Throughout the month of August, VirginiaPreps.com will begin previewing the upcoming 2017 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: With more than 800 wins all-time, the Crabbers are the gold standard in Virginia High School League Football. Hampton has made it to the playoffs 39 times in the past 40 years and nobody has more victories in VHSL history than Head Coach Mike Smith, who brings a career record of 474-84-2 into his 47th season at the helm of the crew on West Queen Street. His 12 state titles are also a state record that won't be broken anytime soon, maybe ever.

As profound and rich as Hampton’s pedigree on the gridiron is, it has been a long time for them since they last hoisted a Championship, 2005 to be exact. Several key players from last year's 11-2 team must be replaced, most notably a guy that scored 35 touchdowns in UNC recruit Dazz Newsome, Florida recruit Elijah Conliffe in the trenches as well as linemen stalwarts Justin Redd and Jalen Powell (both now at Norfolk State). Yet, the Crabbers boast a blend of returnees and new faces to count on that could have them quite dangerous come November.

Back at quarterback will be Cam Stevenson, a capable passer and runner in spite of his tiny stature (5-6, 150), plus a willing tackler when he lines up at corner. Two-way seniors Johnny Gaskins and Jaquarious Bellamy, both of whom intercepted a pass in the 44-0 shutout of Phoebus a year ago, are back to patrol the secondary and catch passes from Stevenson.

First Team All-Conference linebacker Juanya Majette returns as the backbone of the defense. Senior Tyrique Coleman and junior Isaac Barrow will be key figures up front on the line, while a couple of newcomers in senior RB/ATH Javon Rodriquez (formerly of Bethel) and junior FS/WR Elijah Mitchell (from Tabb) should help fill voids left through graduation at the skill positions.

Final 5A Rankings for 2016:

#1 - Highland Springs (14-1)

#2 - Stone Bridge (12-3)

#3 - Massaponax (12-2)

#4 - Norview (11-3)

#5 - L.C. Bird (11-2)

#6 - Hampton (11-2)

#7 - Hermitage (10-2)

#8 - Brooke Point (11-2)

#9 - Potomac Falls (10-3)

#10 - Broad Run (9-3)

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