3. La Salle (15-3-1). A young team with impact players at nearly every position, La Salle is the clear favorite in a strong Catholic League. Darius Madison and Gabriel Robinson return to lead the Explorers.
4. Father Judge (23-2-1). The Crusaders lost a strong group of players from the team that won a share of the PIAA Class AAA title.
5. Christopher Dock (20-3-1). Striker Adam Moyer, fullback Brooke Moyer, and goalkeeper David Brelsford return from a team that went 9-1 in the Bicentennial League and won its fourth PIAA Class A title in 10 years.
6. Lower Merion (16-2). Always a favorite to win the Central League, Lower Merion is poised to make it back to the state tournament after missing out last season.
7. Octorara (19-3-1). Coming off a PIAA Class AA championship, Octorara is replacing most of its attack. But the team still returns a core of experienced players and should be in the mix to repeat in Class AA.
8. Council Rock North (15-2-2). The clutch play of Steve Neumann is gone, but the team returns plenty of starters and should pick up where it left off last season.
9. Archbishop Wood (17-2). Despite not making any noise in the playoffs over the last two years, Wood has had talent. This year is no different. Tom Baker, one of the best strikers in the state, gives the Vikings a potent attack.
10. Downingtown West (17-4-4). With the graduation of All-American goalie Bobby Rosato, the Whippets will have to lean more heavily on forwards Ryan Kalback and Nathan Doyle.
- Chris Melchiorre
