1. Pike: Tyrone Martin, Aaron Kelsey and Ryan Frazier have graduated after leading the Red Devils to an undefeated regular season, but coach Rob Jordan believes his team may be even better this season. Midfielders Griffin Drake and Joe Amico, defender Sam Hay and forward Christian Carter return with midfielder Zack Mitiche (a transfer from Ben Davis), midfielder Erik Hanson and defender Quinton Horne ready to step in.
2. Brebeuf Jesuit: The Braves lost all-state back Daniel Keller (now at the University of Louisville) and C.J. Jackson but have their sights set on a state championship. Konner Atkin returns to lead a defense that includes star goalkeeper Erich Toth. Alec Kwo will direct the offense at midfield with Robbie Corr providing leadership. Nick Kirkpatrick and Jalen Brown are the team's top forwards.
3. North Central: The Panthers haven't been able to get out of sectionals the last two seasons and lose a lot of talent in Nikita Kotlov (now at Indiana University ), Sam Lane, Chris Hentschel and Will Maethner. But Matt Ingram is the most accomplished player in the area, and he'll have plenty of help from defender Jesse Miser and goalkeeper Sean Weidman, with defender San Ullrich and forward Tom Sanner expected to contribute.
4. Cathedral: The Irish will miss two-time all-state performer Joe Meyer (now at IUPUI) and his 24 goals but return seven starters, led by forward Max Odgaard (second team all-state) and fullback Kelley Ford.Braden Western, a transfer from Plainfield who had to sit out last season, is expected to make an impact. Repeat City and sectional championships would not be a surprise and coach Paul Schroeder believes his team is capable of making a deep tournament run.
5. Lawrence Central: Injuries led to an underachieving season last year in coach Joe Weber's eyes, but he believes the Bears can rebound if the medical report isn't as long this season. Charles and Brandon Leonard, Blake Bowers and Will Hilgendorf are gone from a 7-7-5 team but Ryan Amerman, Shane Ruggles, Gonzalo Castillo and Jordan Sanchez return with Patrick Draga and Graham Gardner ready to step in. Losses to Speedway in the County semifinals and Cathedral in the sectional championship provides plenty of motivation.
6. Lawrence North: The Wildcats have won just two sectionals in their history but coach Colin Miley was a member of the 2001 team and sees the ability to add a third title with his upperclassman- dominated roster. Lawrence North lost a pair of midfielders but defender Paul Gilson returns after playing nearly every minute last season and forward Garrett Enright (five goals, five assists) and midfielder Bobby Craig (three goals, four assists) return to pace the offense. Sophomore forward Eli Collazo will give the team an infusion of speed.
7. Park Tudor: One of the state's top small-school programs lost five key players off the team that reached the regional championship last season but returns a solid nucleus in Chris Callahan,Nevin Joseph,Carlin Hobbs, John Fisher and Josh Sobleski. Coach Bob Stigler expects Ian Fry to step into the lineup to join a promising freshman class.
8. Bishop Chatard The Trojans were 5- 10-3 last season but return their top players, led by seniors Cory Queisser and Julian Keefe. Junior Ian Beals will lead the defensive unit with classmate Casey McBeath adding an infusion of scoring at forward. Coach Tony Povinelli believes his team is ready to be competitive in one of the state's toughest areas for soccer.
9. Heritage Christian :Coach Landon Nelson is starting at the bottom after going 1-15 last year and losing top players Matt Goldsberry and Nick Sato, but he believes he has the young talent that will allow the program to rebound. Seniors Connor Richards and Evan Link return with Anders Rotto leading a talented sophomore class. Junior Chris Sato is also expected to step in and contribute.
10. International: The Gryphons have slipped since winning a sectional in 2007 but co-coaches Matthew Self and Chris Oler believe the program will improve on last year's .500 record despite the loss of three seniors. Holden Miller, Aaron Day, Mitchel Broughton, Henry Clark and Brian Greggs return with newcomer Freddie Clark from England.
11. Broad Ripple: First-year coach Rick Del Toro expects to raise the level of organization and expectations of the Rockets after starting all four years of his career at IUPUI and serving as captain in 2005 and '06. Ruben Costilla and Philip Helms return after leading the team in scoring last season and Eric Jefferson will pace the defensive unit. Broad Ripple's goal is to win the Indianapolis Public Schools Athletic Conference.