Published: 12:00 AM, Wed Sep 08, 2010
High school boys' soccer preview capsules
Mid-South 4-A
Jack Britt
Coach: Pete Briley
2009 record: 14-7-3
Top players returning: Brandon Godwin Jr., GK; Jonathon Goffredi So., MF; Steven Grimes Sr., D; Chris Maxwell Sr., D; Jordan Clark Jr., D; Corey Croegaert Jr., D; Carter Creech Jr., MF/F; Rodney Anderson Jr., MF; Josh Paul Jr., MF; Cory Maxwell Jr., MF; Daniel Camps Jr., F.
Top newcomers: None
Coach's outlook: "If we are able to build off of our momentum from last season, we will have a chance to be successful this year. We have a tough schedule, which should help us prepare for the tough conference games this season."
South View
Coach: Bryan Pagan
2009 record: 5-14-1
Top players returning: Dillon Harless Jr., MF; Derek Roddy, So., GK; Thomas Haddow-Green, Jr.,D; Kyle Warfel, So., MF
Top newcomers: Vanderson Anderson, Sr., F; Jeff Stanley, Jr., D; Luis Lanto, Jr., F; Jeff Zeledon, Sr., F
Coach's outlook: "This season will be challenging considering new leadership and quite a few newcomers. We will be competitive in our conference and will work hard to make the playoffs."
E.E Smith
Coach: Marvin Andrade
2009 record: 5-11
Top players returning: Wayne James, Sr., MF; Eddie Stokes, Sr., MF; Jonathan Sandoval-Ortiz, So., F.
Top Newcomers: Marquez Ensey So., F; Marshall Law, So., D.
Coach's outlook: "Our team is young and we are looking forward to the upcoming season."
Terry Sanford
Coach: CJ Komons
2009 record: 17-5-1
Top players returning: Justin Lopes, Sr., MF; Kemji Nwosu, Sr., F; Tiger Court, Jr., MF; Mark Sears, So., MF; Brian Engle, So., D.
Top newcomers: Charles Jones, Fr., MF; Bowen McRainey, Sr., GK.
Coach's outlook: "I am very excited for this year. We have a strong returning squad with a ton of potential. As long as we remain healthy and strong, I will be very confident in our success this season."
Cape Fear
Coach: John Callahan
2009 record: 12-11 overall, 8-4 Conference
Top players returning: Troy Beckham, Sr., F; Mychal Elliott, Sr., MF; Ethan Hogeland, Sr., MF; Drew Nichols, Sr., D; Ryan Bullock, Sr., MF; Jonathon Arrendondo, Sr., D.
Top newcomers: Jesus Castro, Jr., F; Jordan Jacob, So., MF; Aaron Smith, So, MF.
Coach's outlook: "We need to continue to build on last season's successes and learn from every match."
Seventy-First
Coach: Ryan MacCredie
2009 record: 9-9-0
Top players returning: Anthony Bennett, Sr., F; Kevin Ruppert, Jr., MF/D; Greg Fenn, Sr., GK/F/D
Top newcomers: Drew Douglas, So., F; Rodrick Edwards, Jr., MF
Coach's outlook: "We have a promising group this year. As long as everyone plays at the top of their game, we can really succeed this year. We've only lost in close games where we make mental mistakes. We have to work at getting the shots on frame in the net and match our defense's speed with opponent's offense."
Pine Forest
Coach: Isaac Rancour
2009 record: 8-15
Top players returning: Chris Ryan, Sr., MF; Corey Moore, Sr., F; Josh Hill, Jr., D; Ryan Shabram, Sr., GK.
Top newcomers: Trevor Hendricks, Fr., MF; Robert Reid, So., D.
Coach's outlook: "This year the team has a positive attitude and a drive to win. The youth of the team brings excitement and high energy while the senior leadership brings stability. This combination makes Pine Forest a great team to watch."
Cape Fear Valley 3-A
Gray's Creek
Coach: Rick Kaiser
2009 record: 15-8-0
Top players returning: Chris Tuton, Sr., MF; Stephen Nalls, Jr., MF; Matt Legette, Jr., F; Jared Kaiser, Jr., F; Jonathan Cribb, Sr., MF.
Top newcomers: Parker Hoyt, So., MF; Andrew Brassard, Jr., GK; Vadim Santiago, So., D.
Coach's outlook: "We have a good group of midfielders and forwards returning and we have a lot of new faces on defense. If we stay focused and organized we should challenge for the conference this year."
Douglas Byrd
Coach: Nick Capps
2009 record: 4-15
Top players returning: Josh Bostick, Sr., D; Nathan Sylvester, Sr., D; Shane Cashwell, Sr., MF; Andrew Burdine, Sr., MF; Artan Rama, Jr., F; Sam Blanco, So., F.
Top newcomers: Justice Brown, Jr., D; James Daniel, Fr., F.
Coach's outlook: "I believe that this will be a successful year both on the field and off. There are a lot of returners with four years of high school varsity soccer experience. Overall, the team is working well together and having fun."
Westover
Coach: Melody Simpson
2009 record: 0-16
Top players returning: Carlos Lugo, Sr., D; Sean Hernandez, Jr., MF; Edmond Agyapong, Jr., D; Joseph Salas, Jr., MF.
Top newcomers: Alex Soto, Sr., D; Ricardo Carrasquillo, Jr., D; James Neal, Jr., MF.
Coach's outlook: "A couple of years ago, we didn't field a team. We are still rebuilding the program here at Westover and with this group of guys we are sure to start something great."
Private Schools
Fayetteville Christian
Coach: Phillip Clause
2009 record: 11-10-2
Top players returning: Sean Taggart, Sr., MF; Emmanuel Osei, Sr., MF; Andrew Brown, So., D; Kiyoan Bae, So., F.
Top newcomers: Michael Kontio, So., MF; Adam Yow, So., MF.
Coachs' outlook: "This year we have a very young team. Even though we have lost a lot of players, we haven't let that affect our mindset. We have a great group of guys that have the potential to do great things now and in the future."
Fayetteville Academy
Coach: Andrew McCarthy
2009 record: 15-4-2
Top players returning: Jack Walsh Sr., MF; Hunter Bigler Jr., F; Sam Williams Jr., GK; Luke Godwin Jr., MF; Evan Lobeto Sr., F; Robert Maughan, Sr., D; Douglas Cameron So., D.
Top newcomers: Cameron Davidson, Jr., D; Robbie Hardie, Jr., MF; OB Nobles Sr., D.
Coach's outlook: "We are looking forward to an exciting season. We have a great group of lads who have worked very hard throughout the summer. They are a fun group to coach and we look forward to the challenges ahead of us."
Village Christian Academy
Coach: Harold Morrison Jr.
2009 record: 12-10-1
Top players returning: Daniel Morrison, Sr., MF; Cameron Monroe, Jr., MF; DJ Collins, Jr., D; Alex Mostella, Jr., D; Samuel Vestal, Fr., MF; Ed Carroll, Sr., MF.
Top newcomers: Cody Jones, Jr., GK; Giuseppe Coppola, Jr., F; Nathan Ennis, Jr., F; Alec Powers, Jr., D.
Coach's outlook: "Village will look to reload, after losing 11 seniors from last year's team. A chance for a new group of guys to leave their mark on the soccer community."