On the heels of a World Cup year, Colorado schoolboys head to the pitch with what is expected to be three distinct fields. Here’s a class-by-class look:
Class 5A
The state’s top class of soccer might not be that this season. Not to worry. You’ve been here before.
Last season, in fact, when a slew of teams with relatively equal talent made runs, faded and made runs again, led to an exciting state championship victory by Fort Collins. Remember, the Lambkins began last season unranked, although not unnoticed. They had the pieces and the potential and eventually proved their abilities when it counted.
Across the board, the talent in 5A appears down, certainly when compared to 4A. There are few superstars and even fewer teams loaded with proven talent.
So throw in your clichés without hesitation. The door is wide open. It’s anyone’s game.
The preseason top 10 reads more like a suggestion than a sure thing, not with talented teams like Northglenn, Aurora Central, Regis, Overland, Mountain Vista, Palmer, Pine Creek, Pomona and Fruita Monument on standby.
Perhaps the least-affected league should be the Centennial. Smoky Hill is looking for its third straight trip to the final behind goalie Miguel Rosales, one of the few game-changers coming back.
Cherry Creek lost a lot of senior talent but should be fine, as should Grandview.
The Jefferson County League could benefit the most from the parity as several squads look ready for an upswing. Chatfield and Columbine remain the powers, but Pomona looks stingy, Wheat Ridge returns 11 starters and Bear Creek eight.
The Continental League, surprisingly, seems down from its usual level of talent. Arapahoe, which hasn’t won a title since 1997, gets the onus as the No. 1 team, but will have to fight off rivals Heritage and Regis. Then there are a pack of maybes, most noticeably Douglas County, Mountain Vista and Highlands Ranch.
Fort Collins loses nine starters from last year and will defend its title with young talent. Horizon and Northglenn should also be tough out of the Front Range League.
Lewis-Palmer has impressed people, but Palmer will be tough and Pine Creek enters the fray from 4A with a history of being solid.
East always seems to be the team to beat in Denver while Fruita Monument holds similar sway around Grand Junction.
Class 4A
The decks are loaded in 4A and the poker faces won’t be wiped away soon.
Defending champion Broomfield brings back its entire attack, led by senior All-Colorado midfielder and 4A player of the year Ryan Aweida. The Eagles will have to replace their defense and goalkeeper, but coach Jim Davidson is confident the talent is there.
Mullen welcomes back goalie standout Brandyn Bumpas, who was in Florida last season with the United States soccer residency program. As far as coach Jay McClain can tell, this group of Mustangs is as good as any he’s seen.
Liberty is in great shape with Mitch Lobdell and Kyle Joern heading up a deep Lancers squad. Pueblo Centennial, semifinalists last season, is loaded with a junior-heavy roster.
And it doesn’t stop there. Cheyenne Mountain (Marc Kocel, Alex Lofthus) will be strong, Mountain View is loaded in the midfield and defense, and Niwot will be right on the Mountain Lions’ heels in the deep Northern League, which includes Fossil Ridge and Greeley Central.
Battle Mountain should be the class of the Western Slope, although the Huskies will need to gain some valuable experience before the playoffs.
Golden is junior-loaded, but many of its players, led by sweeper James Martinez, saw enough time last season to be formidable. D’Evelyn will give chase in the Jefferson County League, along with Conifer and Evergreen.
Montrose should have no problem coming out of the Southwestern League and remains an interesting dark horse.
Class 3A
Riddle this: After winning titles in 2003 and 2002, Faith Christian has been parked at the top of every preseason ranking for the past two seasons, only to be knocked off in the finals by unheralded teams.
So naturally, Faith Christian slips down the line this season, putting the onus on Peak to Peak, which quietly won its first state title in school history last season with a dramatic stretch run.
Peak to Peak’s Pumas lost leadership with the graduation of four key seniors. However, their bread and butter (defense) is far from toast and has the ability to keep the Pumas in any game.
And games in the Metropolitan League should be quite a treat now that only four teams will advance to the playoffs. Undoubtedly, one or two very talented teams will be home early, but the jockeying during the regular season should be a treat for the neutral fan.
Kent Denver should be tough again and Holy Family brings back nine starters and could be ready to make a push deep into the playoffs. Denver Christian will be close by, the same goes for Middle Park and Colorado Academy.
Since 1996, only three teams outside the Metropolitan have won 3A. Aspen gets the early nod to lead that contingent this season, a group that should include Salida, Colorado Springs Christian, Basalt, Weld Central and Alexander Dawson.
BRIAN FORBES
The Denver Post/9News poll
CLASS 5A
1. Arapahoe; 2. Smoky Hill; 3. Cherry Creek; 4. Chatfield; 5. Grandview; 6. Lewis-Palmer; 7. Fort Collins; 8. Horizon; 9. Columbine; 10. Heritage
Returning all-state players
Mike Cookson, Palmer, Sr.; Alexander Deitz, Fort Collins, Jr.; A.J. Jackson, Northglenn, Sr.; Sam Pinegar, Pine Creek, Sr.; Miguel Rosales, Smoky Hill, Sr.; Ben Schneider, Pine Creek, Sr.; Tyler Waggoner, Smoky Hill, Sr.
CLASS 4A
1. Broomfield; 2. Mullen; 3. Liberty; 4. Pueblo Centennial; 5. Cheyenne Mountain; 6. Mountain View; 7. Niwot; 8. Battle Mountain; 9. Golden; 10. Fossil Ridge
Returning all-state players
Ryan Aweida, Broomfield, Sr.; Marlin Boyer, Broomfield, Sr.;Mark Brundage, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Joe Eubanks, Mullen, Sr.; Kyle Joern, Liberty, Sr.; Nathan Kafer, Broomfield, Sr.; Matt Karn, Pueblo Centennial, Jr.; Marc Kocel, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Mitch Lobdell, Liberty, Sr.; Jose Nuñez, Centaurus, Jr.
CLASS 3A
1. Peak to Peak; 2. Kent Denver; 3. Holy Family; 4. Aspen; 5. Faith Christian; 6. Salida; 7. Colorado Springs Christian; 8. Denver Christian; 9. Basalt; 10. Weld Central
Returning all-state players
Nicky Anastas, Aspen, Sr.; Chris Bostic, Peak to Peak, Jr.; Derek Brekken, St. Mary’s, Jr.; Eric Bushaw, Faith Christian, Sr.; Stephen Buzbee, Aspen, Sr.; Grant Cowles, Faith Christian, Sr.; Tyler Keidel, Salida, Sr.; Jake Marchesani, C.S. Christian, Sr.; Tyler Morton, Kent Denver Sr.; Zach Paul, Alexander Dawson, Jr.; Tyler Weber, Peak to Peak, Jr.
