City High

Coach: Jose Michel Fajardo (13th season)

Assistant coaches: Troy Osborn, Phillip Hansen, Chris Evans.

Last season’s finish: 20-1, 13-0 MVC, Class 3A state runner-up.

Returning starters: Sam Tomek, Sr., GK; Gavin Oliver, Sr., MF; Hunter TeDuits, Jr., D; John Clark, Jr., D; Rasmus Schlutter, Sr., MF; Jonah Dancer, Jr. MF; Cameron Chavez, Jr., MF; Jackson Meyer, Jr. D; Fadhili Baloci, Sr. MF; Ethan TeDuits, Jr., D; Daniel Echa, Sr., MF.

Newcomers to watch: Ben Steve, Soph., D; Yves Shabani, Sr. D; Wilfreid Kadohou, Jr. GK; Miguel Sola, Soph., MF; Jack Murphy, Sr. D; Imata Mwenenkamba, Sr. D; Mason Priest, Soph., MF; Jonathan Brown, Soph., D; Lucas Ribble, Soph., MF; Amani Sila, Jr. D; Aam Engelbrecht, Fr. MF; John Geerdes, Soph., D.

Headliner: Senior Rasmus Schlutter is the top returning scorer from the Little Hawks’ state runner-up squad after scoring six goals and handing out six assists last season.

Keep any eye on: Junior midfielder Jonah Dancer is already a three-year letterwinner and has scored nine career goals and added nine assists the past two seasons.

Circle the date: April 21 vs. West High.

Outlook: City High has plenty of holes to fill with the departure of eight starters from last year’s Class 3A runner-up squad but has the depth and talent to fill those holes and make another title run. Dancer (5 goals), Schlutter, Jackson Meyer (5 goals) and Cameron Chavez (4 goals) all expect to take on bigger offensive roles this season while the defense benefits from the return of all-state keeper Sam Tomek.

West High

Coach: Brad Stiles (17th season)

Assistant coaches: Quentin Fisher, Justin Baker, Tucker Muth

Last season’s finish: 17-3, 12-1 MVC, Class 3A state quarterfinalist

Returning starters: Zach Frisbie, Sr., GK; Conor Zielinski, Sr., CB; Adam Rose, Sr., OB; Nick Raley, Sr., MF.  

Other returning letterwinners: Sam Choi, Sr., F; Will Peterson, Sr., CB; Harry Zielinski, Jr., MF; Zach Logsden, Sr., MF; Mike Schilling, Jr., MF.

Newcomers to watch: Coleson Krupp, Soph.; Brody Schilling, Fr.

Headliner: Nick Raley (5 goals, 2 assists) returns in the midfield and bolsters a West High attack that average 4.4 goals per game last season. season. 

Keep any eye on: Senior goalkeeper Zach Frisbie returns after earning the full-time keeper duties earlier last season. Frisbie allowed six goals and collected 37 saves last season.

Circle the date: May 6 at Cedar Rapids Washington.

Outlook: West High returned to the state tournament last season after a rare absence in 2015 but exited early with a quarterfinal loss to Mississippi Valley Conference rival Cedar Rapids Washington. With two of its top three goal scorers returning, West High figures to be in the mix for a longer state tournament stay this season.

Center back Conor Zielinski and outside back Adam Rose return to bolster a Trojan back line that allowed six goals over the final 11 games last season.

Clear Creek Amana

Coach: Tim Benson (6th season)

Assistant coaches: Jake Sedlacek

Last season’s finish: 13-5, 6-1 WAMAC.

Returning Starters: Wyatt Sedlacek, Sr., MF; Trey Godbolt, Sr., D; Ian McDonald, Sr., GK; Tyreke Williams, Sr., D; Oscar Espinoza, Sr., MF; Nick Ritchie, Sr., D; Seth Mass, Sr., D; Erick Martinez, Sr., MF.

Other returning letterwinners: Tony Zapata, Sr., D; Sam Evans, Sr., MF; Jackson Pettinger, Sr., F; Chris Malfese, Jr., F.

Newcomers to watch: Pau Alberich, Sr., MF; Mitch Evans, Soph., F.

Headliner: Senior Trey Godbolt was a first-team all-state selection as a defender last season and tied for second on the team with four goals.

Keep any eye on: Senior midfielder Wyatt Sedlacek was an honorable mention all-state pick last season after leading the Clippers in goals (9) and assists (9).

Circle the date: April 3 at Dyersville Beckman

Outlook: The Clippers have the talent to make a run at a return to the state tournament with eight starters back from last year’s team that finished 13-5. Sedlacek and Godbolt lead the way but plenty more talent returns including senior keeper Ian McDonald, senior Tyreke Williams (4 goals) and senior Oscar Espinoza (3 goals).

Solon

Coach: Jeremy McMurrin (13th season)

Assistant coaches: Kyle Paulson, Sami Schuerer, Amanda Paulson.

Last season’s finish: 11-8

Returning starters: Nick Radcliff, Jr., MF; Isaac Vang, Jr., D; Luke Yetley, Soph., MF; Ben Carr, Sr., F.

Other returning letterwinners: Jorel Justus, Soph., F; Luke McInnis, Soph., MF; Nate Tucker, Jr., D; Cole Paisley, Sr., D; Drew Bruck, Soph., D; Logan Yakish, Jr., D; Eric Weetman, Jr., GK; Jake Roskopf, Soph., MF; Ben McAtee, Soph., F; Anthony Bullard, Sr., MF.

Headliner: Senior forward Ben Carr is returns after tying for the team lead with 12 goals last season.

Keep any eye on: Speedy sophomore Jorel Justus should provide a nice compliment to Carr up top for Solon.

Circle the date: April 29 vs. Regina  

Outlook: The Spartans must replace three of their top four scorers from last year’s team that won 11 matches but has a strong nucleus to build around.

Carr and Justus give Solon a pair of scoring weapons while Isaac Vang, Nick Radcliff and Luke Yetley all return with starting experience.