High school football: Top 15 poll

1.McDonoghCoach: Dom DamicoLast season: 6-3, No. 2Outlook: With a dozen starters returning including a handful of the state's best players, the Eagles were already favored to win the MIAA A Conference before they added four-star quarterback and Virginia Tech commit Dejuan Ellis, from Bishop O'Connell in Virginia. Last season, they tied Archbishop Spalding and Mount St. Joseph for second place behind Gilman. Their two conference losses came by a total of 10 points. The Eagles, however must stay healthy. With only about 35 players, they cannot afford injuries.2. Archbishop SpaldingCoach: Kyle SchmittLast season: 8-3, No. 4Outlook: Although they're young, the Cavaliers have a core of veteran starters back, led by dual-threat quarterback Evan Fochtman, who scored 34 touchdowns last season. Adding to 11 returning starters are several players who saw considerable action as reserves. If their promising athletic juniors and sophomores fill in all the gaps, the Cavaliers should continue their climb. After turning around a 3-8 season in 2014, they now have all the tools to contend for the A Conference title.3. BroadneckCoach: Rob HarrisLast season: 10-3, No. 5Postseason: Class 4A state semifinalistOutlook: The Bruins return the most proven talent for a strong run in what is shaping up to be a competitive Anne Arundel County race. They upset county champion previously-unbeaten Old Mill in the regional final last year and, despite graduating 28, bring back strong skill players and an especially solid defensive front seven. They will, however, have a young quarterback -- Shane Davis replaces big brother Emmett Davis – and need to replace their kicker and punter.4. Mount Saint JosephCoach: Rich HolzerLast season: 8-3, No. 8Outlook: Just two years removed from a one-win A Conference season, the Gaels tied for second in the A Conference last season and they should contend again with a largely new cast that adds size and speed to both sides of the ball. With new starting quarterback Christian Carter's strong arm, the Gaels aim to air it out more. They have a fleet of young players, some off the A Conference championship track team, to fill their losses at receiver and bolster the secondary.5. Old MillCoach: Chad McCormickLast season: 11-1, No. 6Postseason: Class 4A East region finalistOutlook: The Patriots rolled through Anne Arundel County, winning by an average of 39.1 points, but Broadneck upset them 7-0 in the regional title game. Despite graduating nearly 30 players, they bring back a foundation of strong veterans. Their line won't be as imposing as last season and they'll have a new quarterback, but the Patriots should be right in the county mix and take aim at reclaiming the regional title they won in 2014.6. HowardCoach: Bruce StrunkLast season: 13-1, No. 3Postseason: Class 4A state finalistOutlook: The Lions have gone undefeated through the regular season twice in a row, reaching the state semifinals two years ago and the title game last year for the first time since 1975. They graduated just 14 players but that includes their quarterback, running back and part of the line. The Lions have numbers and talent but they also have a lot of inexperience. Still if they stay healthy, they could be back in the state title hunt.7. GilmanCoach: Tim Holley Jr.Last season: 10-1, No. 1Outlook: The defending A Conference champion reached a national ranking as high as No. 12 last season, but new coach Holley takes over a team that sustained huge losses to graduation and transfer. The Greyhounds won't beat teams by an average of 33 points again, but they have plenty of talent to remain in the conference hunt.8. Calvert HallCoach: Donald DavisLast season: 5-6, not rankedOutlook: The Cardinals allowed about 15 points a game more than they scored last season, but with a talented, seasoned team, that shouldn't happen this season. With some of their top players at linebacker and defensive back, they should be one of the stingiest teams around and an A Conference contender..9. DunbarCoach: Lawrence SmithLast season: 9-3, No. 11Postseason: Class 2A state finalistOutlook: The Poets 17th appearance in the final four ended in a 17-8 loss to eventual state champion Patuxent, but they have the tools to get back there and contend for their 10th state title. They return a solid contingent and add a key component in quarterback Jarrett Lewis, a transfer from St. Frances.10. St. FrancesCoach: Henry RussellLast season: 1-9, not rankedOutlook: The Panthers are the wild card in the A Conference race. With Russell and much of the rest of Gilman's coaching staff taking over, they also have a lot of talent. Eighteen players return and there are tons of transfers. If they come together and develop chemistry, the Panthers could rise quickly.11. DundalkCoach: Sean SandoraLast season: 12-2, No. 9Postseason: Class 3A state finalistOutlook: The Owls reached the state final for the first time in school history and return their leader, senior quarterback Darrius Sample, who scored a school-record 42 touchdowns. They graduated most of their other skill players but have reserves with experience as well as promising newcomers to fill in.12. FranklinCoach: Anthony BurgosLast season: 10-2, No. 10Postseason: Class 3A North regional finalistOutlook: The Indians won state titles in 2103 and 2014 but last year fell in the regional final to Dundalk. While they return five veterans on defense, they return no offensive starters after losing senior running back Sam Botchway to an ankle injury. Key reserves and newcomers should keep them in contention.13. South CarrollCoach: Steve LuetteLast season: 10-2, No. 12Postseason: Class 2A West regional finalistOutlook: The Cavaliers, who have made the playoffs seven straight times, barely missed the state semifinals last season, falling to Walkersville 17-14 in the regionals. They have some rebuilding to do but return key skill players led by senior quarterback AJ Linn and junior running back/receiver Jamar Williams.14. AnnapolisCoach: Nick Good-MolloyLast season: 8-3, No. 13Postseason: Class 4A East regional semifinalistOutlook: In one of the toughest regions in the state, the Panthers earned a playoff berth for the first time since 2009 thanks in large part to their first win over Arundel in 10 years. They have considerable rebuilding to do on defense, but they should score points with six starters back on offense.15. ArundelCoach: Chuck MarkiewiczLast season: 7-3, No. 15Postseason: NoneOutlook: The Wildcats missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2002, but they have plenty of young talent to contend for a return trip. Just three starters return on each side of the ball but the Wildcats won seven games by big margins so a lot of players have game experience.Other teams considered: Archbishop Curley (6-4), Bel Air (9-2), Edmondson (9-3), John Carroll (12-0), Loyola Blakefield (5-6), Milford Mill (4-6), Oakland Mills (8-3), St. Vincent Pallotti (5-6), Reservoir (9-4).

High school football: Top 15 poll

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