1. YARMOUTH: The defending Class B champion reloaded enough to overcome the loss of 2014 Telegram Player of the Year Adam Labrie and All-West back Walter Conrad (broken ankle in preseason). Senior captain Patrick Grant will be joined up top by senior Jon Groothoff, a transfer from California. Groothoff’s younger brother, Luke, a sophomore, and returning starter Matt Dostie fortify the midfield. Conor O’Donnell, Nicholas Kamra and Henry Coolidge are key returning starters.

2. THORNTON ACADEMY: The next four teams on the list, all from the SMAA, are evenly matched. The Golden Trojans must successfully meld new pieces into a cohesive unit. Simon Trcka (20 goals in 12 games) returns from the Czech Republic and is the top threat in a very strong league. Senior Dalton Moore (7 goals, 7 assists) is another capable scorer. Midfielders Cam Twombly and Noah Niles were members of the Seacoast United U16 team that went to the National Premier League final.

3. SCARBOROUGH: Eight starters are back for the perennial title contenders, including dangerous scoring threats Matt Caron and Garrett King. Caron, who will play forward and midfield, is “pretty vital to what we’re doing,” said Coach Mark Diaz. King was a matchup problem for top teams as a sophomore. Seniors Josh Morrissey (MF), Nick Lorello (D) and Sam Jacobs (D) are also key returners from a 15-1-1 team that was knocked off in the regional final by Cheverus.

4. GORHAM: The Rams were also unbeaten in the regular season (11-0-3) but the 21 varsity returners remember their loss in the quarterfinals. Goalie Trenton Bassingthwaite and midfielder Cody Elliott are returning all-SMAA first-team and All-Telegram choices. Jackson Fotter is a dangerous threat up top. Fotter and junior Tyler Richman were part of the Seacoast United national team. Ethan Orach adds another speed element at forward on a team with experience and depth.

5. CHEVERUS: What gives? The defending Class A champs return 10 starters and they’re only ranked fifth? It could easily be the Stags again at the top by season’s end. The scoring combination of striker Brady Levesque (another Seacoast United NPL standout) and All-Telegram midfielder Mackenzie Hoglund, and the gritty all-around play of back Andrei Vile are key components. Plus, playoff star Jake Tomkinson is back in goal and Coach Colin Minte has now won state titles with two Class A programs.

6. GREELY: The Rangers reached the Western Class B final, return six starters and are again the top threat to knock off Yarmouth. Jacob Nason returns as one of the league’s premier scoring threats and also will be asked to control the midfield. Senior defender and three-year varsity player Austin Nowinski is a key asset. Junior forward Hunter Graham (13 goals as a sophomore) has an array of moves and is a player opposing coaches keep an eye on.

7. CAMDEN HILLS: The Windjammers are moving up to Class A after a 12-1-2 Eastern Class B season was ended by rival Oceanside in the regional quarterfinals. They’ll be without senior all-East forward Jack Gallagher (season-ending knee injury). Senior forward Josh Pitcairn and junior midfielder Josiah Krul (another All-East pick) are both electric players. Kieran Lydon and Kienan Brown will help offset the loss of Gallagher up front. Senior back Tristan Fong and sophomore keeper Lucas Boetsch will lead the defense.

8. BRUNSWICK: The Dragons expect to join Camden Hills, Hampden Academy and Mt. Ararat in the hunt to track down Class A North favorite Lewiston. Forward Keenan Welzel (15 goals, 8 assists) and midfielder J.D. Souza (7 goals, 15 assists) create a dynamic tandem for a team that went 12-3-2, losing to Lewiston in the regional final. Brunswick did lose depth up the middle, meaning solid junior keeper Josh Dorr might be a little busier.

9. DEERING: In a trio that includes South Portland and Portland, Deering is best positioned to challenge for a top-four spot in Southern A with several key returners. Seniors Fernando Lopez and Jonathan Bujambi have complementary skills to form a strong midfield. State track champion Paolo DeMarco (300 hurdles) epitomizes team-wide speed. Tenacious defender Christian Castaneda and keeper Orey Dutton also return. Newcomers Matthew Alvarez (senior) and Iessa Ramadan (freshman) could contribute.

10. FALMOUTH: Veteran coach Dave Halligan believes his balanced team will be in contention. Senior keeper Jesse Melchiskey (9 shutouts, 0.62 goals-against average), junior midfielders Jonah Spiegel (another Seacoast United U16 player) and Johnny Mullen, and senior backs Michael Sanzari and Jack Engelberger will control possession. Falmouth needs a balanced scoring offense with sophomore Ben Wuesthoff (6 goals, 5 assists), senior Nigel Dunn and junior Matt Polewaczyk likely finishers.

– Steve Craig

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