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| Monday, August 18, 2008 | (No comments posted.)
DUNELAND ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
CHESTERTON
Players to watch: Cole Galloway, Jr., F; Brian Seawright, Sr., D; Brandon Garvey, Jr., D; Mark Gore, Jr., MF.
Outlook: The Trojans could be quicker than last year's state runner-up squad. Galloway was the team's second-leading scorer last year, and Seawright is one of the area's better defensive players.
Quote: "Our guys had an incredible offseason, and they are really taking on this challenge." -- coach Jamie Sensibaugh
CROWN POINT
Players to watch: Jake Tasher, Jr., MF; James Steriovski, Sr., D; Silvestre Lomeli, Jr., MF; Daniel Relinski, So., MF, Mike Lipton, Sr., F.
Outlook: Coach Jeff Fairbairn moves over from Merrillville to take the reins of the Bulldogs' program that posted a respectable 10-7-1 (3-4 DAC) record. Crown Point is a sleeping giant in Lake County, but it might take Fairbairn a year or so to get his charges contending for championships.
Quote: "Our goal is to continue to improve as a soccer team throughout the course of the season and be able to compete with the teams of a competitive Duneland Athletic Conference." -- Fairbairn
LAKE CENTRAL
Players to watch: Geoffrey Bowman, Sr., D; Tony Halterman, Sr., GK; Evan Rydlewski, Sr., D; Steven Ragan, Sr., MF; Chad Rigg, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Indians will be a veteran team as coach Jereme Rainwater welcomes back 12 seniors from last year's 14-5-2 squad that lost to eventual state runner-up Chesterton in a semistate semifinal. Lake Central will battle for the DAC crown, but Rainwater knows it will be a tough task.
Quote: "There will be high and low points to our season. How we deal with the low points will determine our fate." -- coach Jereme Rainwater
MERRILLVILLE
Players to watch: Ryan Stokes, Sr., F; Tyler Roarrk, Sr., D; Andrew Goralczyk, Sr., MF; Romeo Harper, Sr., D; Mike Enghofer, Jr., F; Keith Wachter, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Pirates should be solid once again with eight returning starters from last year's team that went 7-11-1. Stokes leads the returnees with 22 goals. Most of the seniors were thrown into the fire as sophomores, which should pay off this season.
Quote: "We have the pieces of the puzzle, and now we're trying to see how they fit together. Right now, I never want to overestimate, but I'm cautiously optimistic." -- coach Brian Past
PORTAGE
Players to watch: Andy Austin, Sr., MF; Joe Higgins, Sr., F; Jeff Melton, Sr., MF/F.
Outlook: The key this season will be the play at midfield. Coach Todd Strom is looking for the right pieces to fit that puzzle.
Quote: "We're going to play a little more direct this year." -- Strom
VALPARAISO
Players to watch: Torrey Brock, Sr., F; Kyle Brietenbach, Sr., F; Gerrad Ackright, Jr., MF, Max VanHouten, Sr., MF; Brian Webb Sr., MF
Outlook: The Vikings return a veteran squad, which is healthy at this point. The addition of foreign-exchange students Jose Pardes (Mexico) and Haji Mammadav (Azberijan) should bolster the lineup.
Quote: "We're really excited about this group. It's like our 2004 (state title team) with all of the depth we have. We're also big and fast." -- coach Danny Jeftich
NORTHWEST CROSSROADS CONFERENCE
ANDREAN
Players to watch: Pat Gorny, Sr., CMF; Joe Krilich, Sr., MF; Brian Keilman, Sr., D; John Gore, Jr., D; Grant Cooper, Jr., D; Tony Arvin, Jr., F; Marcos Perez, Jr., F.
Outlook: The 59ers return a solid nucleus from a two-time defending sectional champ that finished with a deceiving 4-12-3 mark. Andrean fell to semistate finalist Lake Central in overtime in the regional. Veteran coach Pete Reist lost only four players to graduation and will rely on captains Gorny, Krislich and Keilman to set the tone.
Quote: "We've got lots of experience. A lot of players have been through the wars and have big-game experience." -- coach Pete Reist
GRIFFITH
Players to watch: Zach Duvnjak, Sr., MF;; Matt Plawecki, Jr., MF; Jeff Melton, Sr., F; Dan Torok, Sr., GK; John Kantor, Jr., D; Ryan Voges, Jr., D; Kyle Terpstra, Jr., MF; Nick Bobowski, Jr., MF.
Outlook: The Panthers return 14 of 18 players from last year's squad that fashioned a 10-7 mark (3-3 NCC) and should contend for league crown. All-conference selections Duvnjak and Plawecki, both midfielders, lead the way.
Quote: "I think we will do well this year. With returning all those players we should be more composed and be able to put that experience to work." -- coach Ron Knestrict
HIGHLAND
Players to watch: Callum Walker, Sr., F; Joe Stiglitz, Sr., F; Evan Leyva, Sr., MF; Cavia Mead, Sr., MF; Zach Lubarski, Sr., D; Mike Shelton, Sr., D.
Outlook: Mirko Maric takes over the Trojans' program after 10 years at E.C. Central. Maric welcomes back 10 players who saw varsity time a year ago on a team that fell to Munster on penalty kicks in the sectional championship.
Quote: "You've got the conference championship to shoot for and then you've got the sectional. Those are the two main goals." -- Maric
HOBART
Players to watch: Steve Karantaglidis, Jr., F; Craig Wilusz, Sr., GK; Johnny Dillon, Sr., D; Drake Hengstebeck, Sr., D; Cory Meacham, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Brickies will be looking for more consistency as coach Jack Allendorf has 20 players to work with from a 3-14 squad. If Hobart can build on some momentum in the early part of the season, it should be more competitive.
Quote: "We're coming together here in the preseason and getting our confidence. Last year we had a little lack of confidence, but we're taking care of that. They're feeling a little more comfortable with what they're doing." -- coach Jack Allendorf
KANKAKEE VALLEY
Players to watch: Greg Boer, Sr. F/MF; Ryan Kikkert, Sr., D; Micah Shaefer, Jr., F; Bo VanderWoude, So., F; Dakota Dellahan, So., D.
Outlook: The Kougars will have to defend their Lowell Sectional title without 14 players lost to graduation from a 12-7-1 squad. K.V. should be solid on defense, and a lot of players have improved their shooting ability.
Quote: "Our weakest point is going to be in the middle. We'll see what happens, but we'll move some forwards up." -- coach Duane VanderWoude
LOWELL
Players to watch: Matt Berkos Sr., MF; Nate Hess Sr., F; Derik Burgans Sr., GK; John Ison So., D.
Outlook: Chris Werling takes over the helm of the Red Devils and will be greeted by 11 players who saw a lot of varsity time last season. Lowell went 5-11-2 last year, losing to K.V. in the sectional.
Quote: "We have a good core of returning players from last year with a mix of hard-working newcomers that have the potential to do some good things this year." -- coach Chris Werling
MUNSTER
Players to watch: Chris Ruiz, Sr., MF; Jeff Lucas, Sr., MF; Jess Clark, So., G; Derrick Carlson, Jr., MF; Marcus Alfonsi, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Mustangs finished the 2007 campaign 14-3-3 after falling to Lake Central 1-0 on penalty kicks in the regional championship. Munster went 6-0 in the NCC last year and will battle Griffith, Highland and Andrean for supremacy this season.
Quote: "We realize we have a difficult schedule, and we may get beat up a little bit. But the main thing is to try to prepare us for the big picture." -- coach Jim Prasopoulous
GREAT LAKES ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
HAMMOND
Players to watch: Armando Tirado, Jr., F; Jose Alvardo, Jr., MF; Juan Pina, Sr., D; Alex Patino, Jr., D
Outlook: New coach William Rojas has a young, but hard-working team that began conditioning early in the summer. The Wildcats, with just two seniors, might be a year away from becoming a very good team. Rojas has been impressed by the players' dedication.
Quote: "I believe this year we will be pretty good. They will win more games than last year. Next year, with all those seniors, they will be a lot better." -- Rojas
CLARK
Players to watch: Narciso Cuevas, Sr., MF/F; Paulinno Cortes, Jr., MF; Juan Lopez, Sr., F; Victor Garcia, So., D/ML.
Outlook: The Pioneers return 13 players from last year's 15-3 squad that fell to Bishop Noll in the E.C. Central Sectional final. Alejandro Alvarez takes over as coach and believes his team can compete for the GLAC and sectional crowns.
Quote: "I expect our team to do well. I expect to win our conference and do well in sectionals." -- Alvarez
MORTON
Players to watch: Angelo Padilla, Sr., D; Nickk Bogucki, So., D; Oziel Rosales, Sr., MF; Aaron Moreno, Sr., MF; Joey Ramirez, So., MF; Alex Lopez, Sr., F; Israel Rosillo, So., F.
Outlook: The Governors will try to improve on a 2-13-1 mark of a year ago with 15 players back in the fold. Morton will battle for the GLAC crown and look to pull off an upset in the Munster Sectional.
Quote: "We're working to become the best team of the five in Hammond." -- coach Chris Jagadich
GAVIT
Players to watch: Joe Rodriguez, Jr., D; Kyle Pittman, Jr., F; Aaron Saldivar, Sr., F; Adan Saldivar, Jr., D; Amaury Martinez, Sr., MF; Esteban Rodriguez, Jr., D.
Outlook: There's nowhere to go but up for the Gladiators after an 0-15 campaign in 2007. First-year coach Joe Pawlus is pleased with what he's seen so far of his 25-man squad. He's working them into shape which should help produce a few wins.
Quote: "We should win some games. How many? It's going to be up to them." -- coach Joe Pawlus
GREATER SOUTH SHORE CONFERENCE
BISHOP NOLL
Players to watch: Andrew Ramker, Sr., MF; Alberto Anguiano, Jr., MF; Quinn Cloghessy, Jr., F; Brandon Salazar, Jr., D; Andrew DeWolf, Jr., MF; Chris Lorenz, Jr., MF; John Wilson, Jr., GK.
Outlook: The Warriors will be young with just one senior but will look to defend their sectional title. Noll went 11-5-2 and will build its team around Ramker and Anguiano. If the young players can mature in a hurry, the Warriors will contend for the sectional crown.
Quote: "I've made it pretty simple for them on the field. It's just a matter of them getting comfortable with what we're doing." -- coach Armando Garza
WHEELER
Players to watch: Chris Walla, Sr., D/S; Tony Ferrara, Jr., MF; Andy Cooksey, Sr., MF.
Outlook: Mitchell Voss will just concentrate on place-kicking duties with the football team this season, so the Bearcats need to fill some holes.
Quote: "We're fresh up front, but I have confidence in our kids." -- coach John Hutchins
PORTER COUNTY CONFERENCE
BOONE GROVE
Players to watch: Nick DiMarco, Sr., D; Trevor Spangenberg, Sr., G; Mike Maloney, Sr., S.
Outlook: The Wolves have some key components back from last year's league championship team. Mitch Aguilera, Matt Malone and Ben Salano will be asked to pick up some of the slack lost by graduation.
Quote: "I think a lot of teams will be gunning for us." -- coach Brian Sherwin
HEBRON
Outlook: The Hawks look to continue to build and become a competitive part of the conference.
KOUTS
Outlook: Like Morgan Twp., the Mustangs begin their first year of varsity play. The key will be experiences gained by playing at the junior varsity level during past campaigns.
HANOVER CENTRAL
Players to watch: Shawn Krager, So., F; Brent Austgen, Sr., MF; Dan Elboar, Sr., D; Steve Hough, So., MF; Charlie Sawyer, So., F.
Outlook: The Wildcats return a good but young nucleus to a team that went 8-9 last season in the program's fifth year of existence. Four or five seniors are included in the 15 returning players.
Quote: "It's going to be a good mix. It's just a matter of how they jell. In the midfield, we should have plenty of speed." -- coach Steve Krager
MORGAN TWP.
Players to watch: David Sheets, Sr., MF; Steven Sharp, Sr., F; Zack Marvel, Sr., MF.
Outlook: The Cherokees have 26 players on the roster, so numbers aren't an issue. Coach Todd Syren believes his players are ready for this new varsity experience.
Quote: "The kids have really pushed themselves. Some kids need to be pushed, but these guys do it themselves." -- Syren
Others
E.C. CENTRAL
Players to watch: Marco Torres, Sr., F; Maurico Mata, Sr., MF; Victor Lozano, So., GK; Cristobal Mireles, Sr., D; Wilmer Moreno, Sr., MF.
Outlook: The Cardinals will be looking for their first sectional crown, and it's one of the goals of coach Costulo Perez, who moved over from Clark. Two players, Moreno and Lozano, played on a club soccer team that won a state cup over the summer. Perez is an E.C. Central graduate.
Quote: "Like every season, I go in hoping to win sectional. The sectional is held at our school, so we'd like to keep it there. We'd like to bring a sectional title to East Chicago for the first time." -- Perez
RENSSELAER
Players to watch: Nick Peterson, Sr., F; Cody Schultz, Sr., MF; Tyler Skinner, Sr., MF; Steffen Gastineau, Jr., G; Chris Hamel, Sr.; Randy Zeller, Jr., Justin Cook, So.; Clay Mattocks, So.
Outlook: The Bombers return 14 players from last year's team that posted a 4-10 record (2-5 Hoosier Conference), including goalkeeper Steffen Gastineau, who missed several games with an injury.
Quote: "The boys have been playing all summer, but we'll find out the week of Sept. 18. We have three games, one is a conference match, one is a sectional team and the other has given us trouble in the past." -- coach Mike Hopkins
WESTVILLE
Players to watch: James Martin, Sr., MF; Jason Heckman, Sr., MF; Ken Rager, Sr. G.
Outlook: The Blackhawks were a win away from the .500 mark last year, and the team continues to improve. Rager posted five shutouts last year, while Martin led the team with 13 goals.
Quote: "We have some stability with some of quality players back. It could be an interesting season." -- coach Brian Tonn
-- Compiled by Christopher Breach and Jim Hunsley
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