21 victory over Bethel Park (Pa.).

48. Pahokee (Fla.)
Last Season's Record: 12-3, Class 2B state champion
Key Players: WR-QB De'Joshua Johnson; DT Richard Ash; WR Chris Dunkley
Outlook: A fourth straight state title for the Blue Devils seems likely, but they don't have the opportunity to play a major opponent like Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.), which they did last season. Eleven starters are back plus Dunkley is transferring in from Royal (Palm Beach, Fla.). He could be one of the top wideouts in Florida and his arrival means that Johnson, who will likely be a receiver at Florida State, will return as the starting quarterback. He was the starter for Pahokee in the playoffs last year. WR Fred Pickett and TE Zachary Allen also could be Div. I college prospects. The running game will benefit from the return of OT Antonio Ford.

49. Skyline (Dallas)
Last Season's Record: 12-2, Class 5A, Division I regional finalist
Key Players: LB Corey Nelson; WR Mike Davis; QB Javiar Hall
Outlook: The Raiders have been strong in the Dallas Metroplex for the past several years and are poised to break out for state and national recognition. Nelson and Davis are both legit All-American candidates and headline a group of 11 returning starters. Nelson had 156 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior and recently committed to Texas A&M. The Aggies also will be the future home of Skyline LB Domonique Patterson. Davis caught 58 passes for 1,138 yards and 16 TDs and has committed to LSU. Hall, a player with two years of varsity experience, will lead the offense. For an early indicator of how strong Skyline might be this season, the Sept. 27 game versus Lake Highlands (Dallas) is one to watch. Lake Highlands won last year's game 24-20.

50. Shiloh Christian (Springdale, Ark.)
Last Season's Record: 13-1, Class 4A state champion
Key Players: QB Kiehl Frazier; OL Travis Bodenstein; LB Mitchell Roberts
Outlook: Seventeen starters return for the Saints, who still might be a year away from being major national contenders. Frazier could be one of the top junior signal-callers in the nation, while Bodenstein is a top lineman. WR Jon Hawes and RB Garrett Harper also return as team stat leaders and are both juniors. Roberts leads the defense along with DL Samuel Harvill. Shiloh Christian was the No. 1 overall team in Arkansas a year ago, but its lone loss was a 47-9 blowout to Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.). That was the first game but it did prevent the team from gaining a higher FAB 50 ranking.

Mark Tennis is the deputy sports editor of ESPN RISE. Doug Huff is a senior editor of ESPN RISE.