Overview

New this season is that the Rating Percentage Index (RPI) will be utilized to determine that state tournament brackets.

Also new is the home team will wear dark jerseys and socks, which allows home teams to wear the school-colored jerseys. Visiting teams will wear solid white jerseys and socks.

Arapahoe’s Cameron Gail, the Player of the Year in the Centennial League last season, is back and the Warriors were ranked seventh in the CHSAANow.com Class 5A preseason poll. Defending state champion Broomfield was the preseason top-ranked team and Cherry Creek was placed eighth behind Arapahoe.

Mountain Vista and Rock Canyon gained votes.

Littleton was eighth in the Class 4A preseason rankings while Lutheran and SkyView Academy got votes in the 3A poll.

Top returning players

The following are some of the top returning south metro-area boys soccer players:

Austyn Le Marr, Legend; Neon Sapkota, Rock Canyon; Evan Olson, Chaparral; Grey Lapiano, Chaparral; Thomas Hoy, Douglas County; Noah Johnson, Douglas County; Nick Bernardoni, Legend; Jaden Henry, Castle View; Parker Landry, Castle View; Cole Davis, Chaparral; Blake Mandler, Douglas County; Josh Harnden, Legend; Sean Marek, Legend; David Addei, Ponderosa; Chris Cornn, Ponderosa; Tyler Huesch, Rock Canyon; Brennan Leck, Rock Canyon; Blake Eaton, ThunderRidge; Teddy Gallegos, ThunderRidge; Cameron Gail, Arapahoe; Ian Elliott, Cherry Creek; Caesar Martinez, Cherry Creek; Spencer Cobb, Arapahoe; Ben Davis, Arapahoe; Zach Westerman, Arapahoe; Patrick Rooney, Cherry Creek; Omar Serano, Littleton.

State competition

State playoffs are scheduled to begin Oct. 24 and 25.

State semifinal games for 3A/4A/5A will be Nov. 7. The 3A semifinal games will be held at Englewood High School, the 4A semis at Legacy Stadium and the 5A semifinals at Echo Park Automotive Stadium.

The 5A state title game is set for Nov. 9 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. The 2A/3A/4A titles matches will be played Nov. 10 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.