HS BOYS SOCCERPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

HALDANE – The Blue Devils finished 11-6-1 last year, playing their best soccer when it counted the most – at the end. Haldane went on a terrific run and won the Section One, Class C championship, advancing to the state regionals before losing. Back is midfielder Aidan Draper, who scored 14 goals and had 15 assists last year.

HS BOYS SOCCERPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

SPACKENKILL – Nothing surprises us about Spackenkill anymore. Coach Manny Blanco squeezes every last bit of talent out of his players every year and consistently puts them in position to win. Last year it was a trip to the Section Nine, Class B final where the Spartans lost to Rhinebeck in the rubber match of an awesome season series.

HS BOYS SOCCERPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

RHINEBECK – It will be interesting to see how the Hawks fare this year. Consistently one of the better programs in the area, Rhinebeck might have suffered the biggest losses when it graduated Seth McClenahan and his 32 goals as well as fellow forward Nick Hoynes. It remains to be seen who the Hawks have waiting in the wings – no pun intended – to replace them.

HS BOYS SOCCERPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

WALLKILL – In the Hudson Valley, there is Arlington, John Jay, Spackenkill, Newburgh, Monroe-Woodbury … and quietly, well under the radar, is one of the best high school boys soccer programs in the area. Wallkill went 18-1 last season and returns one of the best strikers around in Sean Cray, who had 25 goals last year for the Panthers.

HS BOYS SOCCERPOWER RANKINGS

PRESEASON EDITION

ARLINGTON – Hey, you don’t dethrone the king until you can beat him, and nobody in the HVSR coverage area has been able to beat Arlington. The Admirals went 19-1-2 last year and won the section again, a year after winning the state title. But let’s see how long Arlington can last here – the Admirals graduated a whopping 18 seniors.