Sequim Wolves
■ Head coach: Dave Brasher, 19th year.
■ Last year: 9-5-2, fourth place in Olympic League.
■ This year so far: 3-2
■ Returning starters: Lijah Sanford, sr.; Hector Baylon, sr.; Nicolas Baird, sr.; Bailey Collins, sr.; Hayden James, so.; Ron Welches, sr.; Brandon Payne, sr.; Austin Wagner, so.; and Eli Berg, jr.
■ Top newcomers: Adrian Espinosa, jr.; Thomas Winfield, so.; Cameron Chase, so.; Tyler Ebert, so.; Will Bittner, jr.; Jerry Bryan, jr.
■ Player to watch: Lijah Sanford. Two-time All-Peninsula honoree leads a defense that returns all four starters (Sanford, Baylon, Collins, Payne and goalkeeper Wagner).
■ Outlook: Coming off a nice season, the Wolves are skilled and should be strong defensively with a solid returning group.
Brasher said that if Baird and Berg in the central midfield can be physical enough, Sequim may be able to hang with Olympic League powers North Kitsap and Kingston.
“We are excited for the seeding tournament at the season’s end,” Brasher said. “Hopefully we’ll be in it.”
Port Townsend Redskins
■ Head coach: Steve Shively, third year.
■ Last year: 6-10 Olympic League, 6-11 overall.
■ This year so far: 2-3
■ Returning starters: Daniel Charlton, sr.; Brady Arthur, sr.
■ Top newcomers: Shae Weinblatt-Dey, fr.; Gerry Coker, fr.; Jack Kingsley, fr.; Sam Meier, fr.; Payton Manning, fr.
■ Player to watch: Daniel Charlton. Earned All-Peninsula and Olympic League Second Team honors last year after scoring nine goals and assisting on three others.
■ Outlook: After graduating a dozen seniors last year, the Redskins are looking for returning players to step up at numerous positions.
Daniel Charlton and 2013 Olympic League honorable mention midfielder Arthur will lead the Port Townsend along with seniors Max Meier and Carl Delaire.
Seniors Tristan Story, John Reid, Ian Hadden, Jose Carlos Diaz and Forrest Piatt will be counted on to provide defensive leadership.
Port Angeles Roughriders
■ Head coach: Chris Saari, 10th year.
■ Last year: 3-13 overall.
■ This year so far: 3-3
■ Returning starters: Vincent Ioffrida, jr.; Tim Schneider, jr.; Wei-Yan Fu, jr.; Tristan Isett, sr.; Scott Methner, so.; Hayden Kays-Erdman, sr.; Jeff Glatz, so.
■ Top newcomers: Jackson May, fr.; Agustin Muller, jr.; Jesse Salgado, fr.; Harrison Pearce, sr.; Spencer May, sr.
■ Player to watch: Wei-Yan Fu. The central midfielder will be counted on to be a playmaker for the Roughriders.
■ Outlook: Although they return seven starters from 2013, this season will be a continuation of a rebuilding process for the Riders, but the promise of young talent and a solid nucleus of players bodes well for the future of the program.
Jackson May, Salgado and Chilean exchange student Muller already have been goal scorers in the early season.
“Our season goal is to make it to the Olympic League seeding tournament and advance to district playoffs,” Saari said.
“We expect to remain competitive in league and build for the future.”
