The new year finally kicks off tomorrow night when newcomer Benton hosts Captain Shreve in the inaugural game of the 2023 campaign.
Before the year begins, we wanted to give everyone a primer on some narratives going into the season. Below are some quick thoughts on each Division 1 program and where they rank heading into the 2023 campaign. This list is composed by James Dicken, League Commissioner. The official league Power Rankings will be composed after the first month of games.
Please think of these like all offseason rankings in other sports. Great educated guesses about potential futures, but ultimately has no merit. That is, they say, why we play the games.
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Catholic High- The Bears are stacked at nearly every position. 5 preseason All State selections and built to repeat as Champs. Anything but a Final Four appearance will be shocking.
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Jesuit- They might be the best bet to upset the Catholic long term. They have a veteran defense and some great young goal scorers. Jack Sutherlin showed to be “that dude” last year when it mattered most.
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St. Thomas More- 1 goal away last year from a Championship game appearance. Arguably the best offense in the League. Biggest question mark- how do they replace Matthew Broussard, last year's All American, in the cage?
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C.E. Byrd- Never flashy, but always poised. Might be the best coached team in state and have an identity and intensity few can match. The team first success model is a tough one to beat.
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Isidore Newman- Should have a dominant midfield with Kukuy and Friend, and Murphy is the best assist man in the game. But replacing 17 seniors is always tough. Lots of early tests to see how a new crop of leaders emerge.
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St. Paul’s- Slotting the Wolves was hard. New Coach Falkenstein will surely utilize the talents Flood and Vining. St. Paul’s has a tough schedule, and we should learn about them early.
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Captain Shreve- If they rise to their potential, the could make Final Four or a Championship game; they are loaded everywhere. The trick will be finding success against teams ranked above them, something they could not do last season.
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Brother Martin- Always well coached by Greg Anderson, they have a path to postseason if they win some neutral site contests. Look for Senior Attack Stassi to be a difference maker this year.
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Loyola College Prep- Just a few years removed from dominance up North, and always incredibly well coached, they’ll need Garrett Hawes to be a leader defensively and their young but talented midfield to grow in a hurry.
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Caddo Magnet- New Head Coach Nic Sorensen inherits a squad of talented but unpolished Attack. If Crimson Howell and Keaton Bates get rolling, they could spring a few upsets this year and find their way to Super 8 Weekend.
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Renegades- Coach Michael Pabst has seen his young squad split due to the emergence of the Benton Tigers, a noble but frustrating endeavor no doubt. Even still, Ethan Hewett remains for his Senior campaign. League leader in points per game last season, he might be able to lead this young group into the postseason with a few key victories.
- Benton- The Tigers come into the season as an upstart. Stemming out of the Bossier Parish program builder Renegades, they have support from the Intermediate School administration and a dedicated group of parents and players.. Head Coach Jason O’Leary is at the helm, and while it might not be this season, they are a program to watch long term.