BOYS SOCCER PREVIEW ’11: Youth movement at Kentridge; Chargers at a glance

The dilemma was clear to Kentridge High boys soccer coach Glenn Walrond entering the spring season.

Play for the present or build for the future?

After a 4-8-4 season in South Puget Sound League North Division play last season, the answer appeared simple.

“Do we let (the younger guys) sit around or do we build?” Walrond said. “The game pace is a lot higher at the varsity level and we need the younger guys to experience that. When we graded guys out (during tryouts), there were a few guys on varsity last year who are on junior varsity (this year) … we just had some younger guys who graded out a little better.

“So we went young. It was kind of out of necessity.”

Indeed.

The Chargers graduated nine seniors from last year’s roster, including top goal scorers Scott Geffre and Anthony Legault. As such, Kentridge will be left to rely on a more evenly spread out group this year, a team that includes four seniors, two juniors, six sophomores and two freshmen.

Aside from being a less-experienced squad, there’s talent to be had here, Walrond said.

“If we can keep everybody’s heads in it, we’ll be OK,” the coach noted. “The hard thing is, with a young team, you have to really coach the psyche of the players. Talent wise, we will be OK.”

The talent begins with standout Sam Piehler (midfield), Wes Concepcion (defense) and Estebon Tobon (midfield), all three of whom earned second-team All-League status last spring.

Piehler, who has been on varsity since his freshman year, tallied Kentridge’s first goal of the season in a 1-1 tie against Tahoma. He and Tobon will be relied heavily upon this season to carry the Kentridge offense. It’s a role Piehler has no problem assuming.

“I’ve been doing this for a while and I am really enjoying it,” he said. “If there’s pressure, it’s only when I am not feeling good or don’t feel I have good touch.”

Meanwhile, Tobon has just recently returned from an ankle injury, which he suffered while playing for his club team in December.

“I was just going up for a header and came down wrong on my ankle,” Estebon explained. “I’ve got a pin and five screws in my ankle now. It’s sore, but I’ve still been training every day.”

Concepcion, one of the top field-goal kickers in the fall on the football field, will anchor the defense.

“Wes is the best defender on our team. Piehler is the most creative scorer,” Walrond said. “Estebon is just a very well-rounded player. He makes the guys around him better.”

But Walrond also has brought on a strong group of underclassmen, including freshman defender/midfielder Kyle Bratton, who could make a strong impact this spring.

“He’s really poised as a freshman,” Walrond said. “Even when he makes mistakes, he doesn’t hang his head. He’s got good size, good foot skills. He’s one of those kids that we can build around for the future.”

Of course, there’s still plenty to look forward to this season, Concepcion said.

“I think we’re definitely a contender,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent on this team. Everybody brings their own (talent) to the table. We can utilize everybody.”

CHARGERS: AT A GLANCE

• COACH: Glenn Walrond, 14th year.

• LAST YEAR: 4-8-4, 7th place in the SPSL North.

• TOP RETURNERS: Sam Piehler, sr., midfielder/forward; Esteban Tobon, jr., midfielder; Wes Concepcion, sr., defender; Shaun Walsh, so., defender; Connor Adams, so, forward; Ryan Walsh, sr., goalkeeper.

• TOP NEWCOMERS: J.J. Schmeck, so., midfielder; Kyle Bratton, fr., defender.

• OUTLOOK: The Chargers are going young this spring and it could take this bunch a while to come together as evidenced by the team’s 0-3-2 start. By season’s end, this is going to be a formidable team that should make some waves in the SPSL North. But will it be enough to earn a playoff berth?

• LAST STATE APPEARANCE: 2004.