Centennial

Favorite: Grandview

Contenders: Arapahoe, Cherry Creek, Smoky Hill

Top players: Nate Aguirre (GK), Cherry Creek, Sr.; Drew Beckie, Arapahoe, Sr.; Rob Derschang, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Francisco Flores, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Antonio Gasca, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Matt Hammett, Smoky Hill, Sr.; John Lacouture, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Zach Portillos-Grant, Grandview, Jr.; Cayler Pritchard, Eaglecrest, Sr.; Nicholas Rodriguez, Grandview, Jr.; Christian Saba, Grandview, Sr.; Steven Solano-Cargill, Smoky Hill, Jr.; Conner Talbert, Arapahoe, Sr.; Adam Tormoehlen, Arapahoe, Jr.; Kyle Venter, Smoky Hill, Jr.

Outlook: The Centennial is loaded, and the race for the league's four playoff spots will be brutal. Grandview reached the title game last year, and the Wolves have the weapons to get back there this season with 5A player of the year Zach Portillos-Grant. Ted Gutshall takes over coaching duties at two-time defending champion Smoky Hill, and the Buffaloes should still be a player in the race for the state title. They bring back standout seniors Matt Hammett and Kyle Venter, along with talented junior striker Steven Solano-Cargill. Rob Derschang is a player-of-the-year candidate, and he will lead Cherry Creek's charge to bring the title to Greenwood Village. League newcomer Arapahoe could contend, but the Warriors lost their top two scorers from last year. Still, Arapahoe has a strong midfield and always seem to find its way deep into the postseason. Eaglecrest is young and inexperienced, but the Raptors hope to be competitive behind their midfield of Cayler Pritchard and Francisco Flores.

Colorado Springs Metro

Favorite: Liberty

Contenders: Air Academy

Top players: Martin Aguilar, Liberty, Sr.; Zach Davis, Pine Creek, Jr.; Brice Holiday, Coronado, Sr.; Scott Kisling, Liberty, Jr.; Jason Lemon, Coronado, Jr.; Erich Marscheider (GK), Pine Creek, So.; Andre Nemechek, Liberty, Sr.; Javier Salome, Liberty, Sr.; Kory Spencer, Liberty, Sr.; Danny Taschorn, Coronado, Sr.; Ryan Warren, Liberty, Sr.; Zach Wiese, Pine Creek, Jr.

Outlook: Five-time state champion Liberty makes the move up from 4A and immediately becomes a contender for the big-school state title. The Lancers bring back nine starters from a team that lost in overtime of the 4A semifinals last year, including all-state selections Javier Salome and Scott Kisling. Pine Creek is also making a move up and should make a run at a playoff spot. After finishing .500 last year, Coronado is looking to get to the playoffs. The Cougars should be strong on defense. Palmer is reloading, having lost 22 players to graduation after last season.

Continental

Favorite: Rangeview

Contenders: Regis Jesuit, Ponderosa, Heritage

Top players: Davey Armstrong, Rangeview, Jr.; Jordan Brown, Douglas County, Sr.; Josh Euell, Rangeview, Sr.; John Ikard, Heritage, Sr.; Taylor Kemp, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Chris Klebecko, Ponderosa, Sr.; Kyle Kreutzer, Rangeview, Sr.; Andrew Love, Ponderosa, Sr.; Dirk MacDonald, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Nic Mucabito, Mountain Vista, Jr.; Matt Nier, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Logan Pierson, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Brad Rich, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; Levi Rossi, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Jorge Sanchez, Rangeview, Sr.; Travis Sytsmon, Heritage, Jr.; John Thompson, Douglas County, Sr.; Jordan Tinaglia, Heritage, Sr.

Outlook: Rangeview took eventual champion Smoky Hill to double overtime in the semifinals last season, and the Raiders are hungry for another shot. Led by standout junior forward Davey Armstrong, Rangeview has the talent to win it all. Regis Jesuit brings back 15 players, including eight starters, and could be a major factor this season. Seniors Levi Rossi and Matt Nier combined to score 18 goals last year and should be one of the top offensive duos in the league. Heritage is coming off a .500 season and had seven contests go into overtime, finishing with five ties. If the Eagles can turn those into victories, they can challenge for a top finish. Mountain Vista will be young, with only two seniors and three juniors, but should be fun to watch. Ponderosa is bolstered by the call up of a lot of juniors who were undefeated at the junior varsity level last season. Mustangs coach Jim Engels calls it the best team he's had in eight years. Despite coming off a down year, Douglas County expects to be in the postseason. Highlands Ranch also hopes to be much improved, and the return of two seniors who missed last season because of injuries should help.

Denver Prep

Favorite: Denver East

Contenders: Lincoln, Denver South

Top players: Zach Bolden, Denver East, Jr.; Fernando Fierro, Lincoln, Sr.; Mouhammad Gaye, Denver South, Sr.; Matt Goellner, Denver South, Sr.; Zach Grossnickel, Denver East, Sr.; Oscar Montoya, Lincoln, Jr.; Grant Simon (GK), Denver East, Sr.; Carlos Uribe, Denver South, So.

Outlook: The league should be quite competitive this season, and several teams have a chance to be a factor, not only in the league but in the postseason, as well. Denver East gets the early nod, having been the benchmark program in the league for years. The Angels are coming off one of their most successful postseasons in several seasons and are looking to make another run. Their spot in the playoffs isn't a given, though, as Denver South and Lincoln both should make strong runs at grabbing one of the two available berths. Denver South is led by Mouhammad Gaye, who could be one of the top offensive players in the league, and Matt Goellner, who will anchor the Rebels defense. Lincoln has a ton of talent, including several players who were members of the Chivas Under-16 team that recently captured a state title during the club season.

Front Range

Favorite: Boulder

Contenders: Legacy, Poudre, Rocky Mountain, Horizon, Mountain Range

Top players: Tesha Akindele, Northglenn, Jr.; Jake Applegate, Horizon, Sr.; Greg Budraitis, Legacy, Sr.; Christian Caruso, Mountain Range, Jr.; Chris Coupres (GK), Fort Collins, Jr.; Jake Donnelly, Legacy, Sr.; Raul Elias, Fort Collins, Sr.; Chris Field, Legacy, Sr.; Andre Gonzales, Horizon, So.; Nick Gonzales, Mountain Range, Sr.; Marc Herschberger, Northglenn, Sr.; Adam Hinkelman, Boulder, Sr.; Jeff Hirsch, Boulder, Sr.; Will Jacobi, Poudre, Sr.; Chris Kading, Northglenn, Sr.; Blake Lacroix, Horizon, Sr.; Dalton Madsen, Northglenn, Sr.; Alex Nass, Poudre, Sr.; Cole Nielson, Mountain Range, Jr.; Martin Orona, Boulder, Sr.; Chris Reagan, Legacy, Sr.; Dillon Serna, Horizon, Fr.; Gary Seville (GK), Fort Collins, Jr.; Sam Tucker, Legacy, Sr.; Danny Westcott, Poudre, Sr.

Outlook: Legacy and Poudre finished tied with a 7-1 league mark last season, but the Lightning earned the league's top seed after knocking off the Impalas 1-0 late in the season. Those two teams should remain near the top again this season. Legacy features three four-year starters in Chris Reagan, Chris Field and Greg Budraitis. Poudre brings back the league's co-player of the year in Alex Nass, and he will team with Will Jacobi to be one of the top offensive duos in the league. Boulder, a newcomer to the league, is coming off its best season in school history, finishing second in the Centennial League. The Panthers bring back eight starters, including a veteran defensive unit and will make a run at the league title. Fort Collins has two top-flight keepers, and the Lambkins stingy defense should have them ready for another postseason run. After posting 10 wins last season, Horizon hopes to challenge for the league title this year. The Hawks will be solid in goal with senior Jake Applegate, who posted five shutouts in 2007. Mountain Range joins the fray and the Mustangs bring a lot of offense with them, including junior Christian Caruso, who was one of 4A's leading scorers last season. Northglenn has one of the top scorers in the league in senior Marc Herschberger, and he should have the Norse in contention.

Jefferson County

Favorite: Chatfield

Contenders: Pomona, Ralston Valley

Top players: J.B. Ashmore, Standley Lake, Sr.; Eric Berglund, Standley Lake, Sr.; Kyle Burns, Pomona, Sr.; Clay Brynestad, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Colin Eber-Coe, Pomona, Jr.; Dave Eden, Standley Lake, Sr.; Dillon Hall, Chatfield, Sr.; Billy LeGrecca, Chatfield, Sr.; Cory Loupee, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; Steve Maury, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; Tony Moore, Pomona, Sr.; Leon Ramirez, Ralston Valley, Sr.; Ryan Rombach, Chatfield, Sr.; Skylar Roy, Dakota Ridge, Sr.

Outlook: Chatfield remains the team to beat, and the Chargers should have the talent to make another deep postseason run. Pomona made it to the second round of the playoffs last year, a spot the Panthers would like to get past this season. They bring back leading scorer Kyle Burns and should make another run at the postseason. Ralston Valley is playing up in 5A for the first time, and the Mustangs hope to be a factor. Standley Lake returns a veteran squad, including four-year starter Dave Eden in goal. Dakota Ridge will be paced offensively by Cory Loupee, who has averaged nearly eight goals a season during his career.

Skyline

Favorite: Brighton

Contenders: Westminster, Hinkley, Aurora Central

Top players: Alex Erger, Brighton, Jr.; Javier Hernandez, Westminster, Sr.; Jose Guerrero, Westminster, Jr.; Nhia Lee, Westminster, Sr.; Omar Osorio, Westminster, Sr.; Mykol Sostarich, Brighton, Sr.; Carlos Valvelde, Brighton, Sr.

Outlook: Brighton brings back six starters from a team that reached double digits in wins last year, meaning the Bulldogs should battle for the league title and one of the two playoff spots. Westminster and Ranum combined to form the Westminster Wolves this season, and they could be a wild card in the race for the playoffs. Westy increased its win total for the second consecutive season, while Ranum was loaded with young players. If they can come together as a unit, the Wolves might surprise some people.

Southwestern

Favorite: Durango

Contenders: Grand Junction, Grand Junction Central, Fruita Monument

Top players: Dustin Geist, Durango, Sr.; Marc Morris (GK), Durango, Sr.; Kellen Ryan, Grand Junction, Sr.; Casey Stewart, Durango, Sr.

Outlook: Durango made it all the way to the semifinals last year, and the Demons should remain formidable this season. Dustin Geist and Nick Hoffman provide a good 1-2 punch up top, while Casey Stewart anchors the defense in front of Marc Morris, who's one of the top keepers in the classification.

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