By Jon Mahoney, Special to SI.com, Rise
Top team: O'Gorman (Sioux Falls) The Knights are the two-time defending Class 11AA state champs.
Top player: Jake Steffen (6-4, 210), Sr., QB-LB, Stickney-Mount Vernon
Top team: Maryville Maryville won its fifth Class 4A state title in six years last season. Seniors Tyler Maples (WR-DB), Adrian Baker (RB) and Dwight Wood (DL) make it the favorite to repeat.
Top player: Chris Donald (6-3, 220), Sr., LB-RB, Huntingdon
Top team: Southlake Carroll Juniors Riley Dodge (QB) and Tre' Newton (RB) look to lead the Dragons to their fourth state title in five years.
Top player: Tray Allen (6-4, 305), OL, South Grand Prairie
Top team: Bingham (South Jordan) Senior wide receiver-defensive back Jordan Pendleton, who has committed to BYU, is one of 12 returning starters.
Top player: Simi Fili (6-4, 315), DL, Cottonwood (Salt Lake City)
Top team: Mount St. Joseph (Rutland) The Mounties, who won the Division I state championship last year, have a strong defense led by senior linebacker Luke Steinke.
Top player: Steinke (6-0, 205)
Top team: Hampton Good luck trying to stop senior Tyrod Taylor, who's one of the nation's best dual-threat quarterbacks and led the Crabbers to the Group AAA Division 5 state title last year.
Top player: Taylor (6-2, 195)
Top team: Kennedy (Burien) Kennedy lost in the Class 3A state semifinals last season, but brings back a stud in senior running back-defensive back Nate Williams.
Top player: Chris Izbicki (6-4, 240), Sr., TE, Lake Washington (Kirkland)
Top team: Morgantown Senior quarterback Charlie Russell, who has committed to West Virginia, led Morgantown to the Class AAA state title last year.
Top player: Russell (6-3, 215)
Top team: Park (Racine) The Panthers have a good chance at defending their Division 1 crown thanks to the return of senior running back John Clay, who rushed for 2,032 and 30 touchdowns last year on just 166 carries.
Top player: Clay (6-2, 220)
Top team: Cheyenne East The Class 5A state runner-up features an explosive offense behind seniors Sean Barr (RB), Billy McHenry (QB) and James Johnson (WR) and a stout defense led by senior linebackers Justin McCurdy and Brian Guthrie and junior defensive back Alex Stratton.
Top player: Clayton Kirven (6-7, 265), Sr., OL, Buffalo
