With the high school football season about to swing into full gear, it’s time to take a look at the teams projected to be the best in the area.

From now through Thursday, we’ll count down the top five teams in The Baltimore Sun’s official top 15 preseason poll.

The entire poll — along with the full season preview — will be published Thursday in The Baltimore Sun and on baltimoresun.com

Today we start with a look at our No. 5 team in the area, reigning Class 1A state champion Dunbar.

5. Dunbar

Coach: Lawrence Smith.

Last season: 13-1, No. 12.

Postseason: Class 1A state champion.

Outlook: The Poets won their fifth state title in seven years last fall with a young team, and 17 returning starters should set the stage for another title run as well as bid for the Baltimore City championship.

The defense, which returns a stellar corps of linebackers, shut out six teams and allowed only 47 points in winning its final 12 games. The Poets rallied from 12 points down to beat Havre de Grace for the Class 1A title, 22-12. It was their 11th straight victory. One of the most successful teams in recent state championship history, the Poets have won seven titles since 1994.

This season, with 17 starters returning, experience could make all the difference. The Poets struggled with inexperience at times on offense last year and made too many turnovers at critical moments — including four times in the first half of the state championships — but they made up for it.

The defense returns top-caliber linebackers in Ernest Hawkins and Lavar Highsmith and a stellar cornerback in Terrence Williams. They also have All-Metro free safety back DeonTay McManus, one of the area’s top recruits.

McManus, however, is headed to West Virginia as a receiver and with quarterback Kevin Estep having another of experience and getting some competition for the position, the Poets should be able to make better us of McManus’ considerable talents on the offensive side.

The Poets likely will do battle with Poly for the Baltimore City championship and will make a strong run at another state crown.

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