HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER SEASON OUTLOOK

Ardrey Kell:	Don’t let the “new school” label fool you.  The Knights, led by Head Coach Jeff Mercado will contend for a playoff berth and could upset one of area heavyweights.   Junior Richie Wall is among the best players in Mecklenburg County.  Give these Knights a year or two to develop and sit back and watch them make a charge for the league title.
Butler:	Butler made it to the state playoffs last season before losing to South Meck.  The addition of Ardrey Kell may make things tougher in the league for Butler.  Defense will be key in this league as 2 goals may be enough to win on many nights. Senior Ryan Smith is one of the top players in the area and teams will have to contain him to beat Butler.
Charlotte Catholic:	The Cougars are among the strongest and most physical teams in the area.  They finished the year ranked in the top 5 for 3-A schools and should do the same this year.  All-Conference player Alexander Drummond returns for Cougars after scoring 17 goals last year. Andy Biermann will be counted on to provide senior leadership. A tough game looms on October 14th with powerhouse Myers Park. Cougars scored over 100 goals last year, so offense isn’t going to be a problem.  Can they advance past the fourth round of playoffs this season?
Charlotte Christian:	Christian has one of the top goalkeepers in the state, Clint Irwin.  It’s not going to be easy for teams to score on Christian.  The Latin games on September 26 and October 12 will be big games.  Charlotte Christian needs to find a way to win at least one of these games if they want to be a powerhouse team in 2006.
Charlotte Latin:	Latin only returns a few starters from their state final runner-up team in 2005.  Expect Latin to simply reload and be among the best Private School teams in the state.  All their opponents have circled Latin on their schedules, but expect only a few to beat the Hawks in 2006.
Providence :	Head Coach Darren Shunkwiler returns to Providence after leading the Lady Panthers from 1997-2003.  Team will be very talented, despite losing 14 seniors last year.  Panthers lost some depth to Ardrey Kell.  Aaron Langhough and Brian Webster look to lead Providence to a possible playoff bid.  Shunkwiler will have this team back near the top in just a few short years. Games with Ardrey Kell and South Meck will be big rivalry games.
Providence Day:	Head Coach William Finneyrock hopes to lead Providence Day to a successful 2006 season.  Latin will play the Chargers twice this season, October 10 and October 19.   Chargers will rely on tough defense and steady goalkeeping this season.
South Mecklenburg:	South Mecklenburg has a very strong team and will be ranked in the North Carolina top-ten during some point of the season.  The key is to beat Myers Park, Ardrey Kell and Providence and be ranked at the end of the season.  Chris Zerner will be the leader of the Sabres and be among the top players in Charlotte once again.  In any other league in the state, South Meck is picked as the favorite.
Weddington:	Head Coach Ray Fumo will be looking for more offense in 2006.  Weddington plays in one of the toughest leagues for soccer in the state.  The winner of this league will have earned it.  Count on Weddington to pull a couple of upsets as the soccer program continues to improve.  Junior Logan Bell knows how to play great defense and will be a huge asset for Weddington.