Above – Kurt Sisco and the Rams are playing at a very high level coming into this season
This is our fifth installment of the FHSAA season preview. We kept track of teams and players around the state, spoke to coaches, and watched some fall ball and think we have a pretty good handle on who is who in each district. So here we go!
See Districts 1 & 2, See Districts 3 & 4, See Districts 5 & 6, See Districts 9 & 10, See Districts 11 & 12, See Districts 13 & 14District 7St. Augustine’s William Burgos is defended by Menendez’s Coogan Lethco last season
The Matanzas Pirates enter their third year under head coach Jeff Goren as the team to beat in District 7. On attack, Junior leading scorer Gunner Parson, and juniors Colten Buxman and James Mayer. The Midfield is led by 2 year starter junior Jake Cohill and returning starting sophomore Storm Schalit. The Pirate Defense is anchored by two year starter junior goalie Matt Guttierez. Senior defensemen Rudy Wohlfarth and converted midfielder Christian Wilson are sure to create problems for opposing offenses. The Pirates added Buffalo, New York native, Andrew McIntyre (sophomore) and transfer junior, Paul Pechman, on offense. Coach Goren looks to avenge a 2014 loss to Buchholz in their 2015 season opener in front of the Pirate Nation at home.
St. Augustine is set to begin the season under a new head coach, Mark Ayad. Look for this team to be led by midfielder Griffin Loughlin (senior), defensemen Christian Cousart (senior), and attack Drew Shaw (junior.)
This is an athletic but young team. Look for freshman defenseman Jordan King. He is a newcomer to watch with several colleges already showing interest in his size and ability. Defensive sophomore Daric Starcher is another athletic player who has shown flashes of dominance on the field.
Josh Williams anchors a defense that returns all starters for Seminole
At the F/O X we expect freshman Clay Shaw and senior Alex Burgos to split time. The goalie situation is not settled and we are likely to see both Mitchell Caban and Parker Strausbaugh competing with one another throughout the season.
We think this district will se a great battle between St. Augustine and Matanzas for the top spot. They will start the season just about dead even. Whoever polishes the fundamentals throughout the season will win this one.
Menendez lost their first six games of the season in 2014 on their way to a 1-10 start. They finished at 5-13…. and with a District Championship. We don’t expect that kind of miracle again this year. This should be a rebuilding year with half the team made of freshman and sophomores. The Falcons lost experienced players at key positions including three big players who were key in their championship run. Defensemen Zack Prince (Mount Olive) and Daniel Chambers (Catawba) along with middie Nick Argitis (Saint Leo) who holds every scoring record at Pedro and was four year starter.
Lake Mary’s Chandler Harrison is one of the state’s top goalies
They Should get some good contributions from sophomore attackmen Alex Ruiz and Logan Miller. Junior middie Dylan Smith and returning starter in the goal, junior Zack Strickland should help keep them in close games.
Flagler Palm Coast rounds out this district.
District 8Lake Mary is a team we are picking to make the final 8 and might be the only team who can could prevent Ponte Vedra from making their 6th straight final four appearance. But we also think they are going to have one heck of a fight to make it out of their district. Lake Mary was a very good team last season who went up to PV in the play offs and gave them everything they could handle in a very close 8-6 game. They only graduated four seniors from that roster.
Coker College commit, Van Seiller, will lead Winter Springs as they begin to rebuild a programChandler Harrison (Mount Olive) is a true star in the goal with great athletic ability and instincts. In front of him will play Zac Nash, a serious talent at d-pole. Ben Carbone at LSM rounds out a very solid defense. Carbone and Nash are a pair of speedsters who can really push the ball in transition as well as play shut down defense.
Kurt Sisco is one of Central Florida’s premier middies and can dodge and shoot as well as anyone. Zac Gussman anchors and attack unit that returns all three starters from last season. Garrett Gile is a star in the classroom as well las the field. He has been admitted to Yale and will walk on. Coach Andy Shay at Yale should make a spot on his roster for this kid. We are looking for a big season from Gile.
One big event on the calendar for the Rams is the Florida vs. Georgia Showdown April 3 and 4 at Lake Mary HS. This event features four defending or past Georgia State Champions vs. top some top Florida teams: Baron Collier, Gulf Coast, Plant, Lake Mary, and Timber Creek.
Seminole is a team with the tools that quite possibly could derail Lake Mary’s post-season plans. A line of stand out middies include seniors Alex Proly, Heath Rivers, and sophomore Austin Proly. Alex Proly is a lightning fast slashing middie who can really get to the goal. Junior Bennet Osterink is a 6’3″ 200 pound attacker who has shined this off-season. This kid has a cannon for a shot and anything on cage is going to be tough to stop. We are looking for a break out season from him. Joining him on attack is Payton Rivers. Rivers is only a sophomore but is a player to watch and we think is very capable of an All American career at Seminole. The third attackman is Ryan Ormerod (Wingate) who will complete his career as a four year starter. LSM Josh Williamson (Mercer) anchors a defense that returns all the starters. One of the top defenders on the close defense unit is Gauge Krull. The senior has improved every year and should have a fantastic senior year.
Winter Springs will take the field this year with an all new coaching staff. New Head coach, Doug Jones, takes over a program that once was the top team in this district but hasn’t been at that level since 2009. Look for recent Coker College commit, Van Seiler, to provide a spark for this team along with junior Logan Rape. Both players are out of the Jokers Lacrosse Club and are have the experience the program will need to build on.
Father Lopez rounds out this district as new head coach Andrew Hock takes over a program that has won five games over the last six seasons.
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