Class 5A boys soccer league outlooks

Centennial

Favorite: Grandview

Contenders: Cherry Creek, Smoky Hill

Top players: John LaCouture, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Aaron de la Cruz, Fairview, So.; Rafi Fratkin, Fairview, Sr.; Kenji Goldman, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Cameron Gorsevski, Grandview, Sr.; Alex Greenman, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Matt Hammett, Smoky Hill, Jr.; Adam Hinkleman, Boulder, Jr.; Jens Jorgenson, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Devin Koh (GK), Boulder, Jr.; Joe Lomso, Grandview, Sr.; Lance Patterson, Grandview, Sr.; Wes Post, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Culyer Prichard, Eaglecrest, Jr.; Tony Rosales, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Hammie Session, Eaglecrest, So.; Brian Sherpe, Grandview, Sr.; Tim Smith, Boulder, Sr.; Neil Thompson, Fairview, Sr.

Outlook: The Centennial is as good as any league in the state and it’s an accomplishment merely to survive it and qualify for the postseason. Defending state champion Smoky Hill has to replace graduated Miguel Rosales, one of the top goal keepers to come out of Colorado, but the Buffaloes have enough talent to remain a factor. Rosales’ younger brother Tony teams up with Matt Hammett in a pretty good midfield. Grandview brings back a ton of talent and should make a serious charge at winning it all. The Wolves will be tough to score upon with 6-foot-5 Lance Patterson patrolling the back and Brian Sherpe in the net. Cherry Creek brings back seven starters, including dangerous scorer Alex Greeman, and the Bruins should remain strong. Eaglecrest has a solid group returning and could challenge for the final playoff spot. Boulder brings back nine starters and will push for a playoff berth.

Colorado Springs Metro

Favorite: Palmer

Contenders: Air Academy, Lewis-Palmer

Top players: Alex Dosch, Coronado, Sr.; Brendan Fetter, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Alex Garvert, Coronado, Sr.; Matt Johnson, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; Steve Jones, Air Academy, Sr.; Jason Lemmon, Coronado, So.; Shaun Meenan, Palmer, Jr.; Jacob Reasland, Mitchell, So.; Edgar Rodriguez, Mitchell, Sr.; Daniel Whittle, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.

Outlook: This league could be very competitive at the top this season. Palmer will be strong in the midfield and the Terrors get the early nod. Air Academy is hot on their heels, with a young and hungry team. Pine Creek lost a talented senior class but should remain in the mix. Coronado will get defensive in its playoff push, as the Cougars are solid in back with Alex Garvert and Alex Dosch. Mitchell might be a year or two away from seriously contending as the Marauders feature a talented freshman class.

Continental

Favorite: Arapahoe

Contenders: Heritage, Ponderosa, Rangeview

Top players: Davey Armstrong, Rangeview, So.; Blaine Barnes, Heritage, Sr.; Drew Beckie, Arapahoe, Sr.; Devon Bell, Regis, Sr.; Jr.; Josh Euell (GK), Rangeview, Jr.; Johnny Ikard, Heritage, Jr.; Orry Kappus, Douglas County, Sr.; Chris Klebeiko, Ponderosa, Jr.; John Lamb, Heritage, Sr.; Adrian Lockett, Rangeview, Jr.; Andrew Love, Ponderosa, Jr.; Joe Madigan, Arapahoe, Sr.; Brandon Messer, Douglas County, Sr.; Matt Nier, Regis, Jr.; Ryan Perkins, Douglas County, Sr.; Kyle Quintero (GK), Ponderosa, Sr.; Levi Rossi, Regis, Jr.; Connor Talbret, Arapahoe, Jr.; Matt Taylor, Arapahoe, So.

Outlook: The Continental might be the toughest league from top to bottom, with several teams legitimate contenders to win it all. Arapahoe returns five starters from last year’s semifinal team, including senior forward Joe Madigan. The Warriors enter the season with some questions but they always seem to find the right answers and should be there in the end. Heritage, which lost to Arapahoe in the quarterfinals, will be strong defensively with Blaine Barnes and John Lamb, and the Eagles have enough playmakers to be a factor. Ponderosa, another semifinalist, brings back eight starters, including standout keeper Kyle Quintero. Rangeview made it all the way to the quarterfinals last year and brings back a team that is capable of a similar run. The Raiders have one of the top sophomores in the state in forward Davey Armstrong. Regis ended 2006 with a half-dozen ties. If the Raiders, who bring back a good portion of their starters, can covert those to wins then they can challenge for a top finish in the league. Brandon Messer, a transfer from California, should help Douglas County make a run at a playoff spot. Highlands Ranch has a new coach in Danny Main and he believes the Falcons can contend.

Denver Prep

Favorite: Denver East

Contender: George Washington

Top players: Zach Bolden, Denver East, So.; Nick Lewis, Denver East, Sr.; Brian McQuinn, Denver East, Sr.; Suli Shareef, Denver East, Sr.; Grant Simon (GK), Denver East, Sr.; Nathan Urig, Denver East, Sr.

Outlook: Denver East has dominated this league, winning the DPL crown in six of the previous seven seasons. The Angels again will be the team to beat with a solid group of defenders, including Nathan Urig, Nick Lewis, Suli Shareef and Brian McQuinn. Sophomore forward Zach Bolden will pace the offense while senior Grant Simon is strong in the net.

Front Range

Favorite: Fort Collins

Contenders: Poudre, Rocky Mountain

Top players: Jordan Blair, Monarch, Jr.; Travis Brandl, Monarch, Jr.; Chris Couperus (GK), Fort Collins, So.; Preston Davis, Legacy, Sr.; Alexander Deitz, Fort Collins, Sr.; Alex Falloon, Monarch, Sr.; Chris Field, Legacy, Jr.; Ryne Freeman, Thornton, Sr.; Marc Hershberger, Northglenn, Jr.; Tim Lynn, Horizon, Sr.; Cameron Macrae, Legacy, Sr.; Sergio Munoz, Thornton, Sr.; Alex Nass, Poudre, Jr.; Josh Nelson, Poudre, Sr.; Nathaniel Perkowski, Horizon, Sr.; Will Pomeroy, Fort Collins, Jr.; Chris Reagan, Legacy, Jr.; Aaron Skipworth, Fort Collins, Sr.; Cody Skrbina, Horizon, Sr.; Danny Westedt, Poudre, Jr.; Erik Zapata, Thornton, Sr.

Outlook: Fort Collins has been in the past two state championship games, winning it all in 2005. Midfielder Alexander Deitz is one of the top players in the state, and he has the Lambkins geared up for another run. Poudre believes it has its most talent since 2004, when the Impalas won it all. Alex Nass is a top midfielder, while Danny Westedt and Josh Nelson provide a good 1-2 punch up top. Legacy brings back a good portion of last year’s playoff team. The Lightning are looking to improve its win-loss record and get further in the postseason. Forward Preston Davis was injured most of last year, but he is healthy now and will pace Legacy’s offensive attack. Horizon starts a new era under coach Diego Estremadoyro, and Cody Skrbina will pace the Hawks on offense. Monarch will be led by Alex Falloon, who played every minute of every game in 2006. Northglenn won the league last year but has to reload under a new coach. Thornton has a lot of playmakers, meaning the Trojans could be the surprise team of the league.

Jefferson County

Favorite: Chatfield

Contenders: Pomona, Wheat Ridge

Top players: Issa Bissa (GK), Chatfield, Sr.; Justin Bumgardner, Standley Lake, Sr.; Jason Carr, Green Mountain, Jr.; Brett Chacon, Standley Lake, Jr.; Paolo Del Piccolo, Wheat Ridge, Jr.; Dave Eden (GK), Standley Lake, Jr.; Patrick Freeman, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Tommy Fritze, Chatfield, Sr.; Dele Johnson, Pomona, Sr.; Cody Lutes, Green Mountain, Sr.; Alex Merrill (GK), Wheat Ridge, So.; Jake Meyer, Chatfield, Sr.; Nate Tauer, Pomona, Sr.; Steve Tedesco, Pomona, Sr.; Riley Zelus (GK), Green Mountain, Jr.

Outlook: Chatfield has established itself as the team to beat in this league, and the Chargers should remain at the top. Pomona finished second last year and qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. This year the Panthers hope to make it further in the playoffs behind defender Dele Johnson and forward Steve Tedesco. Standley Lake has a top player in senior Justin Bumgardner. Wheat Ridge was a top team, and the Farmers bring back eight starters, including the duo of Patrick Freeman and Paolo Del Piccolo, who notched 27 combined goals.

Skyline

Favorite: Brighton

Contenders: Adams City, Aurora Central

Top players: Alex Erger, Brighton, So.; Andrew McIntosh (GK), Brighton, Sr.; Bryant Monreal, Brighton, So.; Jaime Rios, Brighton, Sr.; Mykal Sostarich, Brighton, Jr.

Outlook: Brighton won the league last season, and the Bulldogs are the team to beat again. Jaime Rios is one of the top offensive threats in the state, notching 17 goals despite missing some time last year. Keeper Andrew McIntosh allowed only 14 goals last season and will key the defense. Adams City pushed the Bulldogs last year, and the Eagles bring back a lot of talent. Aurora Central and junior Jose Macias also should make a push, and the Trojans have had success in the postseason in the recent past.

Southwestern

Favorite: Durango

Contender: Grand Junction

Top players: Travis Brown, Grand Junction, Jr.; Lucas Hoffman, Durango, Jr.; R.J. Park, Durango, Sr.; Alex Schackel, Durango, Sr.

Outlook: Durango and Grand Junction battled for supremacy last season, and that should be the case again this year. Durango will be solid in the midfield with Lucas Hoffman and Alex Schackel, while R.J. Park might be the best defensive player in the league. Grand Junction had a great showing last season, beating Durango and Heritage, and will battle for the league crown.

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