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Class 3A boys soccer region outlooks

The Rocky

Published August 27, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.

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Region 1

Favorite: Holy Family

Contenders: Faith Christian, Peak to Peak

Top players: Bishnu Kennedy, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Christian Lucero (GK), Holy Family, Sr.; Arthur Plonski, Holy Family, Sr.; Trevor Shepard, Peak to Peak, Jr.; Cory Surbrugg, Holy Family, Sr.; Tim Ward, Faith Christian, Sr.; Brady Wisott, Peak to Peak, Jr.

Outlook: This is a tough region to call, as three teams could walk away with the No. 1 seed, but they all have question marks. Holy Family won only three games last season, but the Tigers should rebound in a big way. A strong senior class and an improved attack should get them back in the playoffs. Peak to Peak won a state title three years ago, but has to fill a lot of holes. The Pumas should still be formidable, as defender Bishnu Kennedy is one of the fastest players to ever lace up a pair of cleats at the school. Faith Christian, the 2006 champion, brings back eight starters, including talented forward Tim Ward.

Region 2

Favorite: Kent Denver

Contenders: Colorado Academy, Denver Christian

Top players: Dimitri Carahalios, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Paul Fassio, Machebeuf, Sr.; Alex Gomez, Machebeuf, Sr.; Alex Gunberg, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Brent Ham, Denver Christian, Jr.; Blaise Lake, Denver Lutheran, Sr.; Jacob Machado, Machebeuf, Sr.; Brendan Roslund (GK), Denver Christian, Sr.; Taylor Smith, Denver Christian, Jr.; Willie Strazza, Kent Denver, Sr.; Aaron Surrey, Kent Denver, Sr.; Bobby Thalman (GK), Colorado Academy, Sr.; Peter Walker, Kent Denver, Sr.

Outlook: The best region in the class, Region 2 has three teams that are legitimate threats to win it all. Chief among them is Kent Denver, a semifinalist from last year. The Sun Devils are led by Peter Walker, a spectacular senior playmaker who earned first-team all-state honors last year. Colorado Academy and defending champion Denver Christian will be hot on Kent Denver's tail. Colorado Academy might have the best keeper in the state in senior Bobby Thalman, and Alex Gunberg is a top offensive threat. Denver Christian brings back seven starters from its championship team, inlcluding standout midfielder Brent Ham. Machebeuf posted its first winning record in four years last season and hopes to get back to the playoffs. The Buffaloes defense should be stronger and they should be able to put more balls in the back of the net.

Region 3

Favorite: Middle Park

Contenders: Denver Science & Technology, Sheridan, Arrupe Jesuit

Top players: Tomas Garcia, DSST, Sr.; Yonas Hall, DSST, Sr.; Yafet Mengesha, DSST, Jr.

Outlook: Middle Park is strong in the net, and the Panthers should only get better as the season goes along. Arrupe Jesuit made the postseason last year, but was pounded 10-0 in the first round by Fountain Valley. The Generals would like to erase that memory and a strong start should do that. Denver Science & Technology is coming off a disappointing season, but the Knights' nine returning starters are determined to make a run at the region title.

Region 4

Favorite: Alexander Dawson

Contenders: Heritage Christian, Lutheran-Parker

Top players: Jesse Morenz, Alexander Dawson, Jr.; Jose Ordaz, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; Nick Seeley (GK), Alexander Dawson, Sr.

Outlook: This could be a pretty competitive region, as there are several schools with programs on the rise. Alexander Dawson always seems to make it to the postseason, and the Mustangs get the nod as the team to beat. Lutheran-Parker won its league last year, posting a dozen wins, and will be formidable.

Region 5

Favorite: Crested Butte

Contenders: Pagosa Springs, Telluride

Top players: Dustin Anderson, Pagosa Springs, Sr.; Jeremy Clayton, Crested Butte, Sr.; Fidel Francisco, Center, So.; Robbie Holleran, Crested Butte, Sr.; Jack Linehan, Crestted Butte, Sr.; Mike Matthews, Telluride, Sr.; Ryan Searle, Pagosa Springs, Jr.; T.J. Tassone, Telluride, Sr.; John Wright, Crested Butte, Sr.; Josh Zieve, Telluride, Sr.

Outlook: This should be a three-way race for the top spot, as Crested Butte, Pagosa Springs and Telluride all have a shot at the title. Crested Butte finished second in the Southwest League last year and made the state tournament, but was bounced in the first round. Pagosa Springs has established a decent tradition, as has Telluride, which won a league title last year.

Region 6

Favorite: Berthoud

Contenders: Weld Central, Valley, Sterling

Top players: Ryan Barron, Berthoud, Sr.; Keegan Hand (GK), Berthoud, Jr.; Charlie Lindgren, Berthoud, Sr.

Outlook: Berthoud moves down from 4A and hopes the change in scenery will result in a regional title. Ryan Barron is the engine of the midfield, and keeper Keegan Hand is strong in the net. The Spartans be pushed by Weld Central and Sterling, but all of the teams have a chance to reach the postseason.

Region 7

Favorite: Basalt

Contenders: Coal Ridge, Aspen, Vail Mountain

Top players: Darwin Cortez, Coal Ridge, Sr.; Murphy Frywald, Aspen, Sr.;

J.J. Riddile, Coal Ridge, Sr.; Dylan Van Roekel, Coal Ridge, Sr.

Outlook: Basalt perennially is a playoff contender, and it advanced to the second round of state last year before being knocked off by Kent Denver. Vail Mountain also reached the second round and is a good bet to make another run. Coal Ridge brings back the bulk of its squad, and the Titans will be looking to get to the playoffs.

Region 8

Favorite: Colorado Springs Christian

Contenders: Classical Academy, Manitou Springs, Salida

Top players: Daniel Broas, Colorado Springs Christian, So.; Russell Pompea (GK), Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; Travis Reddick, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; Jonathan Taves, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.

Outlook: Colorado Springs Christian advanced to the semifinals last year and are hungry to get back. The Lions bring back a good core of players and have a strong sophomore class to build around.

Region 9

Favorite: Community Christian

Contenders: Ridge View Academy, Frontier Academy

Top players: Logan Hapke, Community Christian, Jr.; Phillip Readle, Community Christian, Sr.; Tyler Smith (GK), Community Christian, Sr.; Brandon Guftason, Community Christian, So.; Trent Smith, Community Christian, So.

Outlook: This is a region without a lot of established programs or clubs with much of a tradition. That will offer all of the teams a chance at a fresh start. That could be good news for Community Christian under new coach Steve Guftason, as the Crusaders should make their way to the playoffs.

Region 10

Favorite: Fountain Valley

Contenders: Dolores Huerta, Colorado Springs School

Top players: Ricardo Castanon, Fountain Valley, Jr.; Joseph Eunice, Dolores Huerta, Jr.; Jae Kim, Fountain Valley, Sr.; Lukas Langer, Fountain Valley, Sr.; John McCaffrey, Fountain Valley, Jr.

Outlook: Fountain Valley made it all the way to the title game last year, and they should have enough talent to make another run. The Danes will be doing it under a new coach, though, as David Shaver takes over the reins.

Comments

  • September 6, 2008

    10:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rhbcpastor writes:

    You might want to take a look at James Irwin in Region 8. They just finished a nice weekend sweep of Harrison/Sierra (4A), Salida (3A) and Mesa Ridge (4A) to win the Fountain Valley Tournament.

  • September 20, 2008

    1:02 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rhbcpastor writes:

    Manitou Springs and Salida are contenders in region 8? You might want to rethink that. CSCS and TCA are solid squads, but James Irwin (undefeated, including wins over both Manitou and Salida) and St. Mary's should be at the top of the tables.

  • September 27, 2008

    10:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cazyforCSCS writes:

    James Irwin just lost 7-0 to CSCS. I think they might have gotten the stats just right. :)

  • September 27, 2008

    10:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cazyforCSCS writes:

    And St. Mary's was also defeated by the CSCS lions 6-1 recently. ;)

  • October 10, 2008

    6:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ppccrhetor writes:

    ECA should've been posted as a contender in Region 10. Playing with only two seniors and two juniors, the rest underclassmen. Team's got a future. Take a look at Braxton Finch in that league as well. One of the top scorers. Send someone to these regions to get accurate news. Dolores Huerta hasn't won a game.

  • October 14, 2008

    2:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    msfitz writes:

    Watch out for Lake County (Leadville) in Region 3...they knocked off James Irwin, and are hungry for more!

  • October 20, 2008

    4:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    msfitz writes:

    James Irwin is the #6 seed in the playoffs? Who makes these brackets up for CHSAA?