Class 4A boys soccer league outlooks

Colorado Springs Metro

Favorite: Liberty

Contender: Cheyenne Mountain

Top players: Kevin Barthe (GK), Liberty, Sr.; Michael Correll (GK), Woodland Park, Sr.; David Enger, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; David Gillie, Woodland Park, Sr.; Hunter Huffman (GK), Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Andrew Leigh, Woodland Park, Sr.; Scott Lillibridge, Liberty, Sr.; Owen McCarthy, Liberty, Sr.; Jabari Valinar, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Kyle Woodson, Liberty, Sr.

Outlook: Defending state champion Liberty has won this league for eight consecutive seasons, so until someone unseats them they remain the team to beat. The Lancers, who have won two of the past three state titles and five overall, return a talented group, including all-state sweeper Scott Lillibridge. Cheyenne Mountain brings back seven starters from its semifinal team, meaning the Indians should push for the league crown. Hunter Huffman could be the top keeper in 4A, and Jabari Velinor is a huge threat on offense. Woodland Park brings back seven starters and should improve on its win total.

Denver Prep

Favorite: Lincoln

Contenders: Denver South, Thomas Jefferson

Top players: Evans Afrie, Denver South, Sr.; Wes Cordes, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; Andy Goellner (GK), Denver South, Sr.; Jon Lobato, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; Thomas Mahoney, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; Ebenezer Yebuah, Denver South, Sr.

Outlook: Despite a lot of turmoil off the field last season, Lincoln showed the talent and skill to be a top team. If they can avoid distractions this season, the Lancers could make a run at a top finish in state. Former Kennedy and George Washington coach Pat Dowling takes over at Denver South. He has a Rebels team that could contend for a top spot in the league and a playoff berth. Senior keeper Andy Goellner is getting looks from colleges on the east coast and could eventually play for a Division I or Division II program. Evans Afrie will pace the offensive attack, while Ebenezer Yebuah anchors the defense in front of Goellner. Thomas Jefferson should battle for a top spot, and the Spartans will be strong in the midfield (Wes Cordes) and in back with Thomas Mahoney and Jon Lobato.

Jefferson County

Favorite: Golden

Contender: Ralston Valley

Top players: James Martinez, Golden, Sr.; Justin McCarthy, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Leon Ramirez, Ralston Valley, Jr.; Jonny Rabadan, Golden, Sr.; Cullen Siewert, Golden, Sr.; Connor Stokes, Golden, Sr.

Outlook: Golden has developed into Jeffco’s best team, and the Demons should remain on top. They lost only three players from last year’s state semifinal team and could make a serious run at winning it all this year. Ralston Valley believes it can challenge for a top finish and make its way back to the playoffs. Conifer and D’Evelyn also should be in the mix and could jump up and make a run at the league crown.

Northern

Favorite: Greeley Central

Contenders: Broomfield, Fossil Ridge

Top players: Jeff Allen (GK), Greeley Central, Sr.; Michael Berry, Fossil Ridge, Sr.; Travis Boccard, Broomfield, Sr.; Ben Buhler, Greeley Central, Sr.; Richie Fiscus (GK), Fossil Ridge, Sr.; Dylan Meda, Fossil Ridge, Jr.; Ever Preito, Greeley Central, Sr.; Salvador Raya, Greeley Central, Sr.; Kyle Reddy, Broomfield, Sr.; Ben Sabados, Broomfield, Sr.; Morgan Sacco, Greeley Central, Sr.; Nathan Seitz, Broomfield, Sr.;

Outlook: The Northern is the deepest and most talented contingent in the class, and the race to get a playoff spot will be brutal. Greeley Central enters ranked No. 1, as the Wildcats bring back three all-state players and nine starters from a state quarterfinal team. Broomfield has played in the past two state championship games, winning it all in 2005; the Eagles have the talent to get there again. Kyle Reddy and Travis Boccard will put pressure up top, while Nathan Seitz and keeper Ben Sabados will look to keep opponents off the board. Fossil Ridge is a team on the rise and this might be the year when the Sabercats become a major player on the state stage. Michael Berry paces the offense while keeper Richie Fiscus is solid in back.

South Central

Favorite: Pueblo Centennial

Contenders: Pueblo West, Canon City

Top players: Tony Arveschoug, Pueblo Centennial, Sr.; Tony Garcia, Pueblo Centennial, Sr.; Matt Karn, Pueblo Centennial, Sr.; Marcus Miera, Pueblo Centennial, Sr.; Jeff Wrona, Pueblo Centennial, Sr.

Outlook: This league has been dominated by Pueblo Centennial, which has won six consecutive league conference titles and has gone 79-2-3 in the past 84 league games. The Bulldogs bring back 10 starters from their quarterfinal team, and they were further bolstered when three players transferred from Pueblo South, including SCL player of the year Marcus Miera. Pueblo Centennial is a threat to win it all this season.

Skyline

Favorite: Mullen in the postseason; Mountain Range during the regular season.

Contenders: Centaurus, Cherokee Trail

Top players: Rolando Aguiar, Ranum, Sr.; Scott Branson, Rock Canyon, Jr.; Isaac Caughran, Mullen, Sr.; Bruno Guerrero, Prairie View, Jr.; Hugo Gutierrez, Ranum, Sr.; Ryne Hammons, Rock Canyon, Sr.; Craig Hhesmann, Skyview, Sr.; Todd Karl, Prairie View, Jr.; Daniel Marchetti, Cherokee Trail, Jr.; Luis Mauricio, Prairie View, Jr.; Andrew Mejia, Mullen, Sr.; Sean O’Connor, Mullen, Sr.; Ronald Perez, Skyview, Jr.; Jared Roberts, Mullen, So.; Oscar Salazar, Skyview, Sr.; Michael Sandoval, Cherokee Trail, Jr.; Alex Tarnozzi, Rock Canyon, Jr.; Doug Willis, Cherokee Trail, So.

Outlook: Mullen (Centennial) and Rock Canyon (Continental) both play in a Class 5A league during the regular season before dropping down for the playoffs. Mullen always is a threat to go deep in the playoffs and this season is no different. Cherokee Trail, another second-year school, should be a factor and has a solid midfield featuring Doug Willis and Daniel Marchetti. Ranum lost 10 seniors to graduation but the Raiders are looking to make their fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs behind senior keeper Hugo Gutierrez. Skyview improved greatly last year and the Wolverines should remain on the rise. Prairie View still is looking for its first win.

Western Slope

Favorite: Battle Mountain

Contenders: Montrose, Glenwood Springs

Top players: Micah Conrads (GK), Montezuma-Cortez, Jr.; Garrett Greer, Montezuma-Cortez, Sr.; Jose Molinn, Battle Mountain, So.; Kyle Ruckman, Montezuma-Cortez, Sr.; Rudy Solis, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Connor Tedstrom, Battle Mountain, Sr.

Outlook: Battle Mountain reached the quarterfinals last season, and the Huskies should remain a top team. They have a good 1-2 punch returning on offense in Rudy Solis (eight goals, six assists) and Jose Molinn (seven goals, three assists). Montezuma-Cortez is rebuilding its midfield this year, but the Panthers will be solid in the net with Micah Conrads and up front with Garrett Greer (13 goals) and Kyle Ruckman (eight assists).

Back to Top