HS SOCCER: Schuylkill League boys' soccer preview capsules

Sep. 5—DIVISION I

Blue Mountain

Head coach: Chris Brauer (4th season)

Last season: 17-5, 11-1 D-I. Division I champion, Schuylkill League champion, District 11 Class 3A runner-up

Returnees: Pablo Colindres (sr.), Cayden Gavalis (sr.), Dalton Riegel (sr.), Colin Seefeldt (sr.), Dylan Smerlick (sr.), Robert Antonini (jr.), Aiden Fogarty (jr.), Ryan Mundy (jr.), Shawn Batory (soph.), Owen Gretzky (soph.)

Newcomers: Josh Dewald (jr.), Nick Driscoll (jr.), Shawn Hertzog (jr.), Cole Leibold (jr.), Braiden McGhee (jr.), Evan Raudenbush (jr.), Cael Rickard (jr.), George Waschko (jr.), Kevin Wakefield (soph.), Robert Bowitz (fr.), Andrew Waschko (fr.)

Outlook: Blue Mountain's outlook is always good. Despite the loss of Republican Herald Player of the Year Aiden Valentine (46 goals, 12 assists), Torrin Rabenstein (10 assists) and keeper D.J. Burkhard (six shutouts), the Eagles remain as one of the strong favorites for the league title.

Jim Thorpe

Head coach: Michael Dudak (6th season)

Last season: 12-5-3, 7-2-3 D-I, District 11 3A semifinalist

Returnees: Dawson Meckes (sr.), Jacob Geiser (sr.), Ivan Turczeniuk (sr.)

Newcomers: Rowan Melber (sr.), Caleb Cruz (sr.), Devon Frantz (fr.), Conor Holland (fr.)

Outlook: For the second consecutive season, the Olympians sustained some serious graduation losses. However, the program has established itself in a strong way and the Olympians should once again be among the teams to beat in Division I. Meckes, Turczeniuk and Geiser present a strong core for senior leadership.

Lehighton

Head coach: Dave Yob (13th season)

Last season: 6-10-2, 2-8-2 D-I

Returnees: Mason Marchessault (sr.), Matt Sofranko (sr.), A.J. Light (sr.), Levi Monk (sr.), Nick Zeigenfuss (sr.), Daniel Hoppes (sr.), Trent Dorward (sr.), Connor McDonough (sr.), Nic Yaro (sr.), Bryce Miller (soph.), Jaxson Strauss (soph.), Lucas Nichols (soph.), Mason Nailor (soph.), Jacib Anthony (soph.)

Newcomers: Jacob Hall (jr.), Avery Hosler (jr.), Gabe Reed (soph.), Lincoln Rivera (soph.), Shawn Tomsic (soph.), Jesse Waksmunski (soph.), Kai Salles (soph.), Phillip Ebbert (fr.), Cameron Fisher (fr.), Ever Schaeffer (fr.), Connor Dugan (fr.), C.J. Strohl (fr.), Austin Flynn (fr.)

Outlook: A veteran group has the Indians looking forward to good things. Top five scorers return, led by Marchessault (13 goals, two assists). Also back is the entire defense, led by Miller (152 saves) in goal. Team goals include the fourth winning season in program history and earning victory No. 100 for head coach Dave Yob, who entered the season with 95 career wins.

North Schuylkill

Head coaches: Mike Skubel (2nd season)

Last season: 6-11, 2-10 D-I

Returnees: Angel Arroyo (sr.), Braydon Kessler (sr.), Haden Wagner (sr.), Noel Drum (jr.), Joey Cuthie (jr.), Carson Boyle (jr.), Brady Eisenhart (jr.), Brady Welker (soph.)

Newcomers: Emanuele Bagnosco (jr.), Austin Corrigan (soph.), Logan Walacavage (fr.), Wyatt Zendrosky (fr.), Aaron Brayford (fr.), Zack Marcinowski (fr.)

Outlook: Year 2 of the North Schuylkill-Minersville co-op and the team is experienced and hungry but will still need some young players to step up. Should improve on last year's record. A district playoff berth is a possibility.

Pine Grove

Head coach: Marvin Weber (3rd season)

Last season: 13-7-1, 9-2-1 D-I. Division I wild card, Schuylkill League runner-up, District 11 Class AA qualifier

Returnees: Nick Harner (sr.), Haydn Williams (sr.), Brett McCormick (sr.), Tavian Frey (sr.), Sterling Kohr (sr.), Trey Kolb (sr.), Brent Yoder (sr.), Bryce Shollenberger (sr.), Josh Tobin (sr.), Bryce Miller (sr.), Garrett Brandt (sr.), Quinn Brommer (soph.), Nathan Frankenfield (soph.), Gino Pompei (soph.), Damon Seiverling (soph.)

Newcomers: Chase Fraley (sr.), William Hall (sr.), Coen Zerbe (jr.), Ian Flemming (jr.), Jacob Catranis (soph.), Gage Cleary (soph.), Alexander Dubbs (soph.), Kale Lengle (soph.), Jacob Warner (soph.), Isaiah Thompson (soph.), Bradley Klinger (sr.), Blake Frantz (sr.)

Outlook: Cards lost leading scorers Ethan Hannevig and Hunter Deichert, who combined for 28 goals and eight assists, to graduation, along with keeper Landon Schaeffer, who posted seven shutouts. Still, plenty of talent and a very deep roster returns to the fold, which should allow Pine Grove to once again compete for league and district honors.

Pottsville

Head coach: Zachary Reichert (3rd season)

Last season: 6-11-1, 4-7-1 D-I

Returnees: Nicholas Giuffre (sr.), Xander Hirsch (sr.), Aiden Kostyal (sr.), Tyler Shappell (sr.), Dylan Strokelitus (sr.), Brandon Woolam (sr.), Aidan Bierman (soph.), Gavin Woodward (soph.)

Newcomers: Wyatt Masser (jr.), Vincent Prestileo (fr.), Logan Hable (jr.), Brayden Miller (sr.), William Davis (fr.)

Outlook: Leading scorer Tyler Shappell is back for his senior season to lead the charge for a Tide team looking to regain a place among the Division I elite. In order to improve on last season's finish, young players will need to mature quickly and contribute.

Tamaqua

Head coach: Jim McCabe (1st season)

Roster: Cooper Ansbach (soph.), Jack Tharp (jr.), Jesse Gormley (jr.), Stephen Behun (jr.), Mason MacMillan (soph.), Jason Walker (jr.), Gus Pereda (jr.), Jathan Krall (jr.), Jonathan Ulicny (sr.), Tegan Devlin (sr.), William Behun (fr.), Nicholas Barron (soph.), Aaron Rolko (sr.), Larsen Hudak (fr.), Alec Nattress (sr.), Kevin Bazan (jr.), Ethan DiBonifazio (jr.), Aiden Schlier (soph.), Wyatt Steigerwalt (jr.), Timothy Berg (jr.), Thomas Graham (fr.), John Nakata (sr.), Zac Yenser (soph.), Chase Behr (fr.), Zane Lare (fr.), Evan Basrawi, Jacob Schlier (sr.)

DIVISION II

Lourdes

Head coach: Earl Reed (3rd season)

Last season: 6-10-2, 4-4-2 D-II

Returnees: Layth Kanafani (sr.), Gavin Kodack (sr.), Robert Watkins (sr.), Ben DeManicor (sr.), Lucas Weikel (sr.), Cole Pancher (sr.), Alex Hughes (sr.), Owen Sandri (jr.), Andrew Nguyen (soph.)

Newcomers: Kyle Baranoski (soph.), Brayden Brinkash (soph.), Hobi Forti (soph), Brady Schoch (soph.)

Outlook: For the first time in a number of seasons, depth will be a strength for Reed's Red Raiders with 27 players on the roster. Kanafani and Kodack were both first-team all-league selections last year and should provide quality senior leadership. Replacing graduated goalie Tyler Novack is likely the team's No. 1 challenge. An improvement over last season's overall record is likely for a program that seems to be rising.

Marian

Head coach: Robert Campomizzi (1st season)

Last season: Competed non-league at the junior varsity level.

Roster: Ian Mikita (sr.), Hunter Gallagher (sr.), Josh Vallabel (jr.), Anthony Macario-Chakalis (jr.), Nathaniel Rosario (jr.), Abraham Cabrera (soph.), Nuredin Gjoca (soph.), Edison Mitchell (fr.), Ayden Barclay (fr.), Jaysen Workheiser (fr.), Jacob Tom (fr.)

Outlook: With only 11 players on the roster, it should be the Colts' goal to gain experience and improve as much as possible.

Nativity

Head coach: Ed Burke (6th season)

Last season: 16-5, 9-1 D-II. Division II co-champions with Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill League semifinalist, District 11 qualifier.

Returnees: Ethan Grabowski (jr.), Jesus Meza (sr.), Michael Kadziela (jr.), Brad Monjaraz (jr.), Dillon Teter (soph.), Johnny Burke (soph.), Cole Wagner (jr.), Ayden Zamudio (soph.), Joan' Menjivar (soph.), Nolan Kokitus (jr.)

Newcomers: Antonio Ruiz (fr.), Pat Zentella (jr.), Chriz Meza (fr.), Spencer Mathers (jr.), Dylan Higgins (jr.), Dante Garcia (soph.), Kevin Gasca (fr.)

Outlook: Zamudio (19 goals), Kadziela (13 goals) and Grabowski (13 assists) give the Hilltoppers a very solid core as they look once again to finish atop Division II and even more look for an opportunity to earn the program's first overall league title.

Schuylkill Haven

Head coach: Andre Georgevic (2nd season)

Last season: 11-5, 9-1 D-II. Division II co-champion, District 11 Class A runner-up

Returnees: Reese Felty (sr.), Sean Coyle (sr.), Nathan Frederick (sr.), Kyle Lipp (sr.), Evan Leymeister (sr.), Aidan McKee (sr.), Logan Schaeffer (sr.), Bryce Umbenhaur (sr.), Mitch Zimmerman (sr.), Gavin Wade (jr.), Caleb Fanelli (jr.), Daeson Hasenauer (jr.), Dylan Lipp (jr.), Calvin Munster (jr.), Andrew Zimmerman (jr.), Luke Smith (soph.), Carter Daniel (soph.)

Newcomers: Damian Naranjo (jr.), Chase Fisher (soph.), Jaden Miller (soph.), Justin Watson (soph.), Daniel Fanelli (fr.), James Vilella (fr.), Bruce Stine (fr.), Matthew Angelo (fr.), Alex Koch (fr.)

Outlook: All-State selection Michael McGoey has graduated, taking his 25 goals with him. The Hurricanes, however, will be solid once again with a good veteran presence that includes returning all-league selections Felty, Zimmerman, Munster and Umbenhaur. Look for another run at a division crown and District 11 postseason honors.

Tri-Valley

Head coach: Leo Seidel (2nd season)

Last season: 6-5-1, 2-5-1 D-II

Returnees: Dawson High (sr.), Atticus Edwards (jr.), Alan Sherry (sr.), Ryan Weist (jr.), Truman Hillard (soph.), Brandan Mull (soph.), Bronson Reed (soph.), Lukas Ruch (soph.)

Newcomers: Caleb Dwight (sr.), Garett Leitzel (fr.), Brayden Leese (fr.), Ben Neiswender (fr.)

Outlook: The graduation of leading scorers Levi Umbenhauer (28 goals, eight assists) and Bryce Soles (16 goals, seven assists) presents openings for younger players to step up. The Bulldogs were a competitive team last season and should remain so again, although they are not likely to challenge for top honors.

Weatherly

Head coach: Kevin Kennedy (6th season)

Last season: 3-14-1, 1-7-1 D-II.

Returnees: Tanner Hinkle (jr.), Alex Rosenlund (soph.), Trent Higgins (soph.)

Newcomers: Mason Veasie (fr.)

Outlook: Wreckers may struggle to climb in what should be a very stout Division II this season.

Williams Valley

Head coach: Seth Shuey (20th season)

Last season: 2-15, 1-9 D-II

Returnees: Jayden Hechler (sr.), Juan Rosas (sr.), Nick Whitcomb (sr.), Jeffry Rautzahn (jr.), Travis Lebo (jr.), Aidan Barner (jr.), Cody Boehmer (soph.), Caylan Hoffman (soph).

Newcomers: Kaden Knoll (sr.), Collin Burger (fr.), Jouseph Tenecela (fr.), John Morales (fr.), Riley Meloy (soph.), John Rautzahn (fr.), Ethan Lebo (fr.), Christian Davis (fr.)

Outlook: The Vikes' rebuilding process can take a step forward this season with a solid roster, good numbers and a goal to reach the .500 mark.

Berks League

Hamburg

Head coach: Chris Zalasky (15th season)

Last season: 7-11, 3-9 Berks III

Returnees: Luke Bensinger (sr.), Tavian Parry (jr.), Isaac Krick (jr.), Joseph Martin (jr.), Connor Gruber (sr.)

Newcomers: None provided.

Outlook: Hawks improved their overall record last year, and the goal this year will be to move up in what is a very tough division.

Contact the writer: Lboyer@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6026; @pubsportsboss on Twitter