I have taken the liberty to "rip off" a section of
The State newspaper's Sports section that lists a Top 21 for football and men's basketball teams that make up the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference.
So, here goes the first Top 15 boys composite soccer rankings for South Carolina according to
http://www.scsoccer.com!
Note - this only includes teams that have actually competed in preseason tournaments.1. IRMO (3-1-0, 4A) -- The Yellow Jackets held serve against strong Palmetto State teams in the Lake Murray Soccer Challenge. Only loss was a penalty kick shootout to perennial Southeast power Walton-GA. Coach Phil Savitz's group should face strong competition from Dutch Fork in region action and against Spring Valley, Chapin, and Lexington in non-regon play.
2. SOCASTEE (4-0-0, 4A) -- The Braves blitzed the Carolina Soccer Classic field with a perfect record and outscored opponents 15-1. Socastee is loaded with upperclassmen and led by forward Kyle Murphy. Judging from their regular season slate, Coach Memo Suarez's squad could go undefeated if everyone is healthy.
3. NORTHWESTERN (3-1-0, 4A) -- The Trojans downed the defending Class 2A State Champions (Chapin) and Lower State Champions (Bishop England) en route to a 3-1-0 finish at the LMSC. Coach Nick Finotti's squad returns a bevy of lettermen from last season's 4A Upper State championship squad and should figure prominently all year.
4. SPRING VALLEY (3-1-0, 4A) -- Coach Dave Clark's team only blemish is a penalty kick shootout loss to Socastee in the CSC finals. The Vikings downed the 3A Lower State defending champion Myrtle Beach and current SCISA #1 Pinewood Prep at Mount Pleasant. Spring Valley is a veteran ballclub that should challenge for Region 3-4A honors.
5. DUTCH FORK (2-1-0, 4A) -- The Silver Foxes had a solid showing at the LMSC, but lost to defending 4A state champion and arch-rival Irmo (2-1), while edging Dorman in a shootout. Dutch Fork will take on 4A foes Richland Northeast and Lexington this week.
6. WANDO (3-1-0, 4A) -- New coach C.J. Rozzi's squad was surprised in the season opener vs. defending SCISA State Champion Porter-Gaud (1-0) at the Carolina Soccer Classic, but rebounded nicely for wins against Greenville, Summerville, and Brookland-Cayce. The Warriors have an inexperienced back line, but have enough depth to send this team deep into the postseason.
7. GREENVILLE (3-1-0, 3A) -- The Red Raiders completed the CSC with a 3-1 record and defeated defending 3A Lower State Champion Myrtle Beach 4-1 in a key early season classification matchup. Coach Warren Turner's team split 4A battles with Summerville (3-2 win) and Wando (1-3 loss), while downing defending SCISA champion Porter-Gaud (3-1 win).
8. BISHOP ENGLAND (1-1-1, 2A) -- The Battling Bishops shutout 4A Mauldin (2-0) and dropped a 0-1 decision to 4A Northwestern at the LMSC, while also recording a draw versus against huge Georgia's Walton (1-1). Coach Ed Khouri's team seems poised to reclaim the Class AA state title.
9. SOUTH AIKEN (2-1-0, 4A) -- The Thoroughbreds have the advantage when their club Aiken Fire players are in the lineup. However, this past weekend those players missed games on Saturday (due to a club obligation) and struggled to a 1-0 victory against RNE and lost 1-0 to Westmister, GA. Coach Paul Waters' side downed previously undefeated Hilton Head 3-1 in the championship of the Sandhills Soccer Classic.
10. RIDGE VIEW (2-0-1, 4A) -- Coach Kevin Darlington's Blazers are off to a 2-0-1 start with wins against 2A-ranked Pendleton and district rival Richland Northeast. RV also tied Lexington, but has been impressive in the exhibition season.
11. HILTON HEAD (2-1-0, 4A) -- The veteran Seahawks defeated Lexington and Pendleton in the Sandhills Soccer Classic before losing to South Aiken in the title match. With a new coach at HHHS, it will be interesting to see how the Seahawks defend their Region 8 title.
12. RIVERSIDE (1-0-0, 3A) -- First-year coach Dave Thureson inherits a proud Warrior squad that finished 18-3 a year ago. RHS defeated Spartanburg (3-1) in the Byrnes Preseason Invitational and will face 3A stalwarts Greenville and Eastside this week.
14. PINEWOOD PREP (2-2-0, SCISA) -- The Panthers, who are missing several of their key players due to other sport commitments, had a solid showing at the CSC. Pinewood Prep recorded wins against 4A James Island (4-1) and SCISA rival Porter-Gaud (2-0), while losing close battles to 3A Myrtle Beach (2-3) and 4A Spring Valley (2-3). The Panthers' international flavor does not go unnoticed, but compliments their home-grown talent very well.
15. EMERALD (2-0-1, 2A) -- The Vikings tied arch-rival Class 4A Greenwood (3-3) before disposing of Belton-Honea Path (9-0) and Palmetto (5-0). Coach Brad Nickles' squad will face a big test at Chapin on March 11.
