East

Favorite: Sheridan

Contenders: Weld Central, Valley

Top players: Tomas Garcia, Denver SS&T, Jr.; Devin Gendreau, Weld Central, Sr.; Yonas Hailu, Denver SS&T, Jr.; Yafet Mengesha, Denver SS&T, So.; Jesus Juarez, Weld Central, Jr.; Cody Schmeling, Weld Central, Jr.

Outlook: Sheridan and Weld Central battled for the league title last year and that should be the case again in 2007. Weld Central brings back seven starters, including senior forward Devin Gendreau and junior midfield Cody Schmeling. Denver SS&T finished with a .500 record last year, a mark it should improve upon this season. The Knights have about half their starters back, including defensive standout Tomas Garcia.

Metro

Favorite: Peak to Peak

Contenders: Colorado Academy, Faith Christian

Top players: Danny Ariniello, Holy Family, Sr.; Greg Borchers, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Ben Borger, Denver Christian, Sr.; Scott Brown (GK), Kent Denver, Sr.; Kyle Carstens, Faith Christian, Sr.; Isaac Cowles, Faith Christian, Sr.; Tyler Corley, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Keaton DeNooy, Denver Christian, Sr.; Alex Gomez, Machebeuf, Jr.; Derrik Hansen, Holy Family, Sr.; Robert Johnson, Middle Park, Jr.; Joseph Lammers, Denver Christian, Sr.; Hayden Loudenslager (GK), Faith Christian, So.; Christian Lucero, Holy Family, Jr.; Mark Paolucci, Machebeuf, Sr.; Alec Peter, Kent Denver, Sr.; Ian Sutton, Middle Park, Sr.; Peter Walker, Kent Denver, Jr.; Charlie Weier (GK), Machebeuf, Sr.; Mike Zieff (GK), Middle Park, Sr.

Outlook: Defending state champion Faith Christian was decimated by graduation, but the Eagles always seem to reload and should remain a factor. Denver Christian reached the title game last year and the Crusaders have the tools to make another run. Peak to Peak, the 2005 state champion, won the league last season but was upended by Denver Christian in the quarterfinals. The Pumas will be especially strong on defense, where Tyler Corley and Greg Borchers do their best to keep foes off the scoreboard. Kent Denver has one of the league’s top keepers in Scott Brown, and the Sun Devils hope to work their way into the postseason. Holy Family brings back four starters on defense, as well as junior keeper Christian Lucero, so the Tigers will be tough to score against. Middle Park has a solid group returning and the Panthers hope to make the postseason. Machebeuf should be strong in back and in the midfield behind defender Mark Paolucci.

North

Favorite: Alexander Dawson

Contenders: Heritage Christian, Lutheran-Parker

Top players: Jesse Morenz, Alexander Dawson, So.; Kolt O’Kelly, Lutheran-Parker, Jr.; Kurt O’Kelly, Lutheran-Parker, Sr.; Wes Kieth, Lutheran-Parker, Sr.; Zach Paul, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; Nick Seeley (GK), Alexander Dawson, Jr.

Outlook: Alexander Dawson has one of the top players in the class in senior midfielder Zach Paul, and he should have the Mustangs battling for the league title. Lutheran-Parker brings back nine starters, including the O’Kelly brothers who tallied 35 goals between them in 2006. Heritage Christian has the smallest enrollment of any team in the league, but the Eagles can put up big win totals.

South

Favorite: The Classical Academy

Contenders: Colorado Springs Christian, Salida

Top players: Aaron Crews (GK), Evangelical Christian, Sr.; DiDlavon, Evangelical Christian, Sr.; Jacob Eunice, Dolores Huerta, Sr.; Joseph Eunice, Dolores Huerta, So.; Jake Fiosi, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; Brady Ford, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; Matt Gibas, Manitou Springs, Sr.; Brandon Giorgetta, Fountain Valley, Sr.; Eric Goldberg, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; James Ilsueh, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Josh Mann, Evangelical Christian, Sr.; Colin McCall, Manitou Springs, Sr.; Rett Rayhill, Fountain Valley, Sr.; Kyle Reynolds, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Evan Snowdan, Manitou Springs, Sr.; Brent Southerland, The Classical Academy, Sr.; John Torres, Dolores Huerta, So.; Ace Van Esselstine, Fountain Valley, Sr.

Outlook: The Classical Academy reached the quarterfinals last year, and the Titans return a good portion of that squad. They should be solid in the midfield, and Kyle Reynolds will anchor the defense. Colorado Springs Christian will push the Titans behind a stingy defense secured by Eric Goldberg and Jake Fiosi. Rett Rayhill scored a school record 16 goals last season for Fountain Valley and he will key the Danes attack again this year. Manitou Springs has 16 seniors, so the Mustangs will be experienced and deep. If the defense comes around they could be a factor. Evangelical Christian returns nine starters and hopes to break .500 and get into the playoffs. Dolores Huerta will be strong up top and could make a charge.

Southwest

Favorite: Pagosa Springs

Contenders: Crested Butte, Telluride

Top players: Kevin Blue, Pagosa Springs, Sr.; Mike Schmidt (GK), Pagosa Springs, Sr.; Ryan Searle, Pagosa Springs, So.

Outlook: Pagosa Springs coach Lindsey Kurt-Mason is excited about his squad, especially its prospects in the net where he said he has five players capable of seeing time. One of those players, senior Mike Schmidt, also will see action at forward. Crested Butte made the state tournament last year and the Titans will remain strong, as will Telluride. It should be a three-team race for the top spot.

West

Favorite: Basalt

Contenders: Aspen, Coal Ridge

Top players: Darwin Cortez, Coal Ridge, Jr.; Murphy Frywald, Aspen, Jr.; Wylie Maples, Aspen, Sr.; Arrick Peck, Coal Ridge, Jr.; J.J. Riddle, Coal Ridge, Jr.

Outlook: Aspen made a remarkable run to get to the semifinals last year, but the Skiers will have to reload after losing a great senior class. Still, they should remain in the hunt with Wylie Maples and Murphy Frywald leading the way. Basalt made the quarterfinals but also lost a good group of players to graduation. Second-year Coal Ridge brings back 11 starters, so the Titans believe they can be a factor in the race for the playoffs.

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