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District 8-5A boys soccer predictions

BY Justin Thomas, Matt Welch and Kevin Hageland, Staff Writers

Published: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 5:39 PM CST

1. Plano Senior

The reigning District 8-5A champions have adjusted to the loss of a hefty senior class and a few academy-bound offensive threats, dropping just one match during non-district play.

Seniors Tony Santibanez and Ramon Gallegos have spearheaded a versatile scoring attack, while senior Kyle Johnson has surrendered multiple goals just three times in net thus far.

That kind of defense will be vital as Plano finds its way on offense.

And while the firepower may not be as steady as last year, the Wildcats breed of speed and movement keeps the 8-5A crown intact.

2. Allen

Expectations are high for the Eagles under first-year head coach Bryan Hantak and thus far, they've performed amiably.

A flock of returners have settled into Hantak's scheme and the result has been an attack without a surefire scorer, but instead a smattering of weapons. Junior Kevin Ptacek has been a surprise in complementing veterans like seniors Sam Glawe and Parker Tikson, while sophomore Christopher Hendricks has been a brick wall between the posts.

Amid a furious fray in 8-5A, a playoff berth is a just consolation prize for the Eagles.

3. Flower Mound Marcus

In part because of the new rule prohibiting academy players from competing at the varsity level, the Marauders enter 2012 with a new look.

And while early results have been mixed, with the Marauders getting out to a 6-2-1 start, Marcus figures to hit its strides at the right time of the year and advance to the postseason for the 21st consecutive season.

Last year was an anomaly for the Marauders as they failed to win a playoff match, but Marcus did take eventual state champ Southlake Carroll to a shootout in bi-district action.

4. Hebron

Last season, the Hawks parlayed a third-place finish in district into an appearance in the area round of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

And with a bevy of returners, including last year's Offensive MVP Chris Haberer, the Hawks again figure to be in the mix. Also back in the fold is reigning Utility Player of the Year Jose Paz.

Thus far continuity has paid off with Hebron taking third at the Frisco ISD Tournament. The Hawks enter district playing their best ball, including a 3-1 win Friday over Lake Highlands.

5. Lewisville

Expectations for Lewisville are as high as they've been in years as the Farmers continue to progress under second-year head coach Brandon McCallum.

Despite winning just two matches in district last year, talk among area coaches is the Farmers are on the rise.

The Farmers raced out to a 6-1-1 start and won the Lewisville Cup. Lewisville has posted 23 goals in its eight matches after scoring 18 times all of last season.

If that trend continues, the Farmers could be in the postseason for the first time in at least 13 years.

6. Flower Mound

The Jaguars are hopeful the sting of last season's seventh-place finish will provide motivation in 2012.

While Flower Mound returns just five starters, head coach David Doyle believes the chemistry developed by a majority of the squad in previous junior varsity seasons will help smooth the varsity transition.

The Jaguars feature all seniors in the midfield, primarily seniors up front and have opened the season 7-1-2 after taking first this past weekend at the Marcus Cup. Early results of note include a 3-1 win over Marcus and a 4-3 loss to Plano.

7. Plano East

The Panthers have steadily found their way after a tie-laden start to the season, most recently scoring seven goals at the Garland Invitational Tournament.

Senior Jake Sternhagen and junior Luis Valle accounted for five of those goals and have emerged as the Panthers' primary scoring threats this season. Senior Colby England and junior Amando Nevarez have enjoyed expanded roles on an East defense that has surrendered 10 goals while the offense has scored just 11.

That kind of inconsistency may haunt the Panthers, with a spot outside the playoff picture the ultimate outcome.

8. Plano West

The offseason wasn't particularly kind to West, which lost arguably its top three returners to academy programs.

The adjustments haven't gone unnoticed during non-district, with just two wins to West's credit after seven matches. The presence of senior Mauricio Aguilar gives the Wolves a capable scoring presence up front, while the rest of the team continues to settle into the first-time varsity experience.

Players like Mitch Lagro, Brock Dudley and Ashkan Khosravi aren't replaced overnight and the learning curve will make for a tough 2012 campaign for West.

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