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[dougroberson]

BAY RIVERS DISTRICT BOYS SOCCER

BY JENNIFER L. WILLIAMS
jwilliams@dailypress.com

WHO WILL BE THE TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH?
Jamestown forward Chris Miller returns as a second team all-state selection and his team’s leading scorer. Eagles center midfielder Winston Mattheisen was first team all-Bay Rivers and honorable mention all-state last season. Senior forward Tyler Claire was Jamestown’s second-leading scorer last season and was also all-district. Tabb will be paced at forward by all-state leading scorer Anthony Han and second-leading scorer Chas Engle, as well as midfielder Justin Naramore. Goalkeepers Brian Sowell and Corey Caswell give Tabb great depth in the net, while seniors Aaron Davis and Mike Platt solidify the Tigers’ defense. Lafayette’s Mike Scruggs, a senior forward/center midfielder, is a returning honorable mention all-state player.

WHO WILL BE THE TOP SLEEPER PLAYERS OR TOP NEWCOMERS?
Junior transfers Kramer Runager at center midfielder and C.J. Young in the midfield will help Jamestown. Newcomers who should help Tabb a lot are a pair of sophomores—midfielder/defender Aaron Prunty and defender Justin Davis. Sophomore Sam Schultz, a defender, is a strong addition for Lafayette. Ryan Turner and German exchange student Max Zeck should help Grafton. Forward Carter Evans has transferred from West Point to New Kent.

WHAT WILL BE THE TOP TEAMS TO WATCH?
Jamestown’s combination of returning experience and talented additions makes them a solid favorite to win the district. The Eagles were state quarterfinalists last season. Jamestown’s depth is helped by defender David Rozmiarek and defender/midfielder Robbie Sowell. Region I qualifier Tabb was forced deeper into its bench by two potential starters not returning, and like last season will be missing Han and Sowell for games because of other outside soccer commitments. But the Tigers are strong in goal and have enough experience to be a solid contender. Region I qualifier Lafayette sustained some key losses when J.P. Voll graduated and Brendan Cook transferred, but returns a nucleus headed up by Scruggs. The Rams have seniors Michael Boyko and Trevor Dunkle back, along with juniors Greg Botting and Justin Wolfe and sophomore Tim Vaught.

WHAT TEAMS MIGHT BE MOST IMPROVED OR SLEEPERS?
Fourth place finisher Grafton lost its two major scorers in Erik Sorensen and Brian Witt, but returns fullback Justin Clark and forward Jason Brown. Sean Moriarty, Gavin West and Andrew Bonorden are all returning starters as sophomores for Grafton. Poquoson and York finished fifth and sixth respectively last season and are looking to contend with the top teams. New Kent and Smithfield each return a core of experience.

WHAT WILL THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP HINGE ON?
Jamestown will only be unseated if other teams find major offensive production quickly. Han, a St. John’s signee, is the best bet for a forward that can test the Eagles’ defense. Expect Tabb, and possibly Lafayette a little later in the season, to be the Eagles’ closest pursuers. Grafton is a team that could pull an upset here or there to shake up the standings.

[JHSFootball]

I'm pretty sure that Warhill isn't even open to have a soccer team.

[observer]

Smithfield gets snubbed again, despite having the most under-rated keeper for the past 4 years as well as a midfielder who handles the ball with more skill and speed than most teams. But thats just my opinion. I know Smithfield isn't a soccer power, like Jamestown or Lafayette, or even a top half, like Grafton or Tabb, but they will be competative in almost every game. They were not shut out last year in a single game.

[Lynn Burke]

Originally Posted by JHSFootball

I'm pretty sure that Warhill isn't even open to have a soccer team.

Warhill is a stealth program this year. Nope, you're correct. Warhill doesn't open until next fall. I've edited the polls for boys and girls soccer to reflect that.

Thanks for catching it.

[kennedy]

Blame Lynn.

[SHSSOCCER12]

does anyone know if tabb won against nansmond river?

[PanMan_VA]

Originally Posted by SHSSOCCER12

does anyone know if tabb won against nansmond river?

Nanesmond River won 3-2.