Field in Class 5A Colorado boys soccer may again run through Front Range League

When asked about his team's striking run through the Class 5A state boys soccer tournament a year ago, Broomfield coach Jim Davidson likes to give credit where its due.

The Eagles entered the tourney as the No. 12 seed, only to outscore their five opponents 13-1 on the way to the state championship – in the team's first year at the 5A level, no less. The final two squads to fall were familiar foes from the Front Range League in Fairview (Boulder) and Boulder.

"I think the prestige of the league is an exciting thing, especially since we just joined the league for the first time last year," Davidson said. "We felt with the depth of the league, if we were just able to qualify for the tournament, it would really prepare us well for the playoffs. That ended up being the case."

Broomfield, Boulder and Fairview all advanced to the 5A semifinals a year ago, and those three teams open 2015 ranked in the top three of the CHSAANow.com preseason poll. It speaks to the talent of the Front Range League, which has captured two of the past three 5A crowns and three of the previous six overall.

"I think as a league we weren't really surprised we were three of the four semifinalists because we know how tough it is," said Boulder coach Hardy Kalisher, whose Panthers won it all in 2012 and advanced to the title game a year ago after winning the league title.

"It's a big league playing each other and big schools with a strong tradition of soccer. Adding Broomfield last year just makes the league even stronger."

The 12-team Front Range is a gauntlet for any squad. Consider that Broomfield endured a stretch late in the league season last fall where the Eagles went 2-3-2.

"It's very challenging," Davidson said. "If you aren't switched on, you aren't going to get a result."

Broomfield returns nine starters this fall, including six seniors. Midfielder Porter Milner led the team in points a year ago – Davidson said the senior is one of the most athletic players he's ever coached.

Another all-state selection back on defense is senior Tyler Duggan, with Tyler Hulst also moving to defense. Senior goalkeeper Michael Genge, who allowed only one postseason goal, returns as well and Davidson said he could argue this year's squad will be even better defensively.

There is obviously a degree of pressure that comes with being the defending state champion, and Broomfield understands opponents will be looking forward to taking on that challenge.

"We're still working through that mentality of what it's going to take. We're not going to quite understand what it's going to take until we really get into it and see the level of competition again," Davidson said. "I think for us, what we're really focusing on in the preseason is not making it too big and not trying to put too much pressure on ourselves."

Boulder graduated 5A Player of the Year Quinn Liebmann, but Kalisher has seven consistent starters back in the fold. Senior Brian Castruita was a first-team all-state pick, and Leroy Alphonse led the team with eight goals – both players were part of the 2012 team that won a state title.

"This year's group has 17 seniors, the oldest team I've had in the 10 years I've been there," Kalisher said. "They understand they have to elevate their game every year and not just take it for granted."

Fairview graduated its three leading scorers from a year ago, but senior Andre Miller (17 points) is back among a handful of others for the Knights.

It won't take long for teams to start the run through the Front Range League. Both Davidson and Kalisher agreed that while every league game is crucial in order to reach the postseason, it's momentum going into the playoffs that matters most.

Boulder has reached the state semifinals in four of the previous five seasons, and the Panthers were not a No. 1 seed in any of those years.

"They definitely understand there are no guarantees that you'll go to the playoffs, especially coming out of our league," Kalisher said of his seniors. "Once you get there you appreciate every game. You want to peak at the right time of the year."

Boys Soccer Overview

Class 5A
Defending Champion: Broomfield
Returning All-State Players: Brian Castruita, Sr., Boulder (1st team); Tyler Duggan, Sr., Broomfield (1st); Porter Milner, Sr., Broomfield (1st); Adan Varela, Sr., Adams City (Commerce City) (2nd).

Class 4A
Defending Champion: Air Academy (US Air Force Academy)
Returning All-State Players: Alejandro Alainz, Sr., Kennedy (Denver) (2nd team); Jeremy Baldes, Jr., The Classical Academy (Colorado Springs) (2nd); Justin Barkow, Sr., Niwot (1st); Jaden Borja, Jr., The Classical Academy (1st); Anders Carlson, Jr., The Classical Academy (1st); Jose Cervantes, Sr., Montrose (2nd); Chris Chasteen, Jr., The Classical Academy (2nd); Sean Derby, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs) (2nd); Titus Grant, Jr., The Classical Academy (1st); Andrew Peck, Sr., The Classical Academy (1st); Jumanne Transou, Sr., Pueblo Centennial (2nd).

Class 3A
Defending Champion: Kent Denver (Englewood)
Returning All-State Players: Josh Elkington, Sr., Manitou Springs (2nd team); Jesus Nava, Sr., Lake County (Leadville) (2nd); Miguel Navarro, Sr., Coal Ridge (New Castle) (2nd).