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Pinellas: Boys soccer preview

By BOB PUTNAM AND BRANDON WRIGHT
Published November 7, 2007

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COUNTRYSIDE - If Countryside's version of the Roman Empire fell last year when the Cougars, ranked No. 1 in the nation, lost in the region finals to Alonso, coach Dave Sica has a message for his team this season.

"Rome wasn't built in a day," he said. "That's our quote for the year."

Gone are a whopping 10 starters from last season, including first-team all-county selections Jeff Attinella, Eddie Lopez and Kyle Kuhlman.

"It's definitely different looking out onto the field this year," Sica said. "But at the same time it's exciting because these guys now have a chance to show what they can do."

Replicating last season would be nearly impossible, even for a seasoned team.

Defensive center-midfielder Karl Swan returns as the lone starter, but Sica is excited by what he has seen . Richie Struder, Joe Gratt and Greg Crowell saw significant minutes last season and will be counted on heavily. The Cougars also will feature a pair of freshmen, Jagger Martinez and Derya Ekren, in the attack. Hunter Maricle, out for another week with a broken right foot, will take over in goal for Attinella and Lopez is replaced by Gabe Torres, who played as a freshman and returns after a two-year absence.

"It definitely will be nice not having that target on our backs this year," Sica said. "Very nice."

 

Class 6A-7

Teams: Alonso, Countryside, Gaither, Mitchell, St. Petersburg, Sickles

Defending district champ: Countryside

Runnerup: Alonso

Skinny: One of the tougher districts , the field will be more even with Countryside losing so many players from last year. Gaither, Mitchell and St. Petersburg are capable teams. Combine that with a strong Alonso team and this one is up for grabs.

Class 5A-9

Teams: Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Largo, Palm Harbor University, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs

Defending district champ: PHU

Runnerup: East Lake

Skinny: PHU loses a ton of talent from last year's state runnerup team, most notably two-time Pinellas scoring champ Eugene Starikov and Times all-county first-teamers Sebastien Millette and Levi Curnutte. East Lake will have to replace Mark Christiansen, but the bulk of its attack returns. The Eagles and Hurricanes figure to battle it out for district supremacy.

Class 5A-11

Teams: Boca Ciega, Dixie Hollins, Gibbs, Lakewood, Northeast, Osceola, Seminole

Defending district champ: Seminole

Runnerup: Lakewood

Skinny: Many in soccer circles seem to think the Warhawks are the team to beat this season in Pinellas, and it may be coach Rick Masi's best team in years. The Warhawks have a huge backline and a talented midfield, led by Sebastian Thuriere. Lakewood should have a solid club again, but this is Seminole's district to lose.

Class 3A-9

Teams: Berkeley Prep, Clearwater Central Catholic, Lennard, St. Petersburg Catholic, Tampa Catholic

Defending district champ: CCC

Runnerup: SPC

Skinny: CCC loses a host of talent from last year's team that made a run to the state final before losing 2-1 (2 OT) to a loaded American Heritage club. Replacing Times player of the year Adam Martin (goalkeeper) and first-teamer Chris DiNapoli on the field will be a challenge, but their leadership may be an even bigger loss.

Class 2A-10

Teams: Calvary Christian, Cambridge, Indian Rocks Christian, Tampa Prep

Defending district champ: IRC

Runnerup: Calvary Christian

Skinny: Calvary Christian blazed through last season before a shocking loss in the district finals to IRC. This district features two of the best small-school players in the area in IRC's Jonny Sitton and Calvary's Greg McClimans, who was the county's second-leading scorer last season. Tampa Prep, 2A state champion last season, joins the district.

Class 2A-11

Teams: Admiral Farragut, Canterbury, Keswick Christian, Northside Christian, Shorecrest Prep

Defending district champ: Shorecrest

Runnerup: Admiral Farragut

Skinny: Shorecrest and Admiral Farragut have a number of holes to fill but likely will duke it out again for the top spot. Keswick has a pair of goal scorers in Kenny Lucas and James Calvert, but the Chargers will have to wait until football season is over before they suit up.

 

Players to watch:

Luis Marraquin, Largo - Speedy forward led the Packers in scoring but is still kicking for the football team.

Steve Mallue, St. Petersburg - The Green Devils' leading scorer a season ago, Mallue has a great nose for goal.

Sebastien Thuriere, Seminole - Thuriere had an injury-plagued 2006-07 season, but may be the most complete player in the area.

Ishmail Kamara, PHU - With Starikov graduated, this speedy striker will have to carry the scoring load.

Karl Swan, Countryside - The only returning starter for Countryside, Swan will anchor the midfield.

Drew Petzoldt, East Lake - Great speed and shot, Petzoldt could have a breakout year for a very good East Lake club.

Josh Charpie, Tarpon Springs - Tough, aggressive player who can do a bit of everything.

Trevor Pusch, East Lake - As Pusch goes, so goes the Eagles attack.

Max Gallin, PHU - Gallin takes over this year at goalkeeper and should make an immediate impact.

Greg McClimans, Calvary Christian - McClimans was one goal off the scoring championship last season, earning first-team all-county honors.

[Last modified November 6, 2007, 20:50:08]