Prep Boys Soccer Preview: Rancho Bernardo High, Poway eyeing league crown
Last year brought plenty of excitement with the Poway High boys soccer team going unbeaten in the Palomar League and Rancho Bernardo reaching the San Diego Section Division II title game.
Both squads should have solid years once again, as the Titans return a trio of prolific scorers and the Broncos are loaded with young talent.
Meanwhile, Del Norte will start just two seniors in its first season playing in the Avocado East League.
Here is a closer look at the local teams:
Poway
Coach: Eugene Morris, 11th year
Last season: 15-2-8, Palomar League champions; lost in first round of Open Division playoffs.
Division: I
Key players: MF, Kellen Gallagher, Sr.; MF, Ian Hayne, Sr.; F, Miguel Berry, Jr.;
Outlook: The Titans lost a lot of big names to graduation and will need to fill some holes on defense in order to repeat as Palomar League champions and challenge for an Open Division title.
Poway does return plenty of goal scorers, led by Gallagher, Hayne and Berry. Each of the three could reach double-digit goals by the end of the year.
Berry found the net 16 times last season, while Gallagher had 11 goals. Hayne scored three times and had five assists.
“I think we are a top-10 team,” Morris said. “We will never be out of a game, because we can put the ball in the net. But we are young and inexperienced on defense.”
The Titans have always played one of the toughest schedules in the county and this year will be no different. They will play at least five of the other seven teams that were in last year’s Open Division playoffs.
Poway, Torrey Pines, Canyon Crest Academy and Rancho Bernardo should all challenge for the league championship. The Falcons and Titans appear to be the frontrunners.
“I expect us to compete for a league title,” Morris said. “Torrey Pines has graduated the least so I would probably say they are the favorite.”
Rancho Bernardo
Coach: Kurt Trecker, 10th year
Last season: 12-10-3, lost in Division II championship game.
Division: I
Key players: GK, Sam Fenlason, Sr.; MF, Evan Roehrig, Sr.; D, Garrison Walters, Sr.; F, Michael Moroz, Sr.; MF, Jacob Lindberg, Jr.; D, Chris Abosamra, Jr.; MF/F, Matt Araiza, Fr.
Outlook: Do not sleep on the Broncos this year. Rancho Bernardo has some young talent and is coming off a runner-up finish in the section’s Division II playoffs.
Entering this week, the Broncos already have seven different goal scorers and coach Trecker is excited with his underclassmen’s play.
“We only have three starting seniors, but the sophomores and juniors are really impressing me,” he said. “As long as these guys stay healthy, I think it is going to be a really good season.”
There are even a few freshmen in the mix. Araiza can provide a spark up front or in the mid and freshman goalie Jacob Jackson is a solid backup to senior Fenlason.
“We have a good starting lineup and some depth,” Trecker said.
Walters anchors the back line, while Roehrig is solid offensively and defensively. Lindberg also provides a boost in the midfield.
“We have a good back line, two solid goalkeepers, my midfield is great on the ball and we have a good attack up front,” Trecker said. “This is a well-balanced team.”
Rancho Bernardo is a dark horse to win its first league championship since sharing the crown with Poway in 2010.
Del Norte
Coach: David O’Rielly, 6th year
Last season: 6-7-8, lost in quarterfinals of Division IV playoffs.
Division: III
Key players: MF, Grayson Farnham, Jr.; MF, Parker Ahyuen, Jr.; MF, Lindolfo Crisan, Sr.; GK, Christian Deguzman, Sr.; GK, Nick Carlson, Jr.; D, Daniel Zin, So.
Outlook: The Nighthawks have a challenging season ahead after being bumped up to Division III from Division IV and moving from the Valley League to the tougher Avocado East League.
“It is going to be really tough,” O’Rielly said. “We have never played half of the teams in the Avocado East.”
San Pasqual figures to be the favorite, but Escondido and San Marcos will also be a challenge in the Avocado East.
Del Norte will start just two seniors and is hoping its underclassmen and bench players from a year ago can grow up quickly.
“I like this team as far as depth goes and I think we are an exciting team,” O’Rielly said. “This team is also exciting for me because I am going to get most of these guys for the next two or three years.”
Farnham, the kicker on the football team, gives the Nighthawks a strong midfield. Zin will anchor the defense, while Brad Graham and Ahyuen figure to get most of the scoring done.
“We are a pretty athletic group,” O’Rielly said. “I would say we are one of the stronger teams as far as strength and conditioning goes.”