Hendricken Football earns top spot in MaxPreps Preseason Rankings

MaxPreps recently released their 2016 Rhode Island Fab Five rankings for high school football, presented by Army National Guard. Hendricken dominated the number one spot and led the way after winning the last six Rhode Island state championships which included last year’s 24-20 win over rival La Salle Academy at Cranston Stadium. The Hawks have a 65-6 record record in their six consecutive state title winning seasons.

Hendricken is ranked an impressive 136th nationally by MaxPreps and top rival La Salle is ranked 1,293rd.

Head coach Keith Croft ’95 is in his 10th season at the helm and has a career record of 90-17. Croft is in the midst of a 15-game winning streak and he will look to guide Hendricken to a seventh consecutive title this season.

Senior captain Chris Hindle returns at quarterback for the Hawks. The Bryant Bulldog commit threw for 1,044 yards last season, which ranked fourth in Division I. Boston College commit and fellow captain Kwity Paye will be called upon to be key contributor on both sides of the ball. Paye recorded 5.5 sacks and registered 68 tackles a season ago at defensive end. The 2015 all-state selection also was a part-time running back last year and rushed for eight touchdowns.

Rounding out the Fab Five rankings are:

2) La Salle Academy

3) South Kingstown

4) Moses Brown

5) Portsmouth

The Hawks posted a 19-0 shutout victory over Moses Brown in an non-league Injury Fund tournament last Friday, at Cranston Stadium.

Hendricken hosts Connecticut power, Notre Dame High School tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. in a non-league matchup at Feerick Field at Hayden Stadium.

To read the full story about the Rhode Island High School Fab Five rankings from MaxPreps.com, please click here.