1. Cape Elizabeth: The 2015 Class B champs return a strong core of top players across the field. Senior goalie Alex Narvaez will make it hard for teams to finish possessions, while Cape boasts plenty of scoring threats. Senior midfielder RJ Sarka is a dominant force. Twins Owen Thoreck (A) and Connor Thoreck (MF) are proven threats. Lefty Riley Pillsbury is hard to stop at the net. Ben Ekedahl leads the defense.

2. Falmouth: Like the Capers, Falmouth is a traditional power with powerful players and plenty of depth despite having a relatively young team. Senior midfielder George Gilbert is a key two-way cog. The junior class is led by the attack combo of Jack Scribner and Devin Russell, while sophomores Brendan Hickey (D), Lou Mainella (A), and Nick Farnham (MF) are vital pieces. Falmouth will look to improve defensively around the goalie combo of injured incumbent Liam Tucker and Ethan Chapman.

3. South Portland: The regional Class A champs graduated several key pieces including goalie and 2015 player of the year T-Moe Hellier – but they have the state’s only returning All-American in 6-foot-5, Syracuse-bound Jack Fiorini. Freshman Quinn Watson looks like a keeper in goal and has veterans Brian Ellsmore and Benedetto Nappi leading a good defense. Jack Bose-Kimball, Brendan Gagne and standout long-stick middie Nick Mezzanotte are also key performers.

4. Yarmouth: The defending regional Class B champs must replace all three defenders so it will be imperative for faceoff specialist Ricky Tillotson to gain possession. The Clippers’ offense, led by junior attack Bill Jacobs and senior middie Matt Beatty can compete at a high level. Long-stick middie Jack Venden was a first-team Western Maine Conference selection as a junior.

5. Thornton Academy: After an 11-4 season that included a trip to the Western A final, Thornton graduated six all-conference players but can still battle with the likes of Scarborough and Cheverus as South Portland’s top challengers. Coach Ryan Hersey will look to attacks Charlie Katz and Jon Camire and returning midfielders Wyatt LeBlanc and Greg Ruff to lead a balanced offense. Isaac Patry and Tyler Lynn lead a revamped defense.

– Steve Craig