No. 10 Hawthorne Christian

Last year’s record: 16-3-1

Final ranking: No. 20

Marquee game: vs. Waldwick, Sept. 5

Best assets: Few teams enter the season with a player of such distinguished presence as Rene White, a junior who collected 34 goals and 10 assists last fall. He and senior center-midfielder Stephen Gabriele (8-14) will try to offset the loss of graduated stars Jake Hart (14 goals,12 assists) and Chris Aust (10, 23). Senior Caleb Hart, a goalkeeper the last three years, will switch to sweeper and join another veteran starter, junior stopper Will Woodfin.

Biggest concern: Hawthorne Christian brings back just one defensive starter – Woodfin – and the new faces must come together quickly to replace four-year starters Matt Sanger and Joffrey Rosa.

Depth also will be an issue for coach Tyler Van Dyk’s club, which opens against two-time defending league champion Waldwick.

— Rich Bevensee