August 10, 2009

FOOTBALL POLL

* Share your thoughts on this Fab 5 poll in the Hacks BLOG

Cincinnati Big-School Division -PREASON RANKINGS

Colerain – returns the nucleus of their offense that led them to the Regional Finals last season where they fell to Elder 27-20 in double overtime.  Tyler Williams and Traylon Durham (both rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season) will anchor the backfield when the Cards need to run.  Senior QB Greg Tabar looks to end his career with a state championship and you can always count on tough defensive from this squad.

Elder - has some unfinished business from last season when they lost in the state championship 28-20 to Cleveland St. Ignatius.  Senior Mark Miller who threw for nearly 2,000 yards last season will be without the services of leading receivers Josh Jones and Michael Del Prince due to graduation.  The defense will have a lot of returning seniors which can make a difference come playoff time.

Middletown – After beating Colerain to move into first place in the GMC last season the Middies suffered gut wrenching back-to-back losses to Lakota West and Hamilton costing them the title and a playoff birth.  Senior QB Caleb Watkins who led the team in passing (2089 yards) and finished second on the team in rushing will be complimented by leading rusher Antonio Banks.  The Middies have had a year to live with their late season misfortune as they have their eyes set on the GMC title.

St. Xavier – The Bombers lost four (4) games last season by 5 points or less with one of those being to eventual state champion St. Ignatius.  Senior QB Luke Massa looks to get his team and winning tradition back on track and compete for the GCL title.  St. X finds themselves ranked 4th because they have an excellent system that has been very successful and until a pattern presents itself last season can be counted as a fluke.

Lakota West – The Firebirds will be without their leading rushers from last season Stephen Houston (Thunder) and Rick Finley (Lightening) due to graduation.  TE Alex Smith who led the team in receiving will be called upon to play an even bigger role in the offense.  Sr. Linebacker Jordan Hicks who many say is the best player in the tri-state will anchor the middle of the defense.  Hicks is one of those young talents that can change a game with his play.

Cincinnati Small-School Division -PREASON RANKING

Winton Woods – Sr. QB Dominique Brown who led the Warriors to an unbeaten 5-0 record en route to their Buckeye Division title in the FAVC returns with fellow teammates Jeremiah Goins and Juan Glover.  The Warriors won the battle but lost the war as they lost to arch rival Anderson in the playoffs.  Winton Woods returns a lot of talent, a tremendous amount of team speed and the feeling of unfinished business into this season.

Turpin – The Spartans only lost two games last season but both happened to be against Kings (who ended last season’s poll in the top 5 but lost a lot on offense due to graduation).  Turpin will have junior QB Eric Martin when they need to air it out and senior RB Wayne Dunham who rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season.  Some senior leadership was lost on the defensive side of the ball and needs to be accounted for to do better than the 9-2 record of last season.

Roger Bacon – QB Jason Ungerbuehler along with running backs Jorian Hudson and Trey Rice look to propel the Spartans into the playoffs as the talented trio seek to raise Roger Bacon football to a new level.  Ungerbuehler is a threat with his arm, finding WR Jake Rose when he does pass, or with his feet as shown by rushing for 318 yards last season.  Solomon Tentman (Division I recruit) anchors the defense from his linebacker position and is joined by...

Badin – The Rams will find themselves with a new head coach Bill Tenore and without a lot of seniors who led the team to back-to –back playoff appearances.  Replacing Zach Toerner at QB will be Patrick Coyne who comes over from LaSalle and has all the tools to put up the same type of numbers as Toerner.  Nate Snellgrove will be called upon to grind up the turf will special teams player Jeff Smith could be a game changer should they find a way to get the ball into his hands more often.

Loveland – Sr.  Wide receiver Isaac Spence will be moving into the new role of running back.  The Tigers will look for Spence to use his natural talents to make things happen.  Sr. QB Adam Engel will find himself operating behind a line that returns all of its starters from last season where he looks to build upon his 13 TD performance.   The Tigers also return their front line on defense and expect to be bigger and stronger which should help stop the run and control the game.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY FOOTBALL POLL

Cincinnati Big-School Division -PREASON RANKINGS

Highlands – Highlands is the class of 5A in Northern Kentucky football and the entire state for that matter.  The Bluebirds will depend on a new QB in Will Bardo who has all the physical tools to lead them to their third consecutive title.  Add to the mix the return of Austin Collinsworth on defense and Nick Buten pulling down passes and Highlands once again could be lifting the trophy.

Beechwood – Beechwood has built and incredible program that just continues to reload every year with talent.  The Tigers are heads above the other 1-A teams in Northern Kentucky which don’t provide much competition for them year in and year out.  Senior QB Matt Rigdon and RB Joe Colosimo can provide enough offense for another state title run.

Newport Catholic – NewCath is still aching from a heart breaking loss in the state championship last season and can’t wait to return.  They lose a lot on the offensive side of the ball with the departure of Mark Kelly and Rob Hues but the Thoroughbreds will be strong enough to win another District 2-6 title.

Simon Kenton – Simon Kenton played their worst game of the season last year during the state championship where they were pummeled by Trinity 48-0.  The Pioneers will be loaded by talent this season and are led once again by last year’s Enquirer player of the Year Miles Simpson.  Simpson and the rest of the Pioneers have unfinished business and won’t be satisfied with anything short of a state title.

Boone County – One can only imagine how great Boone County teams would be had the school not split off to become Conner, then Ryle and now Cooper High School.  The Running Rebels have always seemed to have a good team but the reduction in available talent is bound to catch up with them sooner or later.  They aren’t called the Running Rebels for nothing and senior RB Charles Quainoo rushed for 1,887 yards last season.  Quainoo is just the most recent in a line of good backs to come out of BC with Shaun Alexander being the most famous.

BOYS SOCCER POLL

Cincinnati Big-School Division -PRESEASON RANKINGS

St. Xavier– The Bombers always seem to be in the thick of things when it comes to soccer and this year’s squad will return two of their top three scorers from last year in Christopher Nam and Michael Archbold.  Gone is the senior leadership in the goal so the Bombers could be tested early.

Turpin – Turpin like St. X has developed a strong soccer program and are able to reload every year instead of having to rebuild.  The Spartans Joe Hovde will have to take on the role this year of leading scorer but with Michael Petitgout feeding him the ball it shouldn’t be an issue.

Loveland– Greg McMullen and Tyler Beachy return to pick up where they left off and that is burying the ball in the back of the net.  The Tigers will also enjoy an influx of freshmen talent that many are expecting great things from by the time they are juniors but freshmen have shown over and over the ability to step up.  Should this young crop mature early the Tigers could make a great run come tournament time.

Mason – Caleb Eastman and Robert Winkler return along with a cast of talented players from last year’s squad that many had slated as the state champions but St. X ruined that dream.  The Comets will challenged for the GMC title this year along with Fairfield and Lakota West.

Fairfield – The Indians round out the top 5 but several other teams such as Sycamore, Lakota West, and Milford could have been here as well.  Fairfield gets the nod due to the return of Kyle Troutman and Marc Hansson who will have a solid supporting cast.  Don’t be surprised to see a three-way tie atop the GMC between the Indians, Firebirds and Comets.

Cincinnati Small-School Division - PRESEASON RANKINGS

Dayton Carroll – The defending state champions don’t expect to rest on their laurels.  While a 20-1 record isn’t likely again this season they will still be the team to beat in 2009.  Coach Molfenter hopes last years success is a stepping stone for great things to come.

Summit Country Day– Alex Priede scored a whopping 44 goals last season as a junior.  Priede will be attacking the nets again with teammate Michael VanSant.  Senior leadership is important on both sides of the ball and SCD will benefit from goalkeeper Scott Mays (12 shutouts last season)

Cincinnati Christian – Gone is last year’s scoring sensation Dylan Hoop who like Alex Priede of SCD scored 44 goals.  However returning for his senior season Jamie Baillie along with last year freshman Kollin Thomas (3rd in scoring) should provide enough scoring options to keep CC challenging for the league title.

McNicholas– The Rockets return senior FWD Andrew Sherman and junior Austin Pierce to a squad that finished 11-2 last season and won the GCL Central.  McNick.  Sherman and Pierce were 2nd and 3rd in scoring but will need to increase their output for the Rockets to take that next step.

Cincinnati Hills / Mariemont / Indian Hill – All of these teams have been hit hard by graduation as most if not all of their scoring is gone from last year.  They are solid teams playing for solid programs but it was too tough to pick one as we will have to wait and see how the season unfolds.

GIRLS SOCCER POLL

Cincinnati Big-School Division -PRESEASON RANKINGS

St. Ursula– The Bulldogs look for a repeat performance from last year’s Division I state championship  title.  Starting off the preseason ranked No. 1 by ESPN Rise Fab 50 is a good way to start.  Elizabeth Burchenal who is the teams top offensive player (orally committed to UNC) and Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe (committed to Wake Forest) are just two of several key players that are returning.

St. Ursuline – Desirae Ball returns without the services of teammate Maddie White who graduated from last season’s squad.  Monica Melink will be relied upon to fill the scoring void left by White and provide a solid scoring option alongside Ball.  St. Ursuline is coming off a 13-1 record from last season but without a state title that would have been a great end to a great year.

Milford– The Eagles managed a 16-2 record last season as they were led by freshman scoring sensation Morgan Wolcott who put 17 into the back of the net.  Wolcott will be joined by returning scorer C.G. Bryant.  Controlling the nets on the defensive side of the ball will be Kylie Gullage who racked up 8 shutouts last season.  With a year under their belt this young team could exceed last seasons accomplshments.

Little Miami – Returning starters Stephanie Juillerat and Holly Fuston combined for 49 goals last season and there are no signs of stopping these two from torching the nets.  Like Milford they have a lot of youth but talented youth that plays with the composure of seniors.  Goalkeeper Allison Keeney will anchor the defense.

Oak Hills – Mason may have found themselves in this position but too many losses on both sides of the ball due to graduation open the door for Oak Hills who finished second the GMC.  The Highlanders will return their second leading scorer  Niki Hadlon but she will need some help if Oak Hills is to maintain their top 5 ranking.

Cincinnati Small-School Division - PRESEASON RANKINGS

Fenwick – The Lady Falcons are defending state champions and until someone knocks them out of that position they will start the season with the number one ranking.  The Falcons are without leading scorer Alexis Heard but Mackenzie Hamilton will get the opportunity to be the leader on this teams squad.

Madeira – Madiera lost in the state Semi-Finals last season to eventual winner Fenwick.  Like the Falcons, Madeira will loose their leading scorer from last year Alexis Carter.  They are in good hands however with junior Katie Landgrebe who found the back of the net 18 times.  Senior goalkeeper Mary Hyde had an impressive 14 shutouts last season and will be counted on to keep their opponents out of the net.

Badin – The Rams hope to improve on their regular season as well as their tournament record as they fell in the Regional Finals last season to Madeira.  Leading scorers Allie Crossley and Sydnee Fields return for the Rams to give them one of the better scoring combo’s in the GCL.  The Rams are starting out ranked 3rd but could move up into the #1 spot before the end of the year.

Mariemont – Sr. Kelsey Hogan gets another year to try for a state title.  Hogan scored 27 goals during the regular season and like the rest of her team were disappointed to lose early in the playoffs.  This team will have to fill some holes on the front line and in the net if they are to keep pace with the rest of the league but with Hogan on the field it is possible.

CCD – The return of the top three scorers on the team as well as several key players gives CCD the nod to make it into the top 5 this season.  Alexandra McInturf, Corey Tipton and Xannie Brown will give defenses fits as this well balanced trio can score quickly and often.  Blythe Gross-Hutton will have the net all to herself this year and is expected to be a key factor.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL POLL

Cincinnati Big-School Division – PRESEASON RANKINGS

Ursuline– The Bulldogs look to get back to the state championship where they lost 3-1 in a hard fought contest against Olmstead Falls.  Ursuline will be loaded with senior leadership across the board.  Dannie Reinert, Annie Juenger & Anna Prickel are deadly when it comes to serves.  Reinert led the team with a whopping 904 assists and could break 1,000 this year.  Kori Moster led the team in defense with 607 digs, something that takes a lot of heart to get down and get those balls.

Mount Notre Dame – The Cougars were hit hard with senior graduation as last year’s Regional Champions had to say goodbye to Kylee Tarantino, Kelly Morrissey and Amanda Wilken.  MND like the other GCL teams seem to reload rather than rebuild and you can bet that there are other talented players to step in and fill the roles that have been vacated.

Mercy– Stephanie Vorherr who led the team in aces, kills and digs last season has graduated and passed the baton to Emily Caldwell, Megan Wanstrath and Julie Murray.  Mercy is in good hands with this trio leading the way, having another year under their belt.

Lakota West – The Firebirds break the GCL dominance by representing the GMC in the top 5.  West returns with a young team that is very talented.  The Firebirds struggled during the regular season but put it together to claim District Champion before falling to MND in the tournament.  Mel Stewart, Kristie Kaa, Shannon Breen are just a few of the returning players that were key to the team’s success.  The Firebirds look solid for the future.

Lakota East– The Thunderhawks will be hurt some due to graduation but the Hawks, winners of the GMC last season return Meredith Garda and Hannah Berling for another year.  Garda is a very solid all-around player and one of the best defensive players in the GMC.  Mason and Lebanon could have taken this 5th spot but graduation has depleted their ranks even more than East.

Cincinnati Small-School Division – PRESEASON RANKINGS

Alter – The Knight’s finished last season with a hard fought but eventual loss to Padua Franciscan in the state championship.  Alter plays a tough schedule during the regular season against DIV I opponents like Ursuline and Mercy that prepare them well for DIV II competition.

Fenwick – The Falcons look to continue their winning ways as they ended last season as Regional Runner Up.  Fenwick will return several key players including Alyssa Beck and Chelsea Byrge who will be returning for their junior season.

Indian Hill – The Braves lost several key players (Lizzy Flynn, Amy Taylor & Maggie Striebich) to graduation but should have enough firepower with the return of Aubrey Rogers, Maddie Flynn and Tracy Striebich.  The Braves look to avenge their tournament loss last season to eventual state runner up Alter.

Roger Bacon – Katie Groh will look to pick up where she left off last year as she led the Spartans in aces, kills and digs.  Groh will have fellow teammate Stephanie Gruenwald beside her as they look to improve on last years success and make a run for the title.

Cincinnati Christian – Like a lot of teams this year the Cougars will have to deal with the loss of senior leadership but lucky for CC they return Sarah Carroll and Casey Reames for their senior year.  Both players provide a solid foundation for the Cougars to count on.

Note:  Many teams were hit hard by graduation which will make for an exciting year as some or many of these teams could find themselves out of the Final Rankings by seasons end.