Memphis area high school football preseason Dandy Dozen teams for 2017

Heading into the 2017 high school football season, we break down the 12 best teams in Memphis, aka, "The Dandy Dozen."

1. Whitehaven

Coach: Rodney Saulsberry (14th season)

Last year: 15-0 (won 6A state championship)

Who's back: DB-ATH Rayshad Williams (Vanderbilt commit); DE Devon Robinson (Mississippi State commit); LB Bryson Eason; LB Martavius French; RB Chris Witherspoon; WR William Jackson; DB Josh Gray; LB-FB Tyler Hunter; OL Joseph Pegues; DB Sean Wilder; TE-WR-LB Cormontae Hamilton; OL-DL Draper Redmond

The lowdown: Thirty-five seniors are gone from last year's championship team, but shed no tears for the Tigers, who are preseason No. 1 for the eighth year in a row. Brighton transfer Marquis Traylor will bolster the linebacker corps while Witherspoon saw plenty of action as Kylan Watkins' back-up last year. Look for him to have a big year along with the two SEC commits, Williams and Robinson. Quarterback Vincent Guy is the 'X-factor.' If he's on point the Tigers will challenge for Cookeville once again.

The schedule: Is there a tougher four-game stretch than the one between Aug. 26 and Sept. 14 when the Tigers face Ridgeway, Cordova, Lausanne and East? Big region games against Central and Germantown are at home while White Station is on the road.

► Related:High school football region-by-region rundown for Memphis area

► Also:Every Memphis high school football schedule in one place

2. Lausanne

Coach: Kevin Locastro (fourth season)

Last year: 14-0 (won Division II-A state championship)

Who's back: RB Eric Gray (Mr. Football winner); LB Nyle Love (Memphis commit); DL Corteze Love; DL Josh Crawford; LB Yusef Thomas

The lowdown: There are a few holes to plug, but there's no reason to think the Lynx won't be contending for another trip to Cookeville. Four of the five offensive linemen return, and there is great speed at the skill positions. Sky Forrest takes over at QB, and if all else fails, he can always hand it to Gray (2,215 yards, 42 total touchdowns as a sophomore).

The schedule: The Lynx didn't even have a team five years ago, and now they'll be battling Whitehaven on Sept. 8. League games against St. George's, Northpoint and USJ are at home while Lausanne travels to Harding, ECS and FACS.

3. Central

Coach: Lynord Crutchfield (seventh season)

Last year: 10-2 (lost to Brentwood in second round of 5A playoffs)

Who's back: DL Trevis Hopper (Mr. Football winner); WR Darrin Turner; DE Eric Gregory; WR Shemar Nash; RB Dontavious Davis; RB Jalen Pearson; OL Karleon Carrick; OL Willie Robinson; QB Chauncey Hopkins

The lowdown: Crutchfield is blessed with some of the best underclassman talent in the state; Hopper, Turner, Gregory and Nash all have multiple FBS offers, and none of them graduates in 2018. There's also terrific depth on the d-line and a pair of 200-pound running backs. Watch out for the Warriors.

The schedule: The highlight of the non-league schedule is a match-up with East at Crump on Sept. 1. Central concludes with region games against Whitehaven, Germantown and White Station, but only the Tigers game is on the road.

4. Memphis University School

Coach: Bobby Alston (20th season)

Last year: 10-1 (lost to Baylor in Division II-AA quarterfinals)

Who's back: QB-S Bobby Wade; WR-DB Maurice Hampton; LB Dorian Hopkins (Mr. Football winner); LB Buchanan Dunavant; LB Matthew Rhodes; DL Joe Carter; OL-DL Marcus Henderson; K Trey Thomas

The lowdown: Defense carried the Owls for much of last year, and while they make take a step back, they'll still be very formidable, especially the linebacker trio. The return of Bays Webb (injured last year) will be a huge boost to the offensive line, and Wade is a playmaker. Thomas set the Shelby County field goal record with 19 last year.

The schedule: A tough opener vs. Ridgeway will be followed by a trip to Orlando to take on Seminole Ridge, followed by Montgomery Bell Academy at home and South Panola on the road. The Owls will host arch-rival CBHS in the regular-season finale on Oct. 27.

5. East

Coach: Marcus Wimberly (12th season)

Last year: 13-2 (won 4A state championship)

Who's back: OL Sean Adams; OL John Wrister; RB-LB Tyrique Barnes; WR-DB Kylan McGhee; QB Justin Lynn

The lowdown: After losing 20 seniors from last year's title-winner, Wimberly is stressing quality over quantity this year. And he has plenty of that, starting with the massive pairing of Adams and Wrister up front. Transfer Keveon Mullins is a terrific playmaker,  and newcomers Ferlandis Norrie and Yuri Carpton could make a big impact.

The schedule: Wimberly always schedules with the postseason in mind, and this year is no different. The Mustangs face Cordova, Trezevant, Central, Melrose, Whitehaven, CBHS and 2016 5A runner-up Independence in their non-region games.

6. Raleigh-Egypt

Coach: Major Wright (fourth season)

Last year: 10-2 (lost to Dyersburg in second round of 3A playoffs)

Who's back: RB Kalynn Grandberry; DE Cedric Henderson; DE Nate Thomas; QB Clifton Tunstall; WR-DB Caleb Gates; WR Julius Hampton; DB Shelton Ward

The lowdown: They'll never forget 2016 in Raleigh as the Pharaohs had their most successful year in school history. And with plenty of experience and terrific speed returning on both sides of the ball, this year's team could be even more successful. A key injury or two will be tough to overcome though.

The schedule: The Pharaohs get a great test Friday as 6A Arlington visits. The final three games against Melrose, Mitchell and Trezevant will be critical region matchups, but Raleigh-Egypt gets the Tigers and Bears at home.

► More:25 questions for the Memphis high school football season

7. Christian Brothers

Coach: Thomas McDaniel (third season)

Last year: 8-4 (lost to Montgomery Bell Academy in Division II-AA quarterfinals)

Who's back: OL Ryan Winkel; OL Nic Cantu; DL Bryce Bush; DL Patrick Healy; DE Bill Norton; LB Zach Hamlet; DB Reau Folk; OL Conner Cremerius; WR Ryan Whittaker

The lowdown: The offensive line is loaded and that's crucial as CBHS will likely need some time for its skill players to round into form. Bush and Healy are starting for the third year on the defensive line, Hamlet had five interceptions, and junior end Norton is a major talent.

The schedule: Very challenging. Missouri power CBC comes to Memphis in Week 2 and East visits on Sept. 22. Two of the three region games — Briarcrest and St. Benedict — will also be at Tom Nix Stadium.

8. Cordova

Coach: Anthony Jones (fifth season)

Last year: 12-2 (lost to Whitehaven in 6A semifinals)

Who's back: OL Jerome Carvin; ATH Jacolby Hewitt; RB Jeremy Banks; QB Christian Arrambide; OL Herman Joseph; LB Jevon Conner; LB Tracy Williams; DB Cailen Jones

The lowdown: Last year's excellent defense took some hits from graduation, but Jones is counting on several newcomers, notably DB Brylan Sullivan and LB Asa Bonner, to fill the gaps. Offensively, the Wolves should be fine. Arrambide in particular should be better after starting some games toward the end of last year.

The schedule: Cordova opens with East and plays Whitehaven in Week 3, but things calm down a lot from there. A road game against Arlington on Oct. 20 could decide the Region 7-6A championship.

9. Briarcrest

Coach: Brian Stewart (fourth season)

Last year: 7-4 (lost to Ensworth in Division II-AA quarterfinals)

Who's back: RB Tyler Badie (Memphis commit); QB Jackson Walker; WR Bradley Ellis; OL Omari Hampton; LB Chase Martin; OL-DL Zach Yates; K Noah Grant

The lowdown: The Saints ought to score plenty of points with Badie, Walker, Ellis and a big offensive line that Stewart has a lot of confidence in. Stopping the other team will be the challenge, and Stewart said a lot of sophomores will have to play. Depth is the coach's biggest concern.

The schedule: The opener against White Station will be tricky but it's at home. They visit Goodpasture the following week and are also on the road for two of the three region games, CBHS and St. Benedict

► More:Memphis high school football opening week will include six super matchups

10. White Station

Coach: Joe Rocconi (fifth season)

Last year: 7-5 (lost to Franklin in second round of the 6A playoffs)

Who's back: RB Greg "Butta" Williams; QB Drew Lyons; OL Ray Curry; WR Cincir Evans; TE Garrett Sapp; OL-DL Jaylin Rainey; OL-DL Adrian Felix; LB Eli Neal

The lowdown: Indiana, Mississippi State and South Carolina have offered Curry, a 6-5, 300-pound sophomore whose play up front will be crucial as White Station develops its skill players. Williams is poised for a breakout year but will the defense be able to stop folks?

The schedule: As usual, the Spartans will be tested early and often. The opener at Briarcrest will be a fun one, and White Station also travels to CBHS, Hernando and Arlington in non-league play. The Oct. 27 finale vs. Central at Crump looms large.

11. Ridgeway

Coach: Duron Sutton (eighth year)

Last year: 9-4 (lost to East in 4A quarterfinals)

Who's back: ATH Kundarrius Taylor (Oklahoma commit); OL Jamal Wince; OL Caleb Jones; RB Cameron Stansbury; DB London White

The lowdown: Graduation took its toll on the Roadrunners, who move up to 5A after two seasons in 4A. Taylor may be the most explosive playmaker in town, and Stansbury should step right into a prime-time role. Ridgeway has question marks, but Sutton's team always comes to play.

The schedule: Brutal. The Roadrunners play MUS (Friday), Whitehaven and Pulaski (Ark.) Academy within the first month, all on the road. The regular-season finale against arch-rival Southwind will have huge playoff implications.

12. Germantown

Coach: Chris Smith (third season)

Last year: 3-8 (lost to Franklin in first round of 6A playoffs)

Who's back: DB-WR Jaylin Williams (Indiana commit); OL Max Martini (Toledo commit); QB Ethan Payne; WR Cameron Baker; LB Ted Lyons; DB Jalon Greer

The lowdown: Year 3 of the Chris Smith era and it's time for the Red Devils to make their move. Williams is an all-state caliber player, and he'll combine with Baker to give the steady Payne plenty of offensive firepower. Lyons is the heart of a defense, which must be better after allowing 30 or more points in seven games last season.

The schedule: It's definitely back-loaded. The Red Devils will have several chances to pile up victories before closing with games against White Station, Central and Whitehaven, the latter two on the road.

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.