posted August 24, 2008
) Photo by Greg Davick CCS's Leah Wilson moves the ball in their playday match with Bradley Central. |
Official games start on Tuesday.
Area coaches once again have picked a pre-season top ten and the top team is no stranger to the #1 ranking.
The Baylor Red Raiders never been ranked anything lower than second in the five years we have been doing to the poll. They begin the 2008 season at the top.
Notre Dame is second, Soddy-Daisy is third and CCS was ranked fourth.
Baylor and Notre Dame open the season in the annual Baylor tournament this weekend but will not play each other. The two teams will meet at Baylor on September 23. Several of the state's top team will play in the tournament this weekend including Pope John Paul II.
Most teams begin games on Tuesday or Thursday of this week.
The only meeting of ranked teams this week is sixth ranked GPS play at 10th ranked Ooltewah on Thursday.
Fourth ranked CCS will open their season on the road at Class A/AA newcomer Signal Mountain who is playing a full varsity schedule in it's first year as a school.
Chattanoogan.com Preseason Poll:
1. Baylor
2. Notre Dame
3. Soddy-Daisy
4. Chattanooga Christian
5. Cleveland
6. GPS
7. Hixson
8. McMinn County
9. Boyd-Buchanan
10. Ooltewah
Notre Dame High School
COLORS: Green and White
REGION: 3 A-AA
DISTRICT: 6 A-AA
COACH: Jim Schermerhorn
2007 SEASON: After a very successful season the Lady Irish lost a heartbreaker to FRA by penalty kicks in the state semifinals last season.
2008 OUTLOOK: The Lady Irish lost eight seniors from last year's squad. Six were starting midfielders and defenders. Coach Schermerhorn hopes to keep his young team healthy and injury free.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kris Cambron, Danielle Ciabatone, Carrie Lieper, Darcy Brannen
OPENING MATCH: Baylor Tournament Labor Day Weekend
Chattanooga Christian
MASCOT: Chargers
COLORS: Navy Blue and Gold
REGION: 3 A-AA
DISTRICT: 5 A-AA
COACH: Cal Sneller
2007 FINISH: CCS finished second in the district and advance to the state semi-final match where they fell to CPA.
2008 OUTLOOK: The Lady Chargers graduated seven seniors from last year. Four of them (All-state player - Dana Streufert, Heather Lee, Jessica Ivey and Sarah Williams) were starters. As he enters a new season Coach Sneller is working to get his team healthy and playing well together.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Leah Wilson, Sr keeper
Logan Mays, Sr striker
Erin Rice, Sr midfielder, (but able to go everywhere)
Katie Johnston, Sr, striker
Chauncey Simmons, Hannah Farlett, & Kristen Thomas all junior 2 year starters
OPENING MATCH: CCS at Signal Mountain Thursday 7 p.m.
Cleveland
MASCOT: Raiders
COLORS: Blue, White and Red
COACH: Andy Byrd
REGION: 3 AAA
DISTRICT: 5 AAA
2007 SEASON: The Lady Raiders advanced out of their region but were defeated in substate by Seigal High School
2008 OUTLOOK: Cleveland lost two key seniors from last year's team. Christina Bahn was one of the teams leading scorers and Molly Simmons helped anchor their defense. Coach Byrd will be looking for new leadership on his team to take them
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Allison Simpson Soph keeper
Emily Jones Jr forward (earned the Best Of Preps Player Of The Year honor last season)
Katelyn McChesney Soph midfielder
Alex Stevenson Sr midfielder
Emily Gras Sr back (4 year starter)
OPENING MATCH: Cleveland at Rhea August 26, 7 p.m. EST
GPS
MASCOT: Bruisers
COLORS: Royal Blue and White
COACH: David Barrueta
2007 SEASON: GPS lost to eventual state champions BGA in the state semifinals
2008 OUTLOOK: Coach Barrueta is in his second year at GPS and is optimistic about his young team. After graduating six seniors from last year he hopes to be able to put 11 girls on the field who are all on the same page. He puts a lot of stock in his players' technical abilities, athleticism and their ability to read the game. Barrueta lost six senior starters.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Josie Rix, Sr midfielder
OPENING MATCH: GPS at Ooltewah August 26, 7pm
McMinn County
MASCOT: Lady Cherokees
COLORS: Black and Gold
REGION: 3AAA
DISTRICT: 5AAA
COACH: Bobby Earls
2007 SEASON: The Lady Cherokees finished runner-up to Cleveland in the District 5AAA tournament before falling to Soddy-Daisy in the region semifinals.
2008 OUTLOOK: Coach Earls lost seven seniors to graduation and one to injury from last year's team. His young team will be playing with only four seniors on this year's roster. "We will have to mature quickly and learn to play together," said Earls.
The Lady Cherokees are excited about playing at their new soccer complex constructed at the site of the old football stadium. After practicing at the facility for a few years it has now been transformed into a soccer specific facility. They hope to host their opening match on their new home field.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Abby Burke Sr sweeper
Desirae Foreman Sr defender
Jane Underdown Sr keeper
Taylor VanWagner Soph midfielder
OPENING MATCH: Cumberland County at McMinn County August 26 Time TBA
Boyd-Buchanan
MASCOT:Buccaneers
COLORS: Royal, Gold, White
DISTRICT: 5AA
REGION: 3AA
COACH: Jeff Stone
2007 FINISH:Lost in the Region Semifinals to Notre Dame and second place in District to Grace
2008 OUTLOOK: Key losses include Carla Clements, Melissa Baldwin, Kasey Toth (4 year keeper) Ami Warren Midfield. Coach Stone said the key to this team will be developing consistent play from returning players and development of young talent into midfield wing and defensive positions, development of freshmen keeper(s).
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sarah Rogers Jr midfielder
Samantha Pope Jr midfielder
Casey Riddle Sr stopper
Christina Owens Sr back
Meghan Day Sr forward
Katherine Johnson Soph sweeper/forward
Chattanooga Central
MASCOT: Purple Pounders
COLORS: Purple and gold
DISTRICT: 6
REGION: 3
COACH: Scott Phillips
2007 SEASON: 2-8, 0-2-1
Lost to Ooltewah in the district semis
2008 SEASON: Central will be replacing seven seniors including three year starting keeper, four year starting striker, their leading scorer and a starting defender. Over half of the team is new this season. The Lady Pounders will be relying heavily on four seniors for leadership and experience.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Ashley Harper Senior sweeper
Stephanie Raulston Senior midfield
Sara Dillard Senior midfield
Stephanie Duncan Senior defender
OPENING MATCH: Boyd-Buchanan at Central August 26, 7pm
McMinn Central
MASCOT: Chargerettes
COLORS: Columbia Blue and White
DISTRICT: 5
REGION: 3
COACH: Bill McConkey
2007 SEASON: 9-7-2, 5-3-0
2008 OUTLOOK: Central will be replacing Beth McDonald, defender and Kaitlyn Schrick, midfielder. Coach McConkey is working with his team as the young players mesh and get in step with the older players and hopes to see those coming off the bench contribute more than just giving someone a breather.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jaryn Davis forward
Ashley Johnson midfield
Molly Martin defender
OPENING MATCH: Silverdale at Central
Rhea County High School
MASCOT: Eagle
COLORS: Green and Gold
DISTRICT: 5
REGION: 3
COACH: Scott Heath
2007 SEASON: 0-16, 0-5
2008 OUTLOOK: The Lady Eagles return all of their players from last year. Keys to their success will be how well the team moves and talks on the field. Not having any feeder programs, the players tend to watch soccer instead of playing soccer. The team is young but will grow as the season goes along. As long as they play to their potential and work on bonding as one unit, then they will be winners.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sonya Bolton Jr. Forward
Cynthia Ayala Sr. Forward
Haley Zimmerman Jr. Defender
OPENING MATCH: Cleveland at Rhea County, August 26, 6 p.m.
Cumberland County
MASCOT: Jets
COLORS: Columbia Blue and Gold
DISTRICT: 5
REGION: 3
COACH: Angie Spitler
2007 SEASON: 5-7-2, 2-5-0
Lost to Cleveland in semi-finals
2008 OUTLOOK: The Lady Jets graduated five seniors from last year's team, the most significant, their leading scorer Genny Kemp. Coach Spitler is excited to have three of her players playing club ball. She is beginning to see a higher level of commitment to the sport. Because of budget issues the team has not been holding official practices and has been practicing without goals. If they can overcome some of these hurdles, they will be a team with much determination and drive and may be a team with some surprises this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Kelly Raulerson JR Mid/Forward
Abby Spitler FR Mid
Ellie Krumpols Soph. forward
Rebecca Kennedy Soph. Keep/d/mid.
Taylor Williams Sr. mid.4 yr starter
Alison Gentry Sr. forward..returning after missing 2 seasons
OPENING MATCH: TBA, Budget issues has delayed the beginning of school.
Information submitted by coaches
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |