Division II boys - thoughts?

[Smeltzy]

Anyone have any early thoughts on who the best teams in the District will be this year.

Again congrats to Athens on last years District championship. A fabulous team they had.

[pkp76]

Well, fabulous may be a bit strong but last year's Athens team was solid. As before, the defense should be outstanding (returning all starters) but scoring may be an issue. Maybe not, some of the skilled younger players have had a full year to mature and strengthen possibly to produce at least one true stricker. Also, there is word of a transfer from a western state who shows promise. Much like the defense, the midfield should remain formidable, although the graduation of Jenkins will be noticed.

It would seem that Chillicothe and Marietta will produce very competitive teams as always. Any word on either of these teams?

[Bucknuts]

2009 Chillicothe Cavaliers

Chillicothe was 13-4-2 in 2008. They are two-time defending SEOAL Champions. The Cavs lost to Marietta 2-1 in the district semi-finals.

Greg Van Volkinburg is the only player that is lost to graduation that was in the everyday starting line-up at season's end. He played a defensive-mid position. Last year Chillicothe started 4 sophomores, 6 juniors, and one senior.

Chillicothe returns 13 varsity letter winners. The two biggest key returning players are midfielder Drew Basil (2nd team All-Ohio and 1st Team SE Dst) and forward Tony Skowronek (1st team All-Ohio and 1st Team SE Dst)

Basil had 10 goals and 24 assists in 2008 while Tony Skowronek had 32 goals and 6 assists.

Chillicothe returns all starters on defense including 2nd Team SE Dst performers Paul Horning and Tyler Semancik, and senior goalkeeper Koty Chandler.

Other key returning starters will be juniors Ben Buchanan, Justin Ball, and Gabe Seymour; and seniors Luke Wagner, and Todd Elliott. John Lods is a returning senior who started many games also. There were many games in which a senior did not start last year.

The Cavs returning players accounted for 90% of its goal scoring and 91% of its assists.

Key games for Chillicothe outside of the SEOAL (Jackson, Marietta, Gallia, Logan, and Warren) will be at Athens and Teays Valley; and Waverly and Bishop Watterson at home. The season opener at Athens should be a good one.

Chillicothe is expecting a good year.

[soccernut]

Marietta graduated two starting Seniors. One was central midfielder and the other an outside midfielder. The strikers and the defense ( which limited tony to 1 goal in three games, a penalty kick) will be back.

The Marietta vs Chilli and vs Athens should be really good competitive games this year. Looking forward to the start of season.

[Bucknuts]

Should be some good teams, and some great games in the southeast district this year. No doubt.

I saw Marietta was in the COSA High School tourny this past weekend. Anyone out there know how they fared? Looked like they were playing some good competition.

[Smeltzy]

Fairfield Union should again be very competitive and hopefully make it back to Districts. Their major loss was at Keeper but most of their Defense in front of the new keeper is back. Offensively they lost a couple scorers but I look for the offense to actually be able to score more this year with the juniors and seniors that got lots of experience last year. If the new keeper comes along well than we could have the same kind of record as last year.(14-2-2)

Can`t wait for the season to begin.

[soccernut]

Should be some good teams, and some great games in the southeast district this year. No doubt.

I saw Marietta was in the COSA High School tourny this past weekend. Anyone out there know how they fared? Looked like they were playing some good competition.

They went 3-0-1. Best we have done in Columbus.

[Smeltzy]

ttt................ Come on, the season is almost here and there is no one talking soccer in this area. Where`s all the posters from last year?

[SEsportsBA]

Who are everyones first several opponents?

[defender08]

Warren looks to be solid. Starner, Holdren, Frame, and Jones all return. As well as the comeback of Daniel Scott. Holdren will be between the pipes again. The problems could be the lack of possession through the mid field and the ability to score consistently, but I think the Warriors will be solid again.

[Bucknuts]

Chillicothe opens at Athens

[soccerfanatic]

Chillicothe at Athens should be a very competitive and fierce game. Should be a lot of fun to watch.

[pele]

Warren also has some significant depth to their roster this year.

[defender08]

Yes they do Pele..they've got a lot of players who can step in and play an important role. But we'll see if they do

[SEsportsBA]

Huge game tomorrow, Athens v. Chilli. Predictions?

[pele]

Chilli wins. Athens is a sloppy team.

[pele]

For warren Frame, Scott, Jones, and Starner are obviously their key players but their role players have yet to find their place. A new keeper this year should also help them out.

[defender08]

New Keeper Pele? I didn't know that Holdren graduated?

[BLUEMOON]

That is very true. Frame will have to learn to organize the others back there with him. I've been told that Dye is injured? If so, his return could help Frame at defense. Warren has struggled with maintaining its shape and leaving one midfielder responsible for the entire mid. They can't do this if they expect to win. They have to play as a team and find people who can play the wide mids and cover the entire field, not just offense.

Its all going to be about discipline soccer with Warren as the don't have much size. As for the "D" they will be fine when Holdren and Frame take control and the others listen, there can't be any fighting amongst the ranks either. I see a 9-7 season for the Warriors as they are still very young with only 3 seniors.

[pkp76]

Regarding the key early season match, Chillicothe at Athens, I'm not sure what to expect. Chillicothe has a veteran team with serious strength at key positions, including up front. However, Athens has a battle tested senior defense that held Chillicothe well last year and has already seen (among others) some really talented offensive players at a recent Hilliard Bradley scrimmage. Should be a great match-up around the Athens goal.

The key may well be in the Athens midfield with several talented young players who will be tested by a very strong Chillicothe team in the first game of the season for Athens. Someone referred to Athens as "sloppy" in a previous post. Not really, but Athens is young at key positions. This first game will tell a lot about the maturity of the young players. Great early match-up!