By: Marc Hardin, Enquirer contributor
The following in the Northern Kentucky boys soccer preview for the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Covington Catholic's Griffin Lamb slips past Fern Creek's Jelcin Zuniga.(Photo: The Community Recorder/James Weber)
Covington Catholic's state championship-winning soccer season was such a monumental event -- the first-ever for a Northern Kentucky boys' team -- that the Colonels are collecting kudos nearly a year later.
CovCath is ranked 11th in the recently released USA Today Sports Super 25 preseason poll following a record-breaking 24-2-2 finish that delivered a 17th regional title and 19th consecutive district championship, 28th overall.
The Colonels set program records for wins, goals scored and shutouts with 18 seniors, nine that started. With two starters returning, varsity experience is in short supply this time around. However, the cupboard isn't bare at CovCath.
"We had a fun year. I'm happy they voted us. It doesn't mean anything for this season," coach Jeremy Robertson said of the national ranking. "You can get out of the top 20 as quick as you can get in. We have a lot to prove with a lot of guys who were blocked by seniors. I look at it as an opportunity and a challenge."
The Ninth Region hasn't had a repeat champion since 2010. The Colonels won their first regional crown since 2009. Hoping for another are senior returning starters Stephen Schutte in the midfield and forward Griffin Lamb, who scored a pair of goals in the state final and finished the season with 18. Senior defender Michael Vogt and versatile senior forward Cole Stava have starting experience. Juniors Jacob Blom, a midfielder, and defender John Dietz are key first-time starters.
"I think we'll be pretty competitive for losing 18 seniors," Robertson said. "Are we going to take our lumps? Yeah, especially early on, but we can compete for the region and get back to state."
Runner-up Ryle, semifinalists Cooper and Dixie Heights and quarterfinalists St. Henry, Highlands, Newport Central Catholic and Holy Cross entertain strong chances of returning to the Ninth Region tourney. The season for CovCath starts Tuesday with a marquee matchup pitting the past two regional champs as host vs. St. Henry at the Colonel Cup.
"I would say CovCath is still No. 1. They will be good at the end, and then St. Henry. You could flip-flop them," Dixie coach Jeff Scroggin said. "Ryle is in there, too."
Ryle, the defending 33rd District champ, welcomes back six starters led by standout goalkeeper Will Bedel, defender Justin Crupper and versatile Nate Hoffman. Cooper possesses one of the area's finest talents in Adam Snow. A returning all-state honorable mention with 29 goals and 13 assists, the senior is the only Kentuckian on the watch list for December's 2016 Boys High School Soccer All-American Game in North Carolina. Boone County has more than a dozen seniors including midfielder Nathan Rice.
St. Henry has nine returning starters including midfielder Ian Manahan and striker D.J. Sanders (24 goals). The Crusaders have won the 34th District three of the past four years. They need to fend off Dixie, returning four starters led by Mason Sansone and Noah Mills.
Newport Central Catholic, featuring scorers Eddie Schultz and Logan Muck, has won three of the past four 36th District crowns but Highlands is a threat.
In the Eighth Region, four-time defending 32nd District champ Simon Kenton is attempting to make a breakthrough under Jeremy Wolfe, the dean of local head coaches with 19 years at the helm. He has four returning starters, including seniors Blake Chadwick and Bryce O'Hara. South Oldham is defending regional champ. "We haven't won the region since 1990," the coach said. "Winning that is our ultimate goal."
In the 10th Region, defending 37th District champion Bishop Brossart and seniors Cody Chism, Trevor Kahman and Sam Hildreth are seeking a repeat district crown. The Mustangs will be challenged by runner-up Campbell County and Scott. Montgomery County is defending regional champ. Brossart is the defending local All "A" Classic champion.