SPSL NORTH SOCCER: AT A GLANCE
• FAVORITES: Auburn Riverside, Thomas Jefferson.
• CONTENDERS: Kentlake, Kentridge, Kentwood.
• PLAYOFFS: The top four teams from the SPSL North earns berths to the postseason, with the top three gaining automatic spots in the district playoffs. The fourth-place team from the North will play the fourth-place team from the South for the final SPSL berth to district.
• OUTLOOK: The re-shuffling of the North Division won’t make things any easier. Auburn Riverside, which is returning to the North with Auburn after a two-year stint in SPSL 3A, already has been pegged by league coaches as the team to beat. And why not? The Ravens won the SPSL 3A last year, advanced to state and return SPSL 3A MVP Oscar Diaz, among numerous other standouts. But by no means will AR run away with this thing, as perennial power Jefferson returns plenty of firepower. So do Kentlake and Kentridge. Kentlake appears to be on the brink of great things with all-leaguers Drew Landram and Tyler Wright back in fold. The Falcons advanced to the postseason last year for the first time in school history and enter this season as legitimate North contenders. But Kentridge can’t be overlooked. The Chargers return a bevy of talent, led by first-team forward Scott Geffre, second-team defender Paul Boscole and honorable mention goalkeeper Alex Ferguson. Meanwhile, Kentwood and Jefferson are the two teams in the North that qualified for state a year ago. The Conquerors won the North last season, but will look vastly different this spring as senior midfield Bryan Carlson is the team’s lone returning starter. In addition, defender Joe Angevine, a three-year starter, is still recovering from a broken ankle suffered during football season. At Kent-Meridian, the Royals graduated much of last year’s team and have struggled with injuries already this season. Despite that, K-M has some tools for success, including senior midfielder Fermin Samario along with junior standouts Jordan Roberts and Chuck Kibbie.
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