Strikers live for moments like these: when the ball falls to them in a dangerous spot, or the perfect pass dissects the defense, or they find themselves with only one defender to beat and room to create.
These are the moments when Bongomin Otii finds himself in a patient, cerebral calm.
The Regis High School senior is a rare blend of size, speed and savvy, and can do a million things in that tiny space of time, much like his idol, World Cup-winning Frenchman Thierry Henry.
“He’s tricky around the goal,” Mullen coach Jay McClain said of Otii, whom he coached as an 11-year-old at Club Denver. “He scores goals under composure. He doesn’t really rip a shot, he just finesses his way into goals.”
While Otii scored just five goals last season, his mere presence puts opposing defenses under exceeding pressure.
“That’s something I pride myself in as a big man,” Otii said. “It’s sort of hard to have a good touch on the ball and good control. That’s one thing I work on a lot, being able to control the ball in tight spaces and control a long ball one-touch and have it down on my feet.”
His skills, combined with a 3.8 grade-point average and aspirations to become a civil or biomedical engineer, are why Otii is being recruited by Stanford, Michigan, Cornell, Cal- Davis and Cal-Santa Barbara.
Physically, Otii is a man, says Regis coach Peter Scott, an Englishman who played professionally with Southampton. The only knock Scott could muster was Otii’s lack of a “killer personality.”
“The hardest thing I’ve ever had with kids in this country is they don’t have the switch when they walk across the line,” Scott said. “If (Otii) ever grows into his body mentally, he’s going to grow into a formidable player.”
Otii was born in Denver after his parents emigrated from Uganda in 1979, fleeing the uncertainty surrounding the waning reign of brutal dictator Idi Amin.
This season, Scott sees Otii developing into a target forward, who works with his back to the goal while holding off defenders before making his move. Otii’s continued success will be key for a Raiders squad coming off a disappointing finish.
Just how close were the Raiders last season to winning their first boys state soccer title since 1996 and fifth overall? Regis fought eventual state champion Smoky Hill to a 3-3 draw and took runner-up – and this year’s consensus No. 1 pick – Grandview to penalties in the second round of the state tournament.
Regis’ undoing was a seven-day funk late in the regular season, when losses to Heritage, Ponderosa and Arapahoe left the team a 17th seed in the state bracket.
Otii believes the chemistry is better this season.
“I think the players we have are more willing to work for each other,” he said.
Class 5A
This much we know: Grandview is the team to beat. Runners-up a year ago, the Wolves are loaded with senior returning starters and have everyone’s attention.
This much we don’t know: Which team or teams will emerge as other title contenders?
The list of candidates is longer than any top 10, so apologies to Regis, Fort Collins, Overland, Green Mountain, Palmer and others who should be right in the thick of things.
Defending champion Smoky Hill won’t give up the crown easily. The Buffaloes are still deep and have All-Colorado goalkeeper Miguel Rosales.
The Centennial League will be especially fun, with Overland poised to enter the fray with nine starters back and ready to give Grandview, Smoky Hill and Cherry Creek one more headache.
Heritage looks to have the inside track in the Continental, though rival Arapahoe and Regis will have a lot to say. And keep an eye on Mountain Vista. If coach Theresa Echtermeyer can lead the girls team to glory, why not the boys?
Chatfield gets the early nod in the Jefferson County League with the usual contenders – Columbine and Green Mountain – mere steps behind.
Up north is a dogfight, with coaches quick to remind you of the intensity of the Fort Collins rivalries. Rocky Mountain gets a slight nod, but Poudre and Fort Collins are right in step. Horizon remains in the Front Range League chase.
Durango and Fruita Monument should be the leaders out west.
Class 4A
Defending champion Liberty remains loaded, although replacing its scoring and leadership will be a challenge.
To keep his players hungry, coach Mike Goyden is bringing 21 players on his varsity roster and will pitch some tough scrimmages to battle for playing time. If the Lancers don’t hurt each other, they’ll be strong, starting in the back.
Broomfield and Mullen appear legitimate. Broomfield has Ryan Aweida and 10 seniors. The Eagles must adjust to the new competition of the Northern League, which has talent in Niwot, Mountain View and Greeley Central.
Mullen will need to compensate for the surprise losses of midfield playmaker Sam Rolph (moved to Houston) and goalkeeper Brandon Bumpas (Florida).
Summit should head up Jeffco while Montrose, behind Jordan Reese, should be a force. Down south, Pueblo Centennial returns nine starters.
Class 3A
Faith Christian remains the team to beat after losing a close state final last season to Salida. The Eagles return arguably their best players – Tyler Hambrick, Michael Lind and Eric Bushaw.
The Eagles get the early nod in the competitive Metropolitan League, which has five of the preseason top-10 teams. That number could roll higher if Middle Park or Holy Family makes a run.
Denver Christian will be a factor with its experience, similar to Peak to Peak.
Salida has a tough task of repeating after losing a strong group from last year’s stirring state run. The Spartans (and Buena Vista Demons) still have some top playmakers in forward Tyler Keidel and midfielder Aaron Hanes.
Alexander Dawson has a big-time goal scorer in Wynn Sullivan, as does Basalt in Felipe Sanchez and Manitou Springs in sophomore Matt Marvin.
