By Sean Farrell – Record Sports
1. What will Ramapo do for an encore?
A program known for success reached new heights last year. Ramapo won every game on its schedule for the first time under 31-year coach Evan Baumgarten. The Green Raiders went 22-0 and earned the Group 3 trophy in one of the most dominant performances from a local soccer team. And they even kept the Bergen County title in Franklin Lakes for the third straight year. Don’t expect much of a letdown this fall as Ramapo will start the year nationally-ranked by various outlets. Senior midfielder Sebastian Varela, maybe the top player in North Jersey, has a lot of talent to work with. Offense should not be a problem with the addition of Sungjae Lee (from Bergen Tech) and the return of Keanaan Malke and Andrew Furman.
2. Can anyone beat the Green Raiders in Bergen County?
The answer was a definitive no last year. But challenges from around the county will threaten the Ramapo dynasty. Bergen Catholic, led by star goalie Nick Vafiadis, is a very well-rounded team that can win in a number of ways. Don Bosco expects a big season while Pascack Valley and NV/Old Tappan hope to return to the county’s Final Four. Northern Highlands and Ridgewood could also jump back into the fray this season. Even so, Ramapo is still the Bergen County tournament favorite with eight titles in the last 15 years.
3. Who will win the Passaic County title?
Clifton may be the favorite for its 20th Passaic County championship with seven starters back. But it’s a crowded field going for a trophy that keeps changing hands. Four different schools have won it in the last five years including Wayne Hills last season and Hawthorne Christian the one before. No one has gone back-to-back since Wayne Valley did in 2007.
4. Does Harrison add more championship gold?
The Blue Tide have their own legacy of success with a New Jersey-best 25 state titles. Having eight starters back from a 19-win team gives them an explosive offense capable of scoring 100 goals. Senior F Deydiry Chamba and senior F Raphael Resende could get almost halfway there on their own.
5. What other teams from the NJIC rise to the top?
Close races are all around in the NJIC where seven teams made The Record preseason ranking. Pompton Lakes and Wallington are built to win championships in North 1, Group 1. A three-way race could be on in the Patriot where the rise of Waldwick and Hawthorne Christian won’t make life easy for Emerson. The Cavos along with Hasbrouck Heights are both league champions with new coaches. Dwight-Englewood and Secaucus could be sleeper teams, along with Vincent DiTonto-led Lyndhurst.
