New format adds twist to FVC

Crystal Lake South’s Alex Anderl attempts to kicks the ball away from midfielder Javas Singh during practice Saturday. (Stephanie Janisch – sjanisch@nwherald.com)

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While the season never ends for many local boys soccer players, the high school installment kicks off this week with plenty of storylines.

Here are two to follow as the season unfolds.

The Fox Valley Conference divisions: who will win either of them?

The race for the FVC Valley and Fox Division titles will be interesting this year because of parity and a change in the scheduling format.

Instead of division teams playing one another twice, each team regardless of division will play every FVC team once. Not having a second crack at a division rival throws the division races into completely new territory.

“We won’t be able to count on one team beating another or getting a win against someone the second time around,” Cary-Grove coach Mark Olson said. “Every conference game on the schedule counts.”

C-G finished second in the FVC Valley last season – Crystal Lake South was first – and the Trojans return nine players who saw significant time on the field last season, including senior midfielder Jon Guay and defenders Erik Gustafson and Ryan Borys.

South will remain difficult to beat with speedy forwards Alex Allmandinger, Charlie Oliver and Alex Tapia back as well as goalkeeper David Walsh and defenders Adam Gatza, Matt Biederwolf, Jacob Stock, Brian Karp and Alex Anderl. Midfielders Trevor Bittenbender and Javas Singh round out the returners.

Jacobs returns veteran varsity midfielder Taylor Pignitaro and defender Matt Ehrhardt as well as forward Ian Treacy and goalkeeper AJ Pfatschabacher while McHenry is young but had promising results from goalkeeper Carlos Wence and midfielder Rey Esquivel.

Prairie Ridge is the reigning FVC Fox Division champ but lost eight key players from last year’s campaign. Coach David O’Leary is concerned about his team’s overall experience level, but pleased with the way they have played together so far.

Meanwhile, Crystal Lake Central came out as one of the toughest teams to beat in the area last season and have its two top scorers – Tyler Fehring and Sam Kruse – back this year. The Tigers lost Tom Breen, a goalkeeper who transferred to Cary-Grove, but Central coach Jay Schwarzrock is optimistic about his roster and O’Leary considers the Tigers a preseason favorite to win the division.

Johnsburg is looking to improve on its 13-7-2 mark last year and should be led in part by senior forward Mike Dombrowski. Woodstock is under the direction of former Marian Central coach Mike Golda, who was 75-30-11 in five seasons with the Hurricanes. Woodstock North should be deeper this year with the addition of a senior class and since Grayslake North was rebuilding last season, coach Adam DeCaluwe expects the Knights to be significantly more competitive this year.

The Big Northern Conference title – can Harvard take at least a piece of it again?

The Hornets have won at least a share of the BNC East Division title the last three seasons and will, of course, be gunning for a fourth behind key returners Rafael Juarez (midfield), David Martinez (forward) and Brian Gonzalez (defense).

Hampshire, though, tied for third behind the Hornets and Burlington Central and return 20-goal scorer Ismael Morales, goalkeeper Marcus Quick and sweeper Jared Butler – all of whom have varsity experience.

Marengo should be vastly improved, and coach Jim McKinnon said the Indians are playing smarter soccer this year and return a handful of players who “work had and are very solid.”

Richmond-Burton coach Sina Vidic said his team entered this season intent on improving from last season’s six-win performance.