Can you say four-peat? And since everyone knows Gettysburg’s soccer-playing Warriors will not claim a fifth straight Mid-Penn Colonial Division title when the 2014 campaign eventually arrives, Scott Hancock’s program would like to bag its fourth in a row before wheeling off to the York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association. Well, guess what? With dandy players such as Brown verbal Trey Thomas and Jon Tarbox pumped and ready to impact games on a nightly basis, this latest group of Warriors just might get it done. Boiling Springs may issue a stern challenge and James Buchanan has made steady improvement the past few seasons, but everyone else appears to be in some sort of transition phase. Stay tuned.
COLONIAL DIVISION PLAYERS TO WATCH
Daulton Hershey — Big Spring, jr, forward/midfielder
Justin Hovey — Greencastle-Antrim, sr, defender
Josh Ly — Boiling Springs, sr, forward
Matt Ly — Boiling Springs, soph, midfielder
Quinton Perry — Waynesboro, sr, forward/midfielder/defender
Nicholas Strait — Shippensburg, sr, forward/midfielder
Jon Tarbox — Gettysburg, sr, forward
Trey Thomas — Gettysburg, sr, midfielder/defender
Ben Troupe — James Buchanan, sr, goalkeeper
Tico Witter — James Buchanan, jr, forward
GETTYSBURG Warriors
Coach: Scott Hancock. 2012 record: 16-3 (12-0 in Colonial Division, lost in District 3-AA quarterfinals). PIAA classification: AA.
Sitters: Winners of the last three Colonial championships since moving in from the Keystone, Hancock’s Warriors will be carrying a 35-game divisional winning streak when they begin pursuing their fourth straight crown. Then, once things wrap up, Gettysburg will pack up again and relocate to the YAIAA in 2014. And while staying clean in league play may be difficult to accomplish for the third year in a row, the presence of Brown verbal Thomas and the electric Tarbox in the Warriors lineup is a terrific place to start. Since Hancock has several experienced pieces to plug in next to his senior duo, it’s not like they’ll operate alone. Talented side.
Returnees: Trey Thomas (sr MF/D, 2 goals, 2 assists in 2012, first-team all-star), Jon Tarbox (sr F, 11g, 12a, first-team all-star), Michael Heeschen (jr GK, Gettysburg pitched 10 shutouts), Collin Holt (sr D, 0g, 0a), Elias Perez-Zatune (sr MF, 1g, 1a), Paul Brown (sr F/MF, 0g, 3a), Bobby Weikert (sr D, 0g, 0a).
BOILING SPRINGS Bubblers
Coach: Matt Brenner. 2012 record: 14-4-1 (9-2-1 in Colonial Division, lost in District 3-AA round of 16). PIAA classification: AA.
Sitters: While a change of scenery from the Capital to the Colonial might have thrown plenty of teams off, Brenner’s resilient Bubblers adjusted rapidly and nicely, churning out a second-place finish and matching the school’s single-season record for victories. Since Boiling Springs also made its first appearance in the District 3-AA playoffs in nine seasons, Brenner’s enthusiastic bunch checked into camp last month with plenty of energy and ready to embark on a similar journey. Could happen, too, if the Bubblers can get a rebuilt defense up to speed quickly and playing effectively. If the Ly brothers can continue to torment opposing keepers, that'll take pressure off the D, too.
Returnees: Josh Ly (sr F, 13g, 5a, second-team all-star), Matt Ly (so MF, 4g, 5a), Sean Cadigan (jr D, 2g, 3a), John Wolf (sr D, 1g, 4a), Justin O’Brien (jr MF, 3g, 3a), Hunter Goodhart (sr GK, Bubblers pitched seven shutouts in 2012), Ross Moore (sr D, 0g, 0a).
JAMES BUCHANAN Rockets
Coach: Mark Troupe. 2012 record: 6-10-2 (3-8-1 in Colonial Division). PIAA classification: AA.
Sitters: Finally able to climb several rungs on the Colonial Division ladder last season — after spending a number of years trying to take that first upward step — Troupe’s Rockets have been steadily gaining confidence and may be ready to move into the league's upper half. With experience residing comfortably at the defensive end of the field in four-year starter Ben Troupe and Leab, the Rockets have proven they can limit opposing sides and compete. If a reconstructed attack with more pieces in place can avoid those pesky droughts that occurred in 2012 — JB dropped six one-goal games, four in OT — an even-higher finish may follow.
Returnees: Ben Troupe (sr GK, 3 shutouts, second-team all-star), Clay Leab (sr D, 0g, 0a), Joe Heintzelman (jr MF, 0g, 0a), Michael McCartney (jr MF, 0g, 0a), Tico Witter (jr F, 3g, 5a), Jake Benedict (jr MF, 0g, 0a), Ryan Consoletti (jr MF, 0g, 0a). Newcomers: Collyn Gingrich (jr D), Tyler Shelly (so D), Christian Recker (fr F).
WAYNESBORO Indians
Coach: Brian Stum. 2012 record: 6-11-1 (2-9-1 in Colonial Division). PIAA classification: AAA.
Sitters: Although it’s been quite some time since the Stum surname appeared on one of Waynesboro’s rosters in some capacity, new skipper Brian Stum just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pilot the same program his father, Bob, founded in 1963 and fronted for 34 seasons after that. A member of the Pennsylvania soccer coaches’ hall of fame, Bob Stum guided the Indians to 283 victories and one District 3 crown (1966) during his lengthy reign. And while Brian Stum doesn’t have his first victory locked away just yet, his work at the local club levels means he mentored most of the ‘Boro personnel at some point. That should make a difficult transition significantly easier.
Returnees: Quinton Perry (sr F/MF/D, 0g, 0a, second-team all-star), Drew Barrett (sr D, 1g, 0a), Mason Benchoff (jr F/MF, 3g, 0a), Conor Short (jr D/MF, 3g, 0a), Jared Weisbrod (jr D/MF, 0g, 2a), Ben Lochstampfor (jr GK, 4 shutouts), Ethan Mohn (jr F/MF/D, 1g, 3a).
SHIPPENSBURG Greyhounds
Coach: Warren Jones. 2012 record: 9-7-2 (4-7-1 in Colonial Division). PIAA classification: AAA.
Sitters: Despite the presence of a sizable senior class some 15 players strong, the Greyhounds have plenty of questions to answer following a late tumble that caused them to slide below .500 in Colonial play. While Jones has concerns about his club’s defensive play, he’s also searching for some consistent pop up front that could ease some of the pressure opponents have been able to apply consistently on the Ship cage. If the ‘Hounds can shore up those areas, they do have enough players on hand who’ve experienced more than a few Colonial scrapes to get things turned around. And as long as Jones is in charge, opponents know the ‘Hounds will work at it.
Returnees: Nicholas Strait (sr F/MF, 8g, 6a, second-team all-star), Patrick McKenna (sr MF, 3g, 5a), Ben Shoemaker (sr D, 2g, 1a), Levi Varner (sr F, 7g, 7a), Jonathan Myers (sr D, 0g, 1a), Cody Holtry (sr D, 0g, 1a), Ryan Boone (jr MF, 1g, 1a), Nathan Holtry (jr MF, 0g, 1a), Derek Lovett (jr F, 2g, 0a), Matthew West (so MF, 1g, 5a), Lance Russell (sr F, 2g, 3a), Colin Harfst (sr GK, Greyhounds pitched 5 shutouts in 2012), Pablo Delis (sr MF, 0g, 1a). Newcomers: Reece Dolbin (sr GK), Nathaniel Cresswell-Clay (sr MF/D), Daniel Garland (jr MF), Elijah Moats (jr D), Jeremy Crouse (so MF), Luke Ashberry (so MF).
GREENCASTLE-ANTRIM Blue Devils
Coach: Scott Gelsinger. 2012 record: 15-7 (8-4 in Colonial Division, lost in District 3-AA third-place game). PIAA classification: AA.
Sitters: Following a dramatic postseason run late last fall that nearly popped the Blue Devils into the state playoffs, Gelsinger found himself in a much-different spot when training camp opened. So different, in fact, G-A is in full rebuilding mode since nine starters and 13 seniors walked during the spring. While Hovey and McFetridge are the most experienced players Gelsinger has on hand, Ehko got some late looks once all-star keeper Josh Spoonhour had to bow out with mono. Rapped hard at the attacking end, the arrivals of Kline and Rohrbaugh from Maryland private schools may help to ease some of Gelsinger’s offensive concerns.
Returnees: Justin Hovey (sr D, 0g, 1a, first-team all-star), Steven McFetridge (sr MF, 5g, 4a), Dylan Coldsmith (sr MF, 2g, 0a), Jesse Beeler (sr D, 2g, 0a), Josh Ehko (jr GK, Blue Devils pitched seven shutouts in 2012). Newcomers: Jacob Kline (jr MF), Ian Rohrbaugh (jr F), Jared Spoonhour (so D), Austyn Smith (so F), Denton Rice (sr MF), Bradan Smith (sr D), Colby Zarger (sr MF), Ryan Yoder (so D).
BIG SPRING Bulldogs
Coach: Scott Anderson. 2012 record: 6-11-1 (2-10 in Colonial Division). PIAA classification: AA.
Sitters: Pestered by an inconsistent attack in 2012 — the Bulldogs pocketed 13 finishes in league play, but six of those goals came in their last two Colonial scrapes — Anderson’s program had its string of consecutive postseason appearances ingloriously halted at six. And while Anderson is hoping his outfit can initiate another series of playoff runs, he knows his club must rebuild its shaken confidence by pinching some early results. If the Bulldogs can gain some traction and get things moving in a positive direction while avoiding the crippling injuries that seem to chase this program, then maybe a number of other things will follow.
Returnees: Daulton Hershey (jr F/MF, 5g, 5a, first-team all-star), Tristan Hoffman (sr D/MF, 0g, 1a), Marcus Marpoe (sr MF/F, 1g, 1a), Alex Sweger (sr MF, 0g, 1a), Greysen Brockbank (jr F/MF, 2g, 5a), Tanner Hefflefinger (sr D, 0g, 0a), Dmytri Kingsborough (sr D, 0g, 1a), Chad Barrick (sr GK, Bulldogs pitched 2 shutouts in 2012), Seth Penner (sr F/MF, 1g, 0a), Sean Scott (sr MF/F, 1g, 0a), Dalton Donica (sr MF/D, 1g, 4a). Newcomers: Nino Todaro (fr F/MF), Zachary Moul (jr D), Elijah Fickes (so D), Jared Gump (fr MF/D), Conner Grubbs (jr MF), Joshua Henry (sr D), Travis Feuchtenberger (jr MF/F), Aaron Sweger (fr MF).
MICHAEL BULLOCK:mbullock@pennlive.com
BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n