TOP STORY: In sizing up the SIMA FAB 50 preseason rankings for fall-playing states, the following factors weigh heavily: quality of players and quality of schedule.

With this year's preseason No. 1 teams, it's easy to put checkmarks in both categories.

St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.), led by its leading scorer returning and a Monmouth commit in the midfield, gets the nod for No. 1 among the boys programs. McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.) and Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.) also made strong claims for the top spot. It basically boiled down to if each team went perfect, who would have the strongest case, and that rests with St. Benedict's. The defending SIMA FAB 50 champions are playing teams from eight states, and with a lineup featuring several likely NCAA Division I recruits, it will be hard to argue against this team for No. 1 if the Gray Bees can post a perfect record. Of course, any blemish will turn the top spot over to another team. McDonogh, whose players have a proven track record with multiple US Youth Soccer national titles, could make a run at a second SIMA FAB 50 crown in three years. Jesuit, playing what might be its last season as a fall-playing program, faces teams from three states and also could make a serious run at the top spot.

On the girls side, 1-2-3 start in an order that soon will be resolved on the field. Maria Carrillo (Santa Rosa, Calif.) begins the season with a 72-match undefeated streak and a SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 preseason ranking. The Pumas will face No. 2 Immaculate Heart Academy (Township of Washington, N.J.) on Sept. 4. Just a few weeks later, Immaculate Heart Academy will take on No. 3 McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.). Sitting at the No. 4 spot -- and primed for a move toward No. 1 -- is Ohio's three-time defending state champion, Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio). Walsh's lack of out-of-state opponents keeps this team on the outside of the No. 1 race until the top three teams hash it out on the field in September.

It should be noted, the SIMA FAB 50 preseason rankings are compiled in July, long before most teams assemble for preseason practice. Hundreds of coaches and media members provide information that shape the preseason rankings. Teams are rated based on the expected returning talent. As is common, one or two key players opting out of high school soccer could drastically change the expectations and fortunes of a team. Also, there are sure to be surprise teams entering the rankings who benefit from players returning to the high school game from club soccer.

Thanks to several key events, the rankings should take solid form by early October. 

In addition to the major clashes in the East in September for girls soccer, the Lady Eagle Invitational in Zionsville, Ind., on Sept. 4-5 will feature several of the top programs from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. 

On the boys side, the Gateway City Soccer Classic in the St. Louis area the first weekend of October will sort out the contenders. The multi-bracketed competition will feature many of the top Midwest teams, in addition to Pingry School (Martinsville, N.J.) making a rare out-of-state performance at the event.

Starting the week of Aug. 24, TopDrawerSoccer will release its state, region and FAB 50 rankings every week through the fall season. The state and region rankings are released Monday, with the SIMA FAB 50 released each Tuesday.

See the entire FALL HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS:

SIMA FAB 50 RANKINGS: BOYS (Preseason) | GIRLS (Preseason)

FALL REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (Preseason) | GIRLS (Preseason)

FALL STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (Preseason) | GIRLS (Preseason)