MaxPreps 2012 North Dakota Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
1. Bismarck
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Mark Gibson
Team preview
Winners of three state championships over the past four seasons, including a 21-3 victory over rival Century (Bismarck) last year, the Demons start the season as the favorite to win the Class AAA division. Not only do the Demons return all-conference quarterback Cade Cannon (6-foot-5, 205 pounds), but his backfield mate Layne Johs (5-11, 200) is also back from a squad that went 11-1. Johs came up big in last year's state final, rushing for 193 yards and two touchdowns. He had 1,367 yards and 29 touchdowns during the season while Cannon threw for 2,473 yards and 26 scores, Cannon also ran for 1,001 yards and 17 scores. Jake Neubauer (6-0, 245), an all-conference lineman, will lead Bismarck in the trenches. The defense will benefit from the return of linebacker Riley Plant (5-10, 195) and defensive back Josh Seibel (5-10, 160). The Demons also have one of the state's top return specialists in Brett Adam (5-10, 165). Bismarck has played in 23 state championship games, winning a total of 10. You can find Bismarck three times on the list of North Dakota state football champions for the past 10 years.
2. Century (Bismarck)
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Ron Wingenbach
Team preview
If not for the Bismarck Demons, Century would have gone undefeated last season. The Patriots suffered a 27-19 loss during the conference season and fell to Bismarck 21-3 in the Class AAA state final. Century has tied for the league title the past two seasons, but it has never won a state championship, reaching the title game just twice in school history. That could change this year with the return of the All-Conference combination of quarterback Jared Fischer and receiver Drew Wiseman. Fischer threw for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns last year while Wiseman caught 37 passes for 564 yards and eight touchdowns. Ben Kraft also returns at running back after rushing for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jacob Loraas (6-0, 185) heads the defense at linebacker while Wiseman and All-Conference pick Deion Volk (5-7, 165) lead the secondary. Century ranked sixth in the June, 2011 Top 10 North Dakota football dynasties list.
3. Mandan
2011 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Pat O'Brien
Team preview
The only team to beat Bismarck last year, Mandan lost to Century in AAA West play and fell to Bismarck 32-30 in the Class AAA semifinals. Mandan, Century and Bismarck all finished in a three-way tie for first place. The Braves were a senior-dominated group in 2011, led by Gatorade State Player of the Year Devin Coyle. However, Conference Coach of the Year Pat O'Brien returns All-Conference linebacker Tyler Sadowsky (5-8, 170) along with defensive back Nathan Schmidt and lineman Brady Zittleman. Search for Mandan players in the 2012 North Dakota All-Region Football Teams list.
4. Stanley/Powers Lake (Stanley)
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Lyne Enget
Team preview
The Bluejays went undefeated last year, beating Linton/Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock 42-6 in the Class A championship game. Coach Lyne Enget will look to find a new quarterback this year. The 20-year veteran coach returns a pair of standout receivers, including his son Kale Enget, an All-State player, and All-Conference selection Seth Meyer. Stanley/Powers Lake also returns a pair of All-Conference linemen in Braeden Farhart and Levi Hoiby (junior). The Bluejays won their third state championship last year and are tied for the longest current winning streak in the state at 12 straight.
5. Grafton/St. Thomas (Grafton)
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Tom Maus
Team preview
The Spoilers join Stanley/Powers Lake with the longest winning streak in the state at 12 in a row after winning the Class AA state title, 22-8 over Shanley (Fargo). Coach Tom Maus will have to replace most of his skill players as quarterback Jake Hanson (1,687 yards) and running back Zach Burns (15 rushing touchdowns) are gone. The line should be strong with All-Conference picks Jaime Villareal and Zach Peterson returning. Christian Lunde returns at linebacker to lead the defense.