Special thanks to those coaches, players, and fans that have provided information for the following boys soccer team capsules:
2007 Preseason Boys Soccer Capsules
CLASS 4A
Region 1
Easley �
T.L. Hanna � Longtime Coach Dick Smith believes his '07 Yellow Jacket side will be eager to play this year despite having a lot of youth on the roster. The Yellow Jackets return four starters from '06 and eight lettermen. Hanna will be led by seniors Lockwood and Siemen; junior Drennan; and sophomores Ross and Wise.
Greenwood � Greenwood is young with a strong core of juniors. The past two years has seen the Eagles graduate 22 players. Coach John Kinard has been the varsity assistant the past two years and has served as the GHS JV coach the previous five years. He will be joined on the coaching staff by assistant Rose Richard who has extensive coaching experience in the U.S. as well as the United Kingdom and has a USSF B License and a UEFA A License which will be completed this calendar year. Rounding out the coaching staff will be former Lander University player Tomasz Kluszczynski.
Laurens �
Westside �
Wren � Veteran coach Mike Hazel will return 4 starters along with 10 lettermen and will be led by senior Brett Porter and junior Kevin Cawthon.
Region 2
Boiling Springs �
Byrnes �
Dorman - Bring almost the entire team back and have several impact players ... Most of their best players are juniors ... Could be short-handed in the Lake Murray Challenge however, as they have several of their top players competing in a college showcase club tournament ... One advantage for Dorman is that should they win their region, they will have home field advantage in the playoffs � will be led by nine returning starters from �06 headlined by Matt Essman, Josh Creech, Michael Essman, and Andrew Autenzio.
Gaffney �
Hillcrest �
Mauldin - lost a few of their better players, but will have a good solid team ... new coach
Spartanburg �
Region 3
Clover �
Fort Mill � The Yellow Jackets lost several impact players from a year ago including Wofford signee Nick Schuermann, but will be a good team as there will be several key senior players including Joe Cahill and Eric Fielden � Bolstering the lineup will be sophomores Andy Barbieri and Tyler Vukoder as the Yellow Jackets figure to return seven starters from a year ago.
Lancaster �
Northwestern - lost a lot from their state championship team, but still return Enzo Martinez, Ryan Kropp, and Vance Benson among other top-caliber players ... could be young in some starting positions ... goalkeeper will be a question mark for the Trojans ... entire back line will be new
Rock Hill �
South Pointe �
York �
Region 4
Aiken � The Green Hornets look to rebound from last season�s 7-11-1 record as they will return eight starters and 14 lettermen in 2007 � Coach Roger Carpenter�s fourth Aiken side will benefit from 14 upperclassmen, most of which compete in the fall on the Aiken Soccer Club�s U17/U18 teams � Several JV players from a year ago figure in the mix this season as well as the team featured 10 freshmen.
Irmo - Lost some dynamic players but should still be able to do well but could be young
Lexington � The Wildcats return eight starters from last year's team and have some quality players from the Lexington U17 club state championship team � Top returnees for Lexington include seniors � Paul Fisher, Drew Howell, Jess Maki, Kevin Orzech, Jason Yonge; and juniors � Reel Callison, Graham Howard, and Andrew Chavarria.
North Augusta �
South Aiken � This team has the capability to be competitive. South Aiken has lost 20 players the last two years, with eight of those moving on to the collegiate level. The Thoroughbreds will be short on varsity experience, but coach Paul Waters fifth SA team will be a hardworking group led by senior Bobby Smith, junior Jason Large, and sophomore Dan Riley.
White Knoll � Coach Jonathan Wilson begins his fourth year at WKHS and this season has the luxury of returning nine starters from last year as well as 11 lettermen ... Seniors Daniel Day, Kyle Paradise, and Zac Jackson will pace the Timberwolves in 2007 ... White Knoll looks to challenge for a playoff spot this year and their is reason for optimism on the WK campus as the current crop of 8th-10th graders could help propel the Wolves to the upper tier of their region in the near future.
Region 5
Dutch Fork � Coach Wayne Quinlan will lead his 16th Dutch Fork team that features seven returning starters including NSCAA All-American Danny Cates, two outstanding goalkeepers (Jason McCabe / Joey Scribner-Howard), and last year�s top scorer Carey Hite � The Silver Foxes could challenge for the Lower State title.
Lower Richland � No team
Richland Northeast �
Ridge View �
Spring Valley �
Region 6
Conway �
Hartsville �
South Florence �
Sumter �
West Florence � West Florence 30-year veteran coach Billy Andrews returns a host of 14 lettermen along with 8 starters back from last season ... Top returnees include Tyler Dunmyer, Wade Cook, Ben White, William Lynch, Thomas Bosse, and Bryce Reese.
Region 7
Berkeley-
Goose Creek �
James Island - Graduated 14 of 18 players from last year and could be facing a rebuilding year
Orangeburg-Wilkinson �
Stratford - New coach in former Wade Hampton (H) head coach Sean Egnew. The Knights return six starters from last year's team as well as 10 lettermen, including five seniors.
Wando - Should be better than the last couple of years ...
Region 8
Battery Creek �
Beaufort �
Colleton County �
Fort Dorchester - lost very little from last season ... Many of the players are members of the '90 Bridge FA team that's had a lot of success ... Led by veteran coach Anthony Pelton who has won a state championship
Summerville � The Green Wave should rebound from a disappointing 2006 season ... According to one Lower State coach SHS could challenge for the Lower State title if things go well in �07 � The Green Wave will be younger this year, but should have quality competition at every position � Leading returnees will be junior GK Ron Murray, senior defender Joe Begley, and junior midfielder York Dilday.
West Ashley - Coach Stephen Jackson's team has some very good returning talent with some that also have played on the '90 Bridge FA team ... WA has 14 club players (7 Bridge / 7 Summerville SC) � The entire back line returns in �07 for the Wildcats as well as the majority of the midfield � The team will be led by seniors Brady Johnson and Alex Pennkamp as well as sophomore Robbie Owens � The Wildcats should return to the playoffs and are poised to make noise in the postseason.
CLASS 3A
Region 1
Belton-Honea Path �
Berea �
Daniel - bring back almost every player from the last year's state semifinal team ... led by Seth Kulasekera, a Davidson commitment ... this team should be very good ... most of the team played for the Clemson Soccer Club's semifinal U18 team
Greenville - bring back eight starters from a very good team including arguably the best player in 3A, Sebastian Velasquez ... bring back two other all-state players ??? ... have a lot to prove this year and are senior-laden ... this could be the last shot for a state title for the Red Raiders for some time ... new coach and home field advantage in the playoffs
Pickens �
Seneca �
Travelers Rest �
Woodmont �
Region 2
Blue Ridge �
Clinton � Former Mid-Carolina head coach Sean Vick takes over the Clinton program this year. Clinton managed just a 5-11 record a year ago, but the Red Devils will be led by a quartet of seniors � Stephen Bryant, Anson Cunningham, Allen Phillips, and Eli Watts. In addition to the senior foursome, Clinton has seven starters returning and should improve on last years mark.
Eastside � The Eagles will be fairly young this year but have six players from the CESA U16 Premier team as well as a handful of older club players ... Coach David Craig�s side will be very competitive, but maybe 1-2 years away as only 2 starters return this year � Top returnees inlcude juniors Kaleb Ross, Phillip Patrick and Walker Griffith.
Greer �
JL Mann � they lost a few players from last year's team but are well-coached and will be very competitive as they have several young club players
Riverside � bring back nine starters from the 2006 state championship team ... bulk of the team are juniors ... new coach
Union �
Wade Hampton (G) �
Region 3
Blythewood � The Bengals are looking to improve after their inaugural 2006 campaign � Blythewood will benefit from an increased student body and the player pool should feature about 70 potential players this year � Coach Fletcher Spigner�s squad returns 19 lettermen and while still relatively young, should improve on their regular season mark from a year ago and be more competitive in the region � The Bengals hope to contend for a playoff spot.
Camden �
Chester �
Dreher � The Blue Devils lost quite a bit from the 2006 state runner-up squad, but should be very competitive in the new Region 3 ... Dreher has a new coach in former Airport head coach Matt Hornsby � The Blue Devils will be led offensively by sophomore Byron Quintoa and senior Asher Quave-Robinson � Dreher will be pressed to find a replacement in the net for the departed George Rushe, who captured all-state and North-South honors a year ago � Look for Dreher to be the top team in this region this year.
Eau Claire � will field a team (non-region competitive) for the first time since early 90's
Fairfield Central �
A.C. Flora �
Lugoff-Elgin �
Region 4
Airport � New coach Skip Broome inherits an Eagle side with seven returning starters led by seniors Jarrett Epperson and Wes McKinney as well as underclassmen Pack Lucas, Griff Sims, and Carl Vollmer � The Eagles could play the spoiler role in Region 4.
Brookland-Cayce � Coach Kevin Heise enters his 17th year at the helm of the Bearcats soccer program and he will have to replace 10 starters (and 15 lettermen) from last seasons� Class 3A Lower State Runner-Up team � The lone Bearcat returning starter is senior goalkeeper JC Gypin, who was named to the Palmetto Cup all-tournament team a year ago, but missed the playoffs due to a shoulder injury � He will anchor an inexperienced defense that will be completely revamped � Brookland-Cayce is counting on an infusion of talent from their JV team that posted 16 wins last spring as well as the addition of three foreign exchange students.
Chapin � The Eagles return 10 lettermen and five starters from last season�s Quarterfinal team � Chapin figures to be a favorite for the Lower State title this year under coach Dick Hiller, who is in his 8th year at the helm of the CHS program � Top returnees include junior goalkeeper Haze Weinspach, junior Tyler Williams, and senior Brett Richardson � Of the returning 10 players on the Eagles roster, 8 play club with CUFC and two play football.
Midland Valley � No team
Strom Thurmond � Coach Arthur Northrop
Swansea � Coach Shaun Jacques
Region 5
Crestwood �
Darlington �
Lake City �
Lakewood �
Marlboro County � Coach Rocky Heath's second Bulldog team will feature seven returning starters. After a two and a half year losing streak that spanned 40 games, the Bulldogs won three games last year and are hoping to being more competitive this year with seniors Terry Douglas and Josh Heath as well as junior Trent Henderson leading the way.
Wilson � Wilson coach Jamie Harloff begins his third year with the Tigers and the team hopes to improve on last year�s 19-4 mark as they will return eight starters and 12 lettermen from a year ago � Buoyed by 10 players participating at the club level, Wilson will be led by senior Daniel Schuetz and juniors Adam Crysel and Robbie Bonanno.
Region 6
Carolina Forest �
Georgetown �
Myrtle Beach - Veteran team returns for 2007 and feature five seniors and 14 juniors ... Should be the top prep side on the Grand Strand under first year head coach Jason Himmelsbach who takes over for Joel Banta, who remains as the assitant coach ... The Seahawks feature 8 starters back and will be led by senior Julian DuRant and juniors Chris Dixon and Grady Grumann ... Most players participate with Coast F.A. and Bridge F.A.
North Myrtle Beach � NMB could be facing a rebuilding year in Little River ... NMB has some very good returning players, but overall should feature a team with average sophomores and freshmen ... There is no apparent GK on the squad and this will be a priority for the Chiefs to address in the preseason � The Chiefs will have only 3 returning starters and 5 lettermen on the roster � Top returnees include seniors Michael Gambrell and Justin Hornes.
St. James - After a couple of years in existence, the Sharks seem poised to make a push at the upper tier of the region and could challenge NMB and Socastee for spots #2/#3 in Region 6.
Socastee � The Braves will be very similar to NMB and should battle the Chiefs for second place in the region.
Region 7
Bluffton � Coach John Woodring enters his third year at Bluffton and will return 10 starters from last year�s 16-8-1 squad that reached the Second Round of the Class 3A Playoffs � Led by senior standouts Diego Miranda, Kyle Blizzard, Sean Fleming, and Garrett Ricker, the Bobcats could be the wildcard in the Lower State � Most BHS players club with BHHSC and Bridge FA.
Hilton Head �
Lake Marion �
North Charleston �
Stall �
Timberland �
CLASS 2A
Region 1
Abbeville �
Crescent �
Liberty �
Palmetto � Returning 15 players, 7 seniors. Coach Semach is looking to continue building the soccer program. It takes time and dedication by the players. We're looking for a winning season, 1st one in years.
Pendleton � Coach Matthew Schult enters his first campaign as head coach with the Bulldogs after five years as the JV coach � Pendleton only returns three starters this year and will be led by seniors Tristan Herbert and James Roper.
Walhalla �
West-Oak �
Region 2
Blacksburg �
Broome �
Carolina � Coach John Larkin will begin his third year and returns six starters and 10 lettermen from last year�s team � They will be led by juniors Homero Cruz and Alex Ramon.
Chapman �
Chesnee �
Southside �
Woodruff � This will be a rebuilding year for Woodruff as they only return four starters from '06. Several younger players are looking to make their mark with the team this year and the Wolverines will need them to do so if they hope to compete in Region II-2A.
Region 3
Batesburg-Leesville � Coach Shane Bryant begins his fourth year at the helm of the Panthers program and has compiled a 51-18 mark with B-L. The Panthers return eight starters from last year's 17-3 Quarterfinals team. B-L will be led by seniors Hunter Wertz, Brandon Price; junior Chaz Dachenhaus; and sophomores Jose Meranda and Woogie Dachenhous.
Emerald � Coach Brad Nickles enters his 12th season with the Vikings and will return 7 starters from '06. Led by senior Josh Dean and juniors Walter Gonzalez and Joseph Taylor, Emerald will be better than last year's team, but will have a ways to go before challenging Bishop England for 2A honors this year.
Mid-Carolina �
Newberry �
Ninety Six � Coach Alan Bishop enters his third year and the Wildcats have six starters returning from last season. The Wildcats will be led by junior David Womack.
Saluda �
Region 4
Columbia �
Gilbert �
C.A. Johnson �
Keenan �
Pelion �
Region 5
Barnwell � Coach David Anastasia begins his third campaign with the War Horses � Barnwell returns six starters from last year�s region championship team � The top players for Barnwell this year will be a trio of seniors � Brian Greene, Martin Croft, and Matthew Croft � Greene, a forward, is one of the top strikers in 2A and is a true leader on and off the field � The War Horses will have to replace all-state keeper Brad Rush.
Edisto �
Jasper County � Coach Anthony Cuevas enters his second year with the JC program and returns five starters in 2007 ... Top returnees include Juan Vera and Gabriel Augilar ... Jasper County lost their top offensive player and goalkeeper, but has a freshman class that is showing a lot of promise ... Coach Cuevas is assisted by Misael Garzon and look to improve on last season's success and be a force in Region 5.
Silver Bluff �
Wade Hampton (H) �
Woodland �
Region 6
Andrews �
Bishop England � The standard for Class 2A remains BE and the Bishops will be led by veteran coach Ed Khouri and they return 10 starters from a year ago. Bishop England could field one of their finest teams this year as most of the players compete at Bridge FA, MPSC, or Summerville SC in the club season. Nine seniors will make the difference for the Bishops this year!
Burke �
Garrett �
Hanahan �
Manning �
Region 7
Aynor �
Dillon �
Kingstree �
Loris �
Marion �
Mullins �
Waccamaw �
Region 8
Andrew Jackson �
Buford �
Central �
Cheraw �
Lee Central �
Class 1A
Region 1
Calhoun Falls �
Dixie � Coach Brian Gamble begins his 10th year in charge of the Dixie program and will face a rebuilding year in 2007 as the top scorer and defensive starters from a year ago all graduated � In addition to this natural attrition, the team�s second leading scorer transferred to the Governor�s School � Top returnees will be seniors Kyle Crawford and Matthew Graham.
Governor�s School for Arts and Humanities �
McCormick �
Tamassee-Salem �
Thornwell �
Ware Shoals �
Region 2
Christ Church �
Greenville Charter �
Jonesville �
Landrum �
Lockhart �
SCSDB �
Southside Christian �
Whitmire �
Region 3
Chesterfield �
Great Falls �
Indian Land �
Lewisville �
McBee �
North Central �
Region 4
Calhoun County �
Fox Creek �
Hunter-Kinard-Tyler �
North �
Ridge Spring-Monetta �
Wagener-Salley �
Region 5
Allendale-Fairfax �
Bamberg-Ehrhardt �
Blackville-Hilda � Coach Daniel Holbrook will enter his sixth year at the helm of the BHHS program � The Hawks will return five starters from �06 and will be led by senior Kyle Shore � Blackville-Hilda will be very inexperienced this year, but very athletic.
Denmark-Olar �
Estill �
Williston-Elko �
Region 6
Academic Magnet � Co-coaches Troy Bennage and Jason Hamil return six starters from last season�s semifinal team � The Raptors top returnees include Erik Cobb, Lucas Hagerty, Travis Farham, Alan Dapore, Chris Kilpatrick, and Alex Rieflin.
Baptist Hill �
Bethune-Bowman �
Branchville �
Cross �
Lincoln � Lincoln made noise in 2006 as the Yellow Jackets advanced to the State Championship before succumbing via a PK shootout in the final to Christ Church � Headling the Lincoln lineup are standouts Darwin Deas (Sr), Hershcell Hamilton (Jr), and Preston Myers (So) � Lincoln has the rare fortune for a 1A school to have four players at different age groups competing with one of the state�s top clubs at Bridge FA � Look for the Yellow Jackets to make a repeat run to the state final.
Military Magnet �
St. John�s �
Region 7
East Clarendon �
Governor�s School for Science & Math �
Hannah-Pamplico �
Lamar �
C.E. Murray �
Scott�s Branch �
Timmonsville �
Region 8
Carvers Bay �
Creek Bridge �
Green Sea-Floyds �
Hemingway �
Johnsonville �
Lake View �
Latta -
Independent
Camden Military Academy � Coach Tom Hewitt enters his ninth year at CMA and will have 9 starters returning this year along with a total of 15 lettermen � Several students have transferred from public schools and that will add to this years potential � Since CMA is not in the SCHSL or SCISA, Coach Hewitt and Camden Military express their thanks to the schools that include them in their schedule
Last edited by Kevin Heise; 01/28/07 11:52 PM.
