Public schools
Annapolis Panthers
1998 record: 16-2, state champs
Coach: John German
Top players: David Wooster, Jr., A; Will Phillips, Jr., M; Josh Lesko, Jr., M; Brett McConnaughay, Jr., M; Paul Haberlein, Sr., D; Eric Toney, Sr., D; Cole Gelrod, Jr., D; Jeff Paulson, Sr., G.
Outlook: German and assistant Bob Bohannon have a tough act to follow in Dan Hart, who stepped down after his second Class 3A-4A state title and 18 years coaching in the county. Both German and Bohannon were Hart assistants and hope to carry on the Panthers tradition. Annapolis' tradition of hard-nosed, aggressive play is not expected to change.
Arundel Wildcats
1998 record: 9-6
Coach: Clint Gosnell
Top players: Greg Wojtech, Sr., D; Matt Malloy, Sr., G; Brett Bujac, Sr., M; Henry Hanburger, Sr., M; John Navarro, Sr., A; Jason Tatcomb, Sr., A; Chase Gompers, So., M; Tom Dorsey, Jr., D.
Outlook: Defense with UMBC-bound Wojtech and veteran keeper Malloy will be the Wildcats' strength while the offense meshes with playing time. "Our midfield needs to grow, and our depth should improve after we get more time outside," said Gosnell, starting his 23rd season in Gambrills. "The potential is there for us to be one of the better teams." Wojtech will be joined on defense by juniors Dorsey, John Wheat and Brett Wilmer. Junior Ryan McCauley will be a key midfielder. Sophomore Gompers could be an impact player.
Broadneck Bruins
1998 record: 12-3
Coach: Clay White
Top players: Joey Case, Sr., M; Kelly Nash, Sr., M; Jason Randolph, Sr., A; Zack Greene, Sr., M; Sam Strother, Sr., D; Dan Freeberg, Sr., D; Brendan Poleski, Sr., A; Brad Cunningham, Sr., M; Alex Bruce, Sr., M; Colon Jones, Sr. M.
Outlook: White is blending a senior group with the most freshmen and sophomores (14) he has had on varsity in 13 seasons at the Cape St. Claire school. "I really like our senior class, and with so many younger players, it could be a nice blend," said White, whose team has claimed four state titles in the 1990s (1992-93-96-97). Case (29 goals, 26 assists) and Nash (11 goals, 19 assists) who are headed to Loyola and Navy or UMBC, respectively, and Greene give the Bruins what should one of the area's top midfields. Seniors Cunningham, Bruce, Jones and Brad Blough and freshman Steve Panos make the midfield deep.
Chesapeake Cougars
1998 record: NA
Coach: Jim Beardmore
Top players: Matt Willis, Sr., A; Mike McIntyre, Sr., A; Dustin Abey, Sr., M; Chris Zeruto, Sr, M; Howie Otto, Sr., D; Rob Norris, Jr., D; Mark Arnold, Jr., G.
Outlook: A former goalie at Severn and Maryland, Beardmore is a coach for the first time after eight years in Denver. Beardmore is employing more cuts on offense similar to the offense Maryland runs today, and the Cougars "will have a more aggressive style defense." The coach has been impressed with returning attackmen Willis and McIntyre and middies Zeruto and Abey, who will handle faceoffs. Defensively, the Cougars should be tough with Otto and Norris, and Arnold in the cage.
Glen Burnie Gophers
1998 record: 6-10
Coach: Hank Schorreck
Top players: Nick Wizientek, Sr., D; Greg Formwalt, Sr., D; Ross Dyott, Sr., D; Chad Poist, Sr., M; Ben McFerron, Sr., A; Donnie White, So., M; Mark Hodski, Sr., M; Dan Norfolk, So., A.
Outlook: Beginning his sixth season as the Gophers' coach, Schorreck loves this team's attitude. "It's been a pleasure so far with these kids," said the coach. "We've got a good mixture of returnees and new kids." Co-captains Wizientek and Poist will provide leadership, and with Formwalt and Dyott joining in, the defense should be solid. Attackman David Falls is expected to be the first freshman to start for the Gophers, who don't have a feeder system.
Meade Mustangs
1998 record: 3-11
Coach: Sean Harmon
Top players: Mark Whipple, Sr., A; Chris Whipple, Sr., M; John Borys, So., G; Adam Dutko, Sr., M; Ross Nosal, Sr., M; Mike Esparza, Sr., D.
Outlook: Harmon, Meade's fifth coach in five years, is approaching a negative situation with a positive attitude. After a winless 1997, the Mustangs won three games last year under Bradley Gray, who moved to Broadneck as JV coach. "I'm hoping to stay awhile and build the program back up," said Harmon. The coach is banking on the Whipple brothers to carry the load offensively and Esparza to head up the defense with help from juniors John Thomas and Rob Meyers. Borys came up at the end of last season and started in goal as a freshman. ""We hope to go .500 with a nucleus that has been playing together since they were freshmen," said Harmon.
North County Knights
1998 record: 9-6
Coach: Paul Shea
Top players: Mark Bloomquist, Sr., G; Lou Anuszewski, So., A/M; Justin Bates, Sr., A; Dominic Butera, Sr., D; Marty Dietrich, Sr., M; Dan Sandlin, Jr., M; Paul Gordon, Jr., M.
Outlook: Two-time All-County goalie Bloomquist, Bates and Butera are the only returning starters for the Knights. "We lack experience, but we have the potential to be a pretty good team," said Shea, in his ninth year in Ferndale and 22nd overall in the county with a career record of 212-101 (.677). Bloomquist has 448 saves in two seasons and is ready to be peppered early with Butera the only experienced defender. "This group is second to none in work ethic, started practice in great condition and will do what it takes to improve," said Shea.
Northeast Eagles
1998 record: 2-13
Coach: Steve Gorski
Top players: Brandon Whipps, Sr., A; Brian Koslosky, Sr., A; Joe Rothgeb, Sr., M; Derek Arnold, Jr., M; Jason Blotzer, So., M; Tommy Thomas, Jr., D; James Taylor, Sr., D; Mike Whisman, Sr., G.
Outlook: With nine of the 10 players who started at playoff time last spring returning, Gorski is hoping to make a move this season. "This could be a good year for us with the experience we have," said Gorski. Whipps, Rothgeb, Thomas and Whisman are three-year starters and Koslosky is a Liberty High senior transfer. "Whisman gives us a solid goalie, one of the county's best," says Gorski. "He kept us from getting blown out a few times last year and now, with a more experienced defense, should be even better."
Old Mill Patriots
1998 record: 4-10
Coach: Steve Spence
Top players: Sean Roche, Sr., A; Paul Venturella, Sr., M; Kenny Johns, Sr., M; Billy Fox Sr., M; Greg Brown, Sr., M; Brian Zerrlaut, So., M; Jason Edney, Sr., D; Brad Kok, Jr., D.
Outlook: Spence is eagerly approaching his first coaching job and has his Patriots believing they have a shot at .500. In scrimmages, the Patriots have played well and have shown improvement. "We should have two strong midfields, and we will have one of the best conditioned teams in the county," said Spence, former Severna Park and St. Mary's College midfielder.
Severna Park Falcons
1998 record: 12-3
Coach: Mike Bellotte
Top players: Steve Smith, Sr., G; Dave Wagner, Jr., D; Paul Gillette, Jr., M; Matt Chase, Jr., M; Jerry Cornett, Jr., M; Starky Mueller, Jr., M; Dennis Cantwell, Jr., M; Mike Cosper, Sr., A; Hans Hergenroeder, Sr., A.
Outlook: The Falcons won the county title in Bellotte's first season but lost 7-5 to Broadneck in the Class 3A-4A East quarterfinals to put a damper on an otherwise fine season. Last year's team scored 130 goals, but graduation took 100 of them, along with the Falcons' top three defenders. That has Bellotte concerned. "Nobody has stepped up yet to be the leader on offense, and last year we had a ton of leaders," said Bellotte of his junior-dominated squad. "We have eight juniors I consider to be Division I prospects." Gillette, Chase and Cornett will likely run the first midfield and have depth behind them. Freshman Mike Osborne could see a lot of time on attack with Cosper and Hergenroeder.
Southern Bulldogs
1998 record: 6-8
Coach: Ray Bowen
Top players: Andy Robson, Sr., A; Steve Pumphrey, Sr.,A; Rob Witt, Jr., M; Glenn Dixon, Sr., M; Dustin Wolf, Jr., M; Paul Dixon, Sr., D; Jeff Peaper, Jr., G.
Outlook: A power attack featuring Robson (28-12) and Pumphrey (17-3) is the centerpiece of a team with 15 returnees, eight of them seniors. Witt (14-13), who can also play defense, has moved from attack to middie. Seniors Ben Church and 6-foot-5, 255-pound Steve Price (didn't play last year) join P. Dixon to form a tough defense. "We took our lumps last year, but we matured and are ready to compete for region and state, like in 1997," said Bowen.
South River Seahawks
1998 record: 10-5
Coach: Greg Carroll
Top players: Mike Moraz, Sr., M; Zach Ditmars, Sr., M; Kyle McDonough, Jr., M; Jeff Mullenax, Jr., A; Bob Woody, So., A; John Summers, Jr., D.
Outlook: Starting from scratch is something Carroll is used to in 22 years in Edgewater. Graduation hit the Seahawks hard, as they lost a slew of seniors from last year's team that dropped the Class 1A-2A East region final to Kent-Queen Anne's. Carroll sees only his midfield with Moraz (15 goals, 14 assists), Ditmars and McDonough as a strength.
Private schools
Annapolis Area Christian Eagles
1998 record: 13-3
Coach: Dick Bitzer
Top players: John Rosacker, Sr., M; Alex Bitzer, So. A; Dustin Coombe, So., A; Steven Deterding, Jr., M; Kevin Dennstaedt, Jr., M; Garth Thorpe, So., D; Price Beavers, Sr., D; Aaron Hendricks, Sr., G.
Outlook: Rosacker, second-team All-County last spring, is the leader of a pack of returning Eagles. The Eagles won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association C Conference title last year in their first season. It was their second winning season in the 6-year-old program. "And we expect to pick up where we left off," said Bitzer. "This is the most experienced team we've had in my seven years."
Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers
1998 record: 8-11
Coach: Walt Blahut
Top players: Steve Kelly, Sr., M; Stan Klos, Sr., A; Ryan Donovan, Sr., A; Lonnie Schuller, Sr., D; Derek Platt, Fr., A; Zack Hardy, Jr., D; Mike Duckett, So., M; Bill Harris, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Cavs traveled to North Carolina last week and won two games. "We have a young nucleus, and I thought they played well," said Blahut, who moved from assistant to coach. "Kelly and Klos are our key guys, but the freshman Platt looked pretty good." Platt scored seven goals and had two assists on the excursion. Blahut is excited about his offense and is banking on Schuller and Harris to lead the defense.
St. Mary's Saints
1998 record: 8-9
Coach: Jim Moorhead
Top players: Chris Summers, Sr., A; Joe Thompson, Jr., M; Drew Pfarr, Jr., M; Matt Locascio, Sr., M; David Price, Jr., M; Leo Crane, Jr., M; Kevin Stodd, Jr., D; Matt Passagno, Jr., D; Mack MacAdams, Sr., D; Ryan Hauck, Sr., D.
Outlook: After two straight losing seasons since the banner 17-0 campaign in 1996, the Saints are looking to regain some luster. Despite last year's sub-par record, the Saints were still considered to be Anne Arundel County's top team overall, taking the No. 6 ranking in The Sun's Final Top 15. "The MIAA A Conference we play in is so tough, and this year, there are so many returning players around the league, it could be more powerful than it has been in quite awhile," said Moorhead (209-83, .716), starting his 20th season at the Annapolis Catholic school. All-County attackman Summers, who led the Saints with 30 goals and 15 assists, is among the quality players returning. Summers will be the go-to guy and set the tone for underclass attackmen in junior Justin Mullen and sophomores Matt White and Thomas Mikula. Juniors dominate the midfield and defense. Returning senior goalie Chris Garrity is being challenged by junior Tilman Johnson.
Severn Admirals
1998 record: 6-9
Coach: Jamie McNealey
Top players: Marshall Feldman, Sr., A, Drew Habeck, So., A; Brandon Wright, So., A; Andrew Larkin, Sr., G; Adam Pugh, Sr., D; Ronnie Staines, Jr., D; Will Dammeyer, Sr., Sr., M; Ted Harries, Sr., M; Joe Salich, Sr., D.
Outlook: Returning to his alma mater, 1987 graduate McNealey is excited about the chances of this group competing with the big guns in the MIAA A Conference. Feldman (21 goals, 17 assists) and Habeck (23-8) should provide firepower on the attack while tri-captain Dammeyer, Harries and senior Aaron Lowe give the Admirals a solid midfield. The other captains, Larkin (215 saves) in goal and Pugh, anchor a defense that should be a strength. "This group played young last year and learned a lot," said McNealey of the Admirals, who finished No. 8 in the rankings under Charlie Toomey.
Pub Date: 3/19/99