Boys' Soccer Preview: Seniors Aim for Titles

For seniors Kyle Redrow, Kevin Brockway, EJ Prettyman and Putter Angert, the next three months on the pitch will be provide the final touches on what has been an incredibly successful run with the West Deptford High School boys' soccer team.

How well the foursome plays should go a long way in determining how far this senior-laden team will go.

Redrow, Brockway, Prettyman and Angert each enter their third season as starters. As freshman the group helped the freshman team go 17-0. One year later they played a role in the varsity team winning both the Colonial Conference and South Jersey Group II championship.

Last year, the winning continued, but not quite at the same level as the Eagles settled for second place in the conference and were eliminated in the Group II quarterfinals.

With his core players in their final season, West Deptford head coach Ryan Dougherty expects the team to lay it all on the line when the season opens Thursday.

“With the experience they had two years ago winning the conference and Group II and then the disappointment last year, I think they are coming in with a sense of urgency and a chip on shoulders,” Dougherty said. “They know this is their last go as seniors.”

All told, there are 12 seniors on the team. Redrow and Brockway enter with the best resumes as Redrow is coming of a 17-goal season and Brockway a 12 shutout campaign. Angert returns as the teams premier defender, while Prettyman makes the switch from sweeper to midfield.

While Dougherty loves his teams experience, he is concerned with team depth. Like so many other Group II programs, the team can not sustain a run of injuries and compete at the same level. Last year, the Eagles sustained a rash of injuries in the second half of the season that may have played a part in its early exit from the state tournament. The team had some injury issues during the preseason, but looks fit at the right time.

“We are finally healthy,” Dougherty said. “Our depth is still a concern though. I know guys coming back can be relied on, but we will also ask some of our first-year varsity players to step in and perform in starting roles. We are going to need them to play well.”

2011 Boys' Soccer Team

Coach: Ryan Dougherty

Last year: 14-6-1

Returning letter winners: Putter Angert (sr./def); Kevin Brockway (sr./goalie); Fred Enzman (sr./def); Brandon Flacco (sr./for); Ryan Henry (sr./mid); Tim Krott (sr./mid); John Meagher (sr./def); Kyle Perry (sr./mid); Joey Pinto (sr./mid); E.J. Prettyman (sr./mid); Kyle Redrow (sr./for); Evan Fahey (jr./mid); Lewis Hunter (jr./for); Joey Mingrino (jr./for).

Promising newcomers: Dan Devine (jr./def); Guftavo Gomez (jr./back); Jimmy Wicker (jr./ def). Hunter Holmstrom (so./mid); Kevin Keane (so./for).

Teams to beat: Haddonfield/West Deptford

Expectations: With a lineup full of seniors and experienced players this team appears poised to be a serious contender for the Colonial Conference and Group II championships.

Three storylines to follow:

- The emergence of Tim Krott. No one elevated their game towards the end of last season more than Krott. Then a junior, Krott scored in five of West Deptford’s last seven games and earned a spot as a Second-Team All-Conference member. While Redrow once again figures to be the team’s leading goal scorer, don’t be surprised if Krott fills up the net plenty himself.

- A new spot for Pettyman. After being the anchor of the defense last year as a sweeper, Pettyman is being moved up into the midfield this year. Dougherty said he has been impressed with his transition in the preseason and sees Pettyman as being a playmaker.. While he is still going to be relied on to provide defense from the midfield, he also figures to find his name in the box score a little more.

- September 19-27. The Eagles will be tested greatly over those nine days as they compete against Haddonfield, Haddon Heights and Haddon Township, three of the tougher conference opponents on the schedule. West Deptford also faces Collingswood in that span and plays three of the four games on the road. If the Eagles come through that stretch 4-0 or 3-1 they will have put themselves in great position heading into the second half of the year.