Class 5 Top Ten - #1 Highland Springs

Throughout the month of August, VirginiaPreps.com will begin previewing the upcoming 2018 High School Football season. As part of our comprehensive coverage, we will be counting down the Top Ten Rankings for each classification.

What to Know: Since becoming the Head Coach of the Springers in 2008, Loren Johnson has elevated Highland Springs to new heights. They've won no fewer than seven games in any season, going 14-1 each of the past three years on their way to State Championships. A four-peat looks to be in the cards this year, and with an abundance of talent, their 2018 run could very well conclude with an undefeated record. One can only marvel at what the Springers did last year, having to replace 31 seniors from the 2016 team - 22 that signed to play at FBS or FCS programs - and still win their final 14 games by an average of more than 23 points.

D'Vonte Waller (6-1, 171) blossomed as a first-year starting quarterback during his junior campaign, going from having to win the job to throwing for over 2700 yards and 26 touchdowns on a title winning team. There will be no shortage of weapons at his disposal with Hermitage transfer Ali Jennings (6-2, 185) leading a deep receiving corps that also features fellow seniors Jai'Veon Smalls (6-1, 170) and Antwane Wells Jr. (6-1, 180). With offers from several Power 5 schools, Jennings caught 47 passes for 709 passes for 13TD's last season.

Smalls is a big-play threat, hauling in 34 balls for 543 yards and 4TD's as a junior with three of those scores going for 60 yards or longer. In the backfield, the Springers have plenty of depth and talent as well with seniors Shy'Re McKeiver (5-9, 180), Rayquan 'Rabbit' Smith (5-9, 190) and Ahman Foster-Powell (5-11, 200), plus junior Kalii Bradford (5-10, 175). Smith and McKeiver combined for 1305 yards and 10TD's on the ground last season. Four of five offensive line starters return with juniors Suirad Ware (6-2, 275), Evan Robinson (6-1, 270) and D'Onte Griggs (6-0, 225) along with senior DeAndre Owens (6-2, 280).

Even as successful as the Springers were in 2017, the offense put up just over 33 points per game, but this year's group should be closer to the 40 points a contest that they posted during both the '15 and '16 campaigns. Not only do they return considerable experience and leadership on the offensive side of the ball, they bring back nine starters on defense. One could make the case that, barring any injuries, this will be the stingiest defense during the Johnson era.

Ware Robinson team with senior DE Keeron Henderson (6-2, 225) and sophomore Kelvin Gilliam (6-3, 245) on the defensive line. Henderson had 25 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as a junior. On the second level of the defense, senior linebackers Christian White (6-0, 193) and Jason Jones Jr. (6-3, 210) both will be playing on Saturday this time next year. White was a 1st Team All-State performer last season. They'll be joined by junior D.J. Goodwyn (5-11, 185).

In the secondary, four starters return in seniors Eddie Davis (5-8, 155) and Tremayne Talbert (5-9, 175) as well as juniors Malcolm Greene (5-11, 183) and David Laney (6-2, 180), the backup quarterback. Greene holds upwards of 15 offers with Clemson, Duke and Virginia Tech among others. Getting Talbert back from injury will be a big deal also as he missed most of the latest playoff run, yet made seven interceptions and returned three kicks/punts for scores prior to going down.

There won't be too many teams that will stay within striking distance with Highland Springs on the regular season schedule. Those that could potentially play them tight are Woodside (Aug. 31), at Henrico (Sept. 28) and at Varina (Nov. 2). But if the Springers bring their A-game, it'll be hard for anyone to hang with them.

Other Class 5 Top Ten Previews:

#2 - Stone Bridge Bulldogs - Read More Here

#3 - Broad Run Spartans - Read More Here

#4 - Indian River Braves - Read More Here

#5 - Tuscarora Huskies - Read More Here

#6 - Massaponax Panthers - Read More Here

#7 - North Stafford Wolverines - Read More Here

#8 - Henrico Warriors - Read More Here

#9 - Nansemond River Warriors - Read More Here

#10 - Salem Sun Devils - Read More Here

Final Class 5 Rankings for 2017:

#1 - Highland Springs (14-1)

#2 - Tuscarora (12-3)

#3 - Stone Bridge (12-1)

#4 - Hermitage (11-2)

#5 - Broad Run (10-2)

#6 - Stafford (10-4)

#7 - Nansemond River (9-5)

#8 - Brooke Point (10-3)

#9 - North Stafford (8-4)

#10 - Indian River (8-4)

Matthew Hatfield serves as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a regular contributor to the ACC Sports Journal. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him every Saturday at 10 AM to Noon on ESPN Radio 94.1.