Players to Watch
Seth Arvizu, Sr., Skyline: Last year, he netted five goals for the Falcons, who will need increased production from him to make up for graduating 11 seniors.
Alex Becerra, Sr., Frederick: He’ll be a senior leader for the Warriors, who are looking to make the postseason for the first time this season.
Ernesto Enriquez, Sr., Longmont: He scored 13 goals as a junior last season, but he’s working to becoming more of a facilitator his senior season.
Brian Hardy, Jr., Silver Creek: He led the Raptors with five assists and scored six goals as a sophomore and will be a veteran presence on a young roster this year.
Jack Huettel, Sr., Boulder: He returns as a senior leader on a Panthers squad questing for its sixth straight playoff berth.
Colton Lamb, Sr., Broomfield: He led the Eagles with 10 goals last season and is expected to spark the offense again this season.
Luke Niccolls, Sr., Centaurus: His six goals and nine assists made the Warriors offense go last year, and if they return to the playoffs this year, he’ll be a big reason why.
Shane O’Neill, Sr., Fairview: Scoring 15 goals and assisting 11 more, he helped take the Knights to the quarterfinals last season.
Ryan Urwiller, Sr., Peak to Peak: A returning all-state forward, he’ll look to help the rebuilding Pumas get back into the state playoffs.
Josh Watt, Jr., Niwot: The Cougars lost a lot of talented players this year, so Watt will have to play well in goal to keep them in games.
Postseason Information
5A state tournament will begin Oct. 25.
3A, 4A state tournaments will begin Oct. 26.
3A (Nov. 8), 4A and 5A (Nov. 9) state championships games will be played at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
Team-by-Team capsules
ALEXANDER DAWSON MUSTANGS
Coach: George Moore, 1st year
Last year: 5-10-1, 4-3-0 in Mile High League; lost in first round of 3A state tournament
Returning starters: Ross Barron, Jr.; Kyle Koening, Sr.; AJ Lambert, Sr.; Ryan Lupberger, So.
Others to watch: Jose Gutierrez, Fr.; Michael Paquetter, So.; Jesus Valdez, So.; Tom Walker, Jr.
Outlook: Moore brings 18 years of coaching experience to his first season leading the Mustangs. A relatively inexperienced group, the Mustangs will work on developing a defensive identity to compliment a reasonably effective attack.
BOULDER PANTHERS
Coach: Hardy Kalisher, 6th year
Last year: 16-2-1, 8-1-1 in Front Range League; lost in semifinal round of 5A state tournament
Returning starters: Jack Huettle, Sr.; Rojesh Shrestha, Sr.
Others to watch: Omar Bouchta, Sr.; Kyle Hawkins, Sr.; Henry Huettle, So.; Ben Kates, Sr.; Ivan Ramirez, Sr.; Michael Ozeroff, Sr.;
Outlook: Their goal every year is to get into the playoffs, which they’ve accomplished five years running, and go from there. They’re not returning many starters, but have plenty of seniors and feel confident they’ll be able to contend for a league title again in 2011.
BROOMFIELD EAGLES
Coach: Jim Davidson, 15th year
Last year: 14-3-3, 4-2-2 in Northern Conference; lost in finals of 4A state tournament
Returning starters: Tim Ayers, Sr.; Clay Fiscus, Jr.; Wes Jones, Sr.; Colton Lamb, Sr.; Thomas O’Brien, Jr.; Trevor Sackmann, Sr.; Nick Saunders, Sr.
Others to watch: Noah Chapleski, Fr.; Ben Marquez, Jr.; Connor Metzger, So.; Ricardo Ocampo, So.
Outlook: A lot of the returning Eagles got a taste of the championship game. Coach Davidson is expecting more of a technically sound. They are inexperienced at the back line and they have a new goalkeeper, so they’ll need to come together quickly at the defensive end to make another run deep into the playoffs.
CENTAURUS WARRIORS
Coach: Ken Ebersole, 25th year
Last year: 8-6-2, 3-3-2 in Northern Conference; lost in first round of 4A state tournament.
Returning starters: Ryan Ebersole, Sr.; Sam Esler, Jr.; Luke Niccolls, Sr.; Gio Nunez, So.; Jesus Ocampo, Sr.; Jose Silva, Sr.; Eric Spangler, So.; Max Xiong, Sr.
Others to watch: Chris Beamon, Sr.; Francisco Hansen, Sr.; Victor Hernandez, Jr.; Fabian Meraz, Sr.
Outlook: The Warriors are returning plenty of talent, but they need to shore up their center backs and midfield. With a tough Northern League schedule and challenging non-league games, coach Ebersole sees just making it into the playoffs as a good accomplishment.
FAIRVIEW KNIGHTS
Coach: Stan Jozwiak, 31st year
Last year: 12-4-2, 7-3 in Front Range; lost in quarterfinal round of 5A state tournament
Returning starters: Matt Ginley-Hidinger, Sr.; Eric Kronenberg, Jr.; Shane O’Niell, Sr.; Derek Mahalek, Sr.; Amos Nash, Sr.; Bryan Windsor, Jr.; Jackson Wojociechowski, Jr.
Others to watch: Charlie Bowers, Jr.; Joel Frykholm, So.; Ollie Gerland, Sr.; Dustin Levine, Sr.; Jeff Mayfield, Jr.; Enda O’Niell, So.
Outlook: The Knights will be a very attack-oriented team with talented goal scorers up top. In order to improve their performance and outcome in league and state-tournament play, they’ll need solid performances from a new goalkeeper and central defender at the back.
FAITH BAPTIST PIONEERS
Coach: Kent Woods, 1st year
Last year: No team last year
Returning starters: N/A
Others to watch: Garrett Dietz, Sr.; Philip Mitchel, Sr.; Dillon Mount, Jr.; Adrian Pavlov, Jr.; Anthony Pavlov, Jr.; Matt Randle, Sr.; David Yurka, Sr.
Outlook: The Pioneers will play their first soccer season this year in the Front Range Christian Athletic Conference. They have some players, from grades 7-12, with some soccer experience, but coach Woods says they don’t know how they’ll do until they play their first game.
FREDERICK WARRIORS
Coach: Nathan Oliver, 2nd year
Last year: 5-9-1, 4-7-1 in Tri-Valley League
Returning starters: Joel Andrade, Sr.; Alex Becerra, Sr.; Victor Ortega, Sr.; Hugo Puentes, Sr.; Othon Romero, Jr.; Samuel Samano, Sr.; Brian Vasquez, Sr.
Others to watch: Jared Campbell, Fr.; Salvador Cervantes, Sr.; Will Eidson, Jr.
Outlook: The Warriors are looking to improve on last year’s record, and are expecting more out of their returning players. Their goal is to make the playoffs for the first time.
HOLY FAMILY TIGERS
Coach: Jim Schuster, 5th yearLast year: 5-7-3, 0-6-1 in Region 6; Finished sixth in Metro League
Returning starters: Preston Arguello, Jr.; Patrick Borer, So.; Zach Burk, So.; Daniel Carvalho, Sr.; Erik Celmer, Sr.; Zach Disberger, Sr.; Jay Elliott, Jr.; Matt O’Hayre, So.; Nick Rhoden, Jr.; Conner Spelic, Sr.; Alex Toderica, Jr.
Others to watch: Tucker Schneider, Fr.
Outlook: The Tigers have spent the past two years rebuilding and are ready to return to the playoffs with an experienced group. Led by Alex Toderica and Preston Arguello, the Tigers’ offense should put the ball in the net. The question remains whether or not the defense has improved enough to stop other teams.
LONGMONT TROJANS
Coach: Patrick Laughlin, 1st year
Last year: 10-4-4, 5-1-2 in Northern Conference; lost in quarterfinal round of 4A state tournament
Returning starters: Kyler Auernhamer, Jr.; Santiago Bothe-Bolte, Jr.; Ernesto Enriquez, Sr.; Renzo Laynes, Sr.; Keenan Meitz, Sr.; Johnathan Santana, Sr.
Others to watch: Nikolai Harroun, So.; Jason Pocalyko, So.; Kyle Pocalyko, So.
Outlook: The Trojans made it deep into the postseason in 2010 and are looking for a return to form in 2011. With a new, discipline-oriented coach and plenty of returning talent, they feel like they can do it.
MONARCH COYOTES
Coach: Jason Cook, 1st year
Last year: 2-11-2, 1-7-2 in Front Range League; Finished 10th in Front Range League
Returning starters: Michael Capitelli, Sr.; Josh Dardick, Sr.; Jamie Falloon, Jr.; Clyde Glastetter, Sr.; Richard Noack, Sr.
Others to watch: Sebastian Gabaldon, Sr.; Michael Maulsby, Jr.; Noah Nellessen, Jr.
Outlook: After winning just two games a year ago, this year’s Coyotes have started with better fitness and attitudes. First-year head coach Jason Cook said he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Coyotes increase their win total to “8 or 10 and emerge as a competitive team in our league.”
NEDERLAND PANTHERS
Coach: Kevin Hueth, 2nd year
Last year: 2-10-1, 1-6 in District 7
Returning starters: Gus Forrest, Sr.; River Harris, Sr.; Dennon Jones, Sr.; Parker Landry-Murphy, Sr.; Jaden Pieper, Sr.; Nathan Sanfacon, Sr.
Others to watch: Thomas Van Mettenheim, So.
Outlook: The Panthers coaches believe this year’s team has the potential to be the strongest in the Nederland soccer program’s history. If they play up to their potential, the Panthers are hoping to make their first-ever playoff appearance.
NIWOT COUGARS
Coach: Rob Johnson, 2nd year
Last year: 8-7-2, 5-2-1 in Northern Conference; lost in second round of 4A state tournament
Returning starters: Robert Charles, Sr.; Luis Montenegro, Sr.; Caleb Payne, Sr.; Josh Watt, Jr.
Others to watch: Tommy Hoffman, Sr.; Quienton Pearson, Fr.; Grant Webster, So.
Outlook: The Cougars lost a bunch of good players to year-round soccer and graduation, and goalkeeper Josh Watt must sit the first four games due to a paperwork error from last season. Despite forfeiting the first six games last year, the Cougars made the playoffs, so there’s little reason to think they can’t do it again.
PEAK TO PEAK PUMAS
Coach: Peter Chandler, 8th year
Last year: 13-4-1, 4-3-1 in Region 6; lost in quarterfinal round of Class 3A state tournament.
Returning starters: Victor Lemus, Sr.; Dylan Thompson, Sr.; Ryan Urwiller, Sr. Others to watch: Tomas Del Carill, Jr.; Nico Meyer, Jr.; Chris Thompson, So. Outlook: This will be a rebuilding year for the Pumas, but they haven’t lost hope of returning to the postseason. With some all-state talent returning and solid juniors and sophomores, the Pumas’ playoff goal is within reach.
SILVER CREEK RAPTORS
Coach: Shane Smith, 1st year
Last year: 6-8-1, 3-4-1 in Northern Conference. Finished sixth in Northern Conference.
Returning starters: Steven Flores, So.; Cameron Guzman, So.; Brian Hardy, Jr.; Kyle Kirkland, Sr.; Erik Monahan, Sr.; Manuel Steinbach, So.; Brock Vowell, Sr.; Colin Willmann, Jr.; Jonathon Wright, So.
Others to watch: Dare Murray, So.; Austin Rankin, Jr.Outlook: Starting two juniors and five sophomores, the Raptors are a young team. Tryouts saw record numbers, and they’re hoping depth will help them fulfill expectations of improving from last year.
SKYLINE FALCONS
Coach: Luis Chavez, 2nd year
Last year: 8-6-1 overall, 7-4-1 in Tri-Valley League; lost in first round of 4A state tournament
Returning starters: Alejandro Arredondo, Sr.; Seth Arvizu, Sr.; Abel Cabrera, So.; Austin Castilleja, Sr.; Josue Chavez, Sr.; Jovanni Chavez, So., Jonathan Timms, So.
Others to watch: Cesar Medina, So.; Alex Seeley, So.; Cruz Valdez, Fr.
Outlook: Though the Falcons graduated 11 seniors, they’re still returning a solid core of starters. Adding many new faces, some with experience and some with raw talent, the Falcons could return to the playoffs in 2011.
Brad Cochi, BoCoPreps.com
