Portage County boys soccer previews

Here are team-by-team glances for Portage County's 10 boys soccer programs, with area coaches providing info by filling out our preview form (all quotes are from that team's head coach unless otherwise stated):

Aurora Greenmen

Head Coach: Ryan Conner (21st season, 3rd at Aurora)

Assistant Coaches: Andy Straight, Marc Schneider

2021 Record: 9-6-3 (3-2-2 Suburban American)

Returning Letterwinners (10): Will Guzy, Bennett Winkler, Christian Viant, Felipe Machado, Alex Savukas, Jonah Shanhotzer, Ben Gallman, Parker Seitz, Coby Conner, Colin Dockman

Letterwinners Lost (5): Zach Geier, Bryson Pozniak, Matt Studer, Pedro Pastore-Montenegro, CJ Schreck

Outlook: The Greenmen return a decent amount of experience, including six players who have started for the varsity. That includes second team all-league standout Will Guzy in the midfield and Christian Viant, who received honorable mention accolades last season, on the back line. Four of Aurora's seven seniors will play defense, with Mitch Ganzhorn, Felipe Machado and Bennett Winkler joining Viant, with junior Ben Gallman and sophomore Keegan Broyles also playing on the back line. They'll protect first-time keeper Nathan Balkissoon, a multi-sport standout who also plays basketball and baseball for the Greenmen. Joining Guzy in the midfield are fellow senior Mason Ganzhorn; juniors Jackson Gilmore, Nate Just, Hunter Kanouff and Alex Savukas; sophomore Coby Conner and freshman Jordan West. Juniors Jonah Shanholtzer and sophomores Colin Dockman and Parker Seitz will play up top.

Crestwood Red Devils

Head Coach: Eric Sway (1st season)

Assistant Coach: Jose Perez

2021 Record: 7-11-0

Returning Letterwinners (10): Jayden Julian, Charlie Schweickert, Sam Wright, Kenny Stoots, Thomas Fusci, Andrew Pfost, Hans Seibold, Elijah Jurisch, Gavin Dunfee, Luke Wilcox

Letterwinners Lost (4): Travis Horner, Jacob Jakubowski, Jackson Wilcox, Drew Ferrari

Outlook: The Red Devils return one of the area's top attackers in Jayden Julian (21 goals, 8 assists), a senior who is "explosive and strong" with "eyes for the goal from anywhere on the field." Expect Gavin Dunfee, a "big, strong forward that can turn heads this season," to help fill the void left by the graduated Drew Ferrari (15 goals). Crestwood is equally stout on the opposite end, where junior keeper Charlie Schweickert is "in for a big year" after starting the bulk of the team's games as a sophomore. In front of Schweickert, the Red Devils "will be replacing almost the entire defense from last season." Expect seniors Kenny Stoots and Luke Wilcox to "hold down the middle," while sophomore Sam Wright leads the outside backs. Crestwood will be relatively young in the midfield, led by sophomore Elijah Jurisch (5 goals, 2 assists), who "has a strong work rate" and "is extremely skilled with the ball." Hans Seibold "will be a perfect complement to Elijah" as a strong defensive mid, while freshman Kyle Schelhamer "is a lengthy and fast outside midfielder that has great athleticism and speed."

Field Falcons

Head Coach: Juan Barreto (9th season, 5th at Field)

Assistant Coaches: Dru Pifel, Kevin Brastine

2021 Record: 9-6-3 (4-0-3 Metro Athletic Conference)

Returning Letterwinners (12): Gavin Greene, Garit Greene, Kyle Schoenbeck, Blake Montgomery, Ein Pierce, Caleb Brastine, Alec Grimm, Logan Lonzrick, Tucker Paull, Brayden Ronowski, Ben Stayer, Liam Waffen

Letterwinners Lost (5): Gaby Barreto, Skylar Thomas, Trent Hogan, Ryan Zreny, Gino Manno

Outlook: The Falcons graduated some top talent, including last year's Metro Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year Gabriel Barreto as well as Skylar Thomas (17 goals) and Gino Manno (6 goals, 2 assists). Though it lost a couple of top scorers, Field returns a dangerous forward in Kyle Schoenbeck, who was a second team all-league standout a season ago. The Falcons also have deadly scorers on defense in the Greene brothers (Garit and Gavin). Garit Greene, a first team all-league standout, scored six goals a season ago and is an "anchor" at center back. Gavin Greene, who snagged second team honors, has a tremendous throw-in and a real shot at Field's all-time assists mark. The Greene brothers will be joined on defense by seniors Blake Montgomery and Ein Pierce, sophomores Logan Lonzrick and Ben Stayer and freshmen Luke Lonzrick, Tucker Paull, Wyatt Rahe and Ben Stayer. They'll protect sophomore keeper Caleb Brastine, who hopes to maintain the Falcons' tradition of excellent goalkeeping, with Brastine backed up by freshman Cedric Martin. Sophomores Alec Grimm and Brayden Ronowski and freshmen Mitchell Adams and Carter Waffen will join Schoenbeck at forward, while Ronowski will also play midfield alongside sophomore Liam Waffen and Gavin Phillips.

Garfield G-Men

Head Coach: Michael Coney (13th season)

Assistant Coaches: Luke Wagner, Nolan Teece

2021 Record: 8-5-4 (7-3-0 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)

Returning Letterwinners (11): Andrew Wem, Cameron Edwards, Ethan Bittence, Aaron Gissinger, Matt Robinson, Kyle Schaefer, Onid Rinaldi, Andrew Borucki, Aaron Rodhe, Brody Justice, Tommy Wem

Letterwinners Lost (6): Colin Lysiak, Cole Reedy, Cody Justice, Matt Khairallah, Andy Crawford, Nate Gibson

Outlook: The G-Men return 11 letterwinners, including what should be a loaded attack led by a pair of all-district honorees. Junior Ethan Bittence, a second team all-district standout in 2021, "should be a prolific scorer," while senior Andrew Wem, who earned honorable mention, "will most likely play an attacking mid position and is very technical and quick." Junior Aaron Gissinger, who also earned honorable mention all-district honors last season, is a "natural defensive midfielder who is excellent at winning the ball and his work rate is second to none." On the back line, senior Cameron Edwards "is an intelligent defender who has both size and strength," while junior Aaron Rodhe is a "great on-the-ball defender who has plenty of speed." In net, sophomore Brody Justice replaces his graduated brother, Cody, and boasts "an extremely long reach" and "has the potential to be a standout."

Ravenna Ravens

Head Coach: Matthew Wunderle (12th season)

Assistant Coaches: John Morgan, Brady Starkey, Ian Johnston

2021 Record: 10-7-1 (3-3-1 Metro Athletic Conference)

Returning Letterwinners (11): Macen Beichler, Ben Hatcher, Nick Iurato, Diego Jasso, Mikey Myers, Dylan Phelps, Ben Rainone, Julian Rios, Derick Skilton, Chauncy Walton, Mason Ward

Letterwinners Lost (5): Roberto Carrion, Ayden Falkenberg, Blake Fitzgerald, Zack Myers, Will Rambler

Outlook: The Ravens are experienced all over the pitch, from up top, where Mason Ward was one of the county's top scorers last season and has only gotten "stronger, faster, and more focused," to the net, where Diego Jasso was last season's MAC Tournament Golden Gloves winner and is "looking to pick up where he left off." In between, Ravenna boasts a loaded midfield and a solid back line. Mikey Myers, "the complete package as a player," will lead the midfield, while Nick Iurato is "possibly the most creative player on the Ravens' roster." They'll be joined in the midfield by Ben Hatcher, who has "incredible vision and a high soccer IQ," Derick Skilton and newcomers Preston Hatcher and Aiden Hills. On defense, Chauncy Walton is "almost certainly the most improved player on the Ravens' roster," building on a "solid freshman season" and turning into a "first-class defender." Cam Smith will be "among the most physical defenders in the MAC," while Ben Rainone is a "dream to coach" and Macen Beichler could "prove to be a pivotal player" on the back line. Up top, Julian Rios is "due for a breakout season after flying under the radar his first two years" to complement Ward, while backup keeper Jayden Moore is "very solid technically" behind Jasso.

Roosevelt Rough Riders

Head Coach: Garyn Daniels (3rd season)

Assistant Coaches: Jason Marmash, Nathan Harris, Ryan Casazza

2021 Record: 10-5-4 (4-2-1 Suburban American)

Returning Letterwinners (11): seniors Daniel Hido, Alex Horak, Charlie Martin, Hunter Morris, Tyler Poluga, Ben Young; juniors John McKinney, Amir Spratt; sophomores Cole Christy, Ian Horak, Finn Obraza

Letterwinners Lost (19): Reese Campana, Mathias Broyles, Noah Locke, Ryan Noble, Ethan Jenkins, Will Stresing, Jayden Reynolds, Tristan Bryce, Patrick Kirby, Owen Richardson, Phillip Vorhauer, Griffin Pahls, Diego Morelos, Ben Pazderak, Justin Dunfee, Ryan Barkley, Cooper Liedtke, Ikram Naqash, Chaka Abe

Outlook: The Rough Riders return a loaded attack, led by all-district standouts Alex Horak (first team) and Amir Spratt (honorable mention). Horak, a senior who tallied 10 goals last season, "blends great speed with his dangerous left foot." Spratt, a junior who scored seven, has "added an array of different ways to score goals." Seniors Hunter Morris and Ben Young will "flank Spratt and Horak on the outside," with both possessing "great speed and crossing ability." Sophomore Cole Christy and freshman Simon Khan will vie for minutes up top, while junior Henrik Wong and sophomores Austin Housel and Tommy Kenworthy will provide "excellent depth." Senior Charlie Martin will lead the midfield "with his ability to dominate in the air," while sophomore Finn Obraza is a "very technical player." Junior Devin Hawthorne will help in the midfield with his ability to "read the game well," while freshman Simon Hassler "has a great motor," and seniors Jayanta Datta and Dylan Walker-Petrella will "provide great minutes." Senior Daniel Hido will move from midfield to the back line, where his "tough tackling combined with speed and the ability to win aerial challenges" will come in handy. "Tough one-on-one defender" Ian Horak, a sophomore, will also move from midfield to the back line, while junior John McKinney is a "big and strong center back." Tyler Poluga adds "great ability to play balls out the back" at outside back, while senior Jake Fankhauser, junior Finley Clapper and sophomores Brian Dugan and Max Kenworthy will see "significant minutes" in back. After the Rough Riders graduated their top three goalies, juniors Adam Khan and Sam Lanier take over, with Khan an "excellent 1-v-1 shot stopper" and Lanier "very athletic and good in the air." Junior Nik Smith and sophomore Alexios Avouris add depth at keeper.

Rootstown Rovers

Head Coach: Charlie Voth (21st season)

Assistant Coach: Aaron Miracle

2021 Record: 10-4-4 (5-2-1 Portage Trail Conference)

Returning Letterwinners (12): seniors Jeremiah Dick, Austin Greenwald, Simon Halaszi, Ben Kreitzburg; juniors Brady Fillmore, Trent Gauer, Nathan Pastor, Derek Schindler; sophomores Owen Burrell, Gianni Damicone, Zach Hays, Blake Postlethwait

Letterwinners Lost (4): Austin Burke, John Drago, John Fitzpatrick, Nick Roberts

Outlook: The Rovers are loaded up top, whether it be PTC Player of the Year Nathan Pastor in the midfield or senior Austin Greenwald and junior Brady Fillmore on the attack. Greenwald and Fillmore "have played varsity soccer since they were freshmen," with both bringing "speed and solid fundamentals, which can cause problems for opposing defenders." Pastor was Rootstown's leading scorer last season but was effective all over the field in pretty much any role. He'll be joined in the midfield by senior Jeremiah Dick and sophomore Owen Burrell. The Rovers also have experience in net in junior Trent Gauer, who has "been our starting keeper since he was a freshman." Gauer "improved tremendously a year ago," and the Rovers "are looking forward to watching him take another step this year." Returning letterwinners Ben Kreitzburg, a senior, and Blake Postlethwait, a sophomore, are the "team leaders on the back line," where sophomores Zach Hays and Gianni Damicone are also expected to "step into big roles this season."

Southeast Pirates

Head Coach: Curtis Ahrens (9th season, 4th at Southeast)

Assistant Coach: Justin Hovis

2021 Record: 2-13-2 (0-7-1 Portage Trail Conference)

Returning Letterwinners (4): Blake Dillner, Gavin Bertka, Trevor Gump, Owen Bowers

Letterwinners Lost (12): Mackenzie Campbell, Richie Haas, Michael Hetrick, Kaden Wood, Pierce Zorica, Michael Carroll, Brandon Levite, Logan Yost, Alessandro DeBella, Preston Muccino, Pau Blancafort, Kage Klatka

Outlook: Graduation hit the Pirates hard following their 2020 Portage Trail Conference championship, including the loss of Dominic Marchitiello and Mark Presley. Graduation hit hard once again this past offseason as Southeast lost 12 letterwinners. What's left is "an extremely young and green team that is limited on numbers." Two of the Pirates' four returning letterwinners are in the midfield in juniors Gavin Bertka and Blake Dillner, who will be asked "to lead the team this year offensively and defensively." Another returning letterwinner, junior Trevor Gump, will "lead our defense, which lost a tremendous amount the past two years." Behind Gump and the back line, sophomore Kendrick Campbell will take over in net with freshman Andy Clifford there to back him up. Sophomore Matt Fields "will be leading the charge up front," alongside fellow sophomore Owen Bowers, who will also play midfield.

Streetsboro Rockets

Head Coach: Paul Krzeminski (14th season)

Assistant Coaches: Jason Gasbarre

2021 Record: 9-9-1 (4-2-1 Metro Athletic Conference), sectional champ

Returning Letterwinners (7): Dom Incorvati, Taeven Genovese, Tristan Sadowski, Jack Pincoe, Billy Koroly, Vince Incorvati, Payton Krzeminski

Outlook: While the Rockets graduated three first team all-league standouts from a season ago (Matthew Burks, Stephen Koroly and Jake Smolik), they return talent all over the field. That includes Portage County's lone all-state honoree last season, Dom Incorvati, who will pair with his brother, Vince, to "shore up the center of the defense," alongside Gage Morris. Meanwhile, Easton Christine, Tyler Kamlowsky, Max McLaury and Aidan Mrakovich will "battle [it] out for the outside back spots." Streetsboro is also loaded up top, where Taeven Genovese and Payton Krzeminski are "two of the more technical players" on the team that happen to "play very well off of each other." The Rockets will also lean on Kevin Murphy and Josh Schneider at forward. Streetsboro's "very fit and fast" midfield will see Joe Maragos and Billy Koroly up the middle and Jack Pincoe and Tristan Sadowski on the flanks with Ethan and Preston Layea providing "quality depth." First-year starter Justin Brugman has "big shoes to fill" in net as he takes over for Burks, who earned first team all-league honors last season.

Waterloo Vikings

Head Coach: Rick Polinori (1st season)

Assistant Coach: Kyle Biltz

2021 Record: 4-9-3 (3-4-3 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)

Returning Letterwinners (6): Maxx Newkirk, Colin Twichell, Isaac Biltz, Vince Mori, Gabriel Jones, Kyler Wood

Outlook: The Vikings' strength is on the defensive end, led by seniors Maxx Newkirk, who is "very fast, very comfortable with the ball and moves well without the ball," and Gabriel Jones, a "smart player" and capable ball-handler who "can also shoot from long range." Junior Gavin McClinsey will also play on the back line after not playing soccer the past few years. All three defenders are "very solid" and will be joined by seniors Alex Rutligg and Isaac Vancura and freshman Gavin Overholt. They'll protect sophomore keeper Caleb Scheifel, who's "very comfortable with the ball at his feet," with Scheifel backed up by Mason Sweitzer. On the opposite end of the field, junior forward Kyler Wood is "skillful with the ball and a pretty fast player," and will be joined up top by seniors Everett Landin and Colin Twichell. Junior Isaac Biltz will lead the midfield, where he "can strike the ball pretty well." Sophomore Vince Mori is another scoring threat with the ability to "shoot with both feet" and is also a capable ball-handler in the midfield, where he'll be joined by freshmen Miles Cary and Overholt as well as Sweitzer.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: A team-by-team look at Portage County boys soccer in 2022