The prep boys soccer season kicked off Monday across the state.
And it appears that a number of area teams will be headed to successful seasons in 2007.
On opening day two of the area’s top small-school programs went head-to-head as Liberty-Benton blanked Riverdale 3-0.
The Eagles have eight seniors and 11 lettermen back as the team tries and defend it’s title in the Midland Suburban Soccer League.
Riverdale, defending champs in the North Central Ohio Soccer Association, has a blend of youth and experience on the roster this season. The team’s top returnee, senior first team all-district selection Jon Grant, went down with a knee injury in pregame warm ups Monday and his status for the rest of the season is still up in the air.
Three other squads to watch are Ottawa-Glandorf, Kalida and Bluffton.
No preseason information was available on the team from Pandora-Gilboa.
Ada
HEAD COACH: Patrick Massara (1st year).
2009 RECORD: 4-11-2 overalll, 3-3-1 North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ben Garmon, sr., D; Jay Spangler, sr., F; Zach Gonder, sr., D; Corey Vaughn, sr., MF; Warren Hall, sr., D/MF; John Woodruff, sr., F; Zach Corbet, sr., D; Parthib Das, sr., D; Drew Crabtree, jr., F/MF.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ryan Kellum, jr., D; Rogelio Rojao, jr., F/MF; Ian Crabtree, jr., F/MF); Tate Anspach, fr., GK; Caleb Garmon, fr., F/MF; Ben Nevel, fr., D.
NOTABLE: Ada has a new coach in Patrick Massara and is looking for a turnaround this season with eight seniors and nine returning letterwiinners on this year’s roster.
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Dave Fett (11th year, 128-59-31).
2009 RECORD: 10-6-3.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jackson Bush, sr., D; Jeremy Enneking, sr., F; Zac Shaw, sr., MFZ; Lucas Harnish, jr., D; Matt Deter, soph., F; Dave Hooley, sr., MF; Nate Little, jr., D; Dave Yoder, sr., D.
TOP PROSPECTS: Stephen Tartarkov, fr., F.
NOTABLE: The Pirates have nine veterans back from last year’s team that advanced to the regional tournament. They’ll need some offensive players to step up though as the school’s career scoring leader Jaden August graduated last fall.
Continental
Head coach: Steve Deken (11th season, 88-63-20).
2009 RECORD: 8-6-3 overall, 2-2-1 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Scott Deken, sr., Goalkeeper; Dylan Geckle, sr., F; Jacob Fry, sr., MF; Adrian Slattman, sr., Def/MF; Austin Sharp, sr., MF/F; Nick Keck, sr., Def; Austin Prowant, sr., Def/Goalkeeper; Bret Slattman, jr., Def; Tyler Dockery, soph., MF/Def.
TOP PROSPECTS: Matt Geckle, sr., MF; Brandon Burke, jr., MF; Dakota Scott, jr., F; Dalton Bradford, jr., MF; Austic Geckle, soph., MF; Dallas Geckle, fr., F.
NOTABLE: Nine letterwinners return for Continental. Dylan Geckle was a first team Putnam County League forward and Scott Deken was a second team pick in the goal.
Cory-Rawson
Head coach: Ryan Badertscher (3rd year, 9-21-5).
2009 RECORD: 2-13-2 overall, 1-4-2 North Cenral Ohio Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Cole Benner, jr., F; Daniel Curth, jr., Def; Troy Frommer, jr., Def; Garrett Wieman, jr., MF; Conner Stewart, sr., MF/F; Colten Schwab, soph., MF/Def; Jason Sands, soph., MF/F; Elliot Ice, soph., Goalkeeper; Zach Smith, soph., Def.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ryan Egts, fr., MF/Goalkeeper; Austin Brown, fr., MF.
NOTABLE: Even with nine returning letterwinners, Cory-Rawson will be young in 2010. Cole Benner returns for the Hornets after earning NCOSA honorable mention status last season.
Fort Jennings
Head coach: Bill Romes (2nd year, 5-11).
2009 RECORD: 5-11 overall, 2-3 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tyler Good, sr., Goalkeeper; Austin Norbeck, sr., MF; Jared Calvelage, sr., Def; Brad Trentman, sr., MF; Andrew Louth, sr., MF/For; Ryan Kraner, sr., MF; Ryan Schuerman, sr., F/MF; Andrew Huntsman, sr., Def; Aaron Schnipke, jr., F/MF; Brian Wurst, jr., MF.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jeremy Kohli, jr., Def; Seth Ricker, fr., F/MF; Ethan Schimmoeller, jr., Def.
NOTABLE: Fort Jennings has nine players back that have earned at least three letters. Romes expects his defense to be strong, especially in the backfield.
Heritage Christian
Head coach: Tim England (15th year).
2009 RECORD: 8-8 overall, 4-4 Ohio Christian Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Dillon England, jr., MF; Mike Neal, jr., HB; Daniel Kalmbach, soph., HB; Sam Berry, soph., Goalkeeper; Caleb Hoal, soph., HB; Luke Schaffer, soph., FB.
TOP PROSPECTS: Winfield Oestreich, fr., Goalkeeper; Matthew Beal, fr., HB; Josiah Long, fr., HB.
NOTABLE: With no seniors on the roster, the Heritage Christian team will be rather inexperienced in 2010. Daniel Kalmbach is back after earning OCC honorable mention honors as a freshman.
Kalida
Head coach: Mark Czobik (22nd year 282-72-46).
2009 RECORD: 13-2-2 overall, 5-0-0 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Derek Korte, sr., F; Cody Horstman, sr., MF; Kristopher Osterhage, sr., Def., Brandon Kahle, sr., Def/MF; Logan Recker, sr., MF/F; Jeremy Kahle, sr., MF/F' Kevan Unverferth, jr., MF/F; Cody Schnipke, jr., MF/F; Nick Guisinger, jr., Def; Austin Roebke, jr., Def; Tyler Erhart, jr., MF; Tyler Kortokrax, jr., MF; Tyler Heitmeyer, jr., Def/MF.
TOP PROSPECTS: Drew Stechschulte, jr., Goalkeeper.
NOTABLE: Thirteen lettermen return for a Kalida team that put up an impressive 13-2-2 record last fall. Junior Drew Stechschulte will have to replace Division III second team all-state goalkeeper Mike Bockrath in the net.
Liberty-Benton
Head coach: Drew Aukerman (6th year, 60-22-9).
2009 RECORD: 10-5-2 overall, 5-0 Midland Suburban Soccer League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Grady Oaks, soph., MF; Austin Elliott, jr., D; Erik Naliborski, jr., F; Andrew Wanamaker, jr., MF; Eric Bowsher, sr., D; Austin Fox, sr., MF; Tyler Hissong, sr., F; Brett Koenig, sr., D; Dustin Oaks, sr., MF; Jared Peverly, sr., D; Austin Siferd, sr., MF.
TOP PROSPECTS: Peyton Schroeder, fr., F; Andrew Twining, soph., F; Drew Dole, fr., D.MF; Sam Darnall, sr., MF; Zach Garver, fr., F/MF; Chandler Gray, fr., F/MF; Jacob Lyberg, fr., F/MF/D; Brian Dailey, fr., D; Dillon Burkett, fr., GK.
NOTABLE: The Eagles have eight seniors returning this season to try and defend the school's Midland Suburban Soccer League title.
Miller City
Head coach: Tom Klear (12th year, 99-62-37).
2009 RECORD: 15-3 overall, 4-1 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ross Hueuerman, sr., MF; Josh Niese, sr., MF; Kyle Schroeder, sr., D: Aaron Simon, sr., D; Brent Hermiller, jr., MF; Logan Konst, jr., ST; Robby Nadler, jr., ST; Gabe Wenzinger, jr., MF; Ross Kaufman, soph., ST.
TOP PROSPECTS: Chad Kohls, sr., MF; Jared Kern, jr., MF; David Niese, jr., D; Mitchell Kuihlman, soph., D; Austin Lammers, soph., D; Jacob Gerten, fr., ST.
NOTABLE: Miller City had plenty of talent and experience returning and should play a key role in the outcome of the PCL this season.
Ottawa-Glandorf
Head coach: Mike Weihrauch (14th year, 173-46-35).
2009 RECORD: 14-4-3 overall, 7-1-1 Western Buckeye League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Andrew Trenkamp, sr., F; Andy Ellerbrock, sr., Def; Tony Ellerbrock, sr., Def; Jason Fischer, sr., MF; Collin Hanneman, sr., Def; Nate Brickner, jr., F; TJ Metzger, soph., MF; Matthew Kaufman, soph., F Brook Fortman, sr., Def; Derrick Stechchulte, sr., MF.
TOP PROSPECTS: Alex Fuetter, jr., MF/Def; Winston Fuetter, jr., MF; Mathias Klausing, jr., Def; Austin Maag, jr., MF; Korey Niese, jr., MF; Nathan Schmiedebusch, jr., Goalkeeper/F; Cory Imm, soph., Def; Justin Vorst, jr., F/MF; Daulton Hosler, jr., Def.
NOTABLE: Ottawa-Glandorf will be inexperienced after losing 10 seniors to graduation. But there is talent coming up and if it gels quickly expect the Titans to compete well in the Western Buckeye League.
Ottoville
Head coach: Eric Gerker (4th year, 39-15-4).
2009 RECORD: 10-8-1 overall, 1-3-1 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Nate Turnwald, sr., forward; Scottie Pohlman, sr., midfield; Logan Kaverman, sr., midfield/forward; Matt Honigford, sr., forward; Travis Eickholt, sr., midfield; Kyle Kroeger, sr., goalkeeper; Colin Buettner, sr., defender; Josh Schroeder, jr., midfield; Sam Beining, jr., forward; Adam Beining, jr., forward/midfield; Blake Gerdeman, jr., defender; Greg Rue, jr., defender; Austin Markward, jr., goalkeeper; Julian Trejo, jr., defender; Matt Burgei, soph., defender; Bryan Hohlbein, soph., defender; Dylan Klima, soph., forward/midfield.
TOP PROSPECTS: Evan Laudick, jr., forward; Kenny Jackson, jr., midfield; Anthony Eickholt, soph., midfield.
NOTABLE: With 17 returning lettermen, the Big Green could be in for a big season. Gerker his hoping his club will challenge Miller City and Kalida for the PCL crown this year.
Riverdale
Head coach: Jon Hayfield (10th year, 100-45-18).
2009 RECORD: 13-2-2 overall, 7-0 North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kelson Beck, sr., Def/MF; Eric Eatherton, sr., Def; Jon Grant, sr., F; Jack Kelly, sr., MF; Ben Williams, sr., Def; Nathan McKee, jr., Def; Gage Hankins, jr., Def; Caleb Shuttis, soph., MF.
NOTABLE: Riverdale will have a solid nucleus to build around with seniors Kelson Beck, Eric Eatherton and Jon Grant. Grant, who earned first team NCOSA and first team All District honors, scored 17 goals and dished off eight assists last season.
Upper Sandusky
Head coach: Keith Miller (7th year, 34-61-6).
2009 RECORD: 11-5-1 overall, 5-2 North Central Ohio Soccer Association.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Luke Miller, soph., MF; Derrick Skillman, jr., MF/F; Scott Warfel, soph., Def.; Shin Nagasama, soph., MF/F; Justin Miller, jr., F; Jordan Brinson, sr., Def.; Alberto Marchant, sr., MF/F; Ty Calvin, sr., Goalkeeper.
TOP PROSPECTS: Piet Louwes, sr., MF; Mark Walton, jr., Def; Brad Sipe, fr., F; Matt Bassler, sr., F; Gabe Pinhal, sr., MF; Orrin Koepke jr., MF/Def; Zach Tiell, sr., MF; Justin Stoneburner, soph., Def; Clayton Smith, sr., MF; Keith Godfried, jr., Def; Jamie Boucher, jr, MF; Mitch Wilson, sr., MF; Derek Hartschuh, jr., Def; Nestor Flores, sr., MF.
NOTABLE: Derrick Skillman, who was a NCOSA first team pick, is back for his junior year after establishing new Upper Sandusky records of goals in a game (6) and career goals (31). He scored 31 goals for the Rams last season.
Van Buren
Head coach: Tom Swaisgood (14th season).
2009 RECORD: 14-3 overall, 6-1 North Central Ohio Soccer Associaton.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Andrew Shroll, sr., C-MF; Logan Roberts, sr., L-MF; Lucas Reed, jr., R-MF; Matt Lee, sr., R-Def; Riley Damon, sr., F; Drew Ashcraft, sr., F; Josh Roberts, jr., MF; Zach Rader, jr., F; Bryon Lako, jr., Goalkeeper; Tyler Hiatt, jr., F; Brian Davidson, jr., MF; Preston Wise, soph., F; Brett Turner, soph., MF; Dylan Sexton, soph., F; Chandler Adams, soph., F.
TOP PROSPECTS: Daniel Roberts, fr., F; Kody Edler, sr., Goalkeeper/Def; Dean Rodabaugh, jr., Def; Michael domke, fr., Def; Shawn Hobbs, fr., MF; Alex Dewey, fr., F; Ted Simmons, fr., Def; Laike Matthes, MF/Goalkeeper.
NOTABLE: With fifteen returning letterwinners, Van Buren should be in position to contend in the NCOSA again.