SBLive Arkansas Top 25 boys soccer preseason rankings
By George Mitchell
With soccer season underway, SBLive Arkansas releases its very first Top 25 soccer rankings. These are the preseason rankings and will be followed by the weekly Top 25. See the preseason rankings below.
1. Conway
The Class 6A defending state champions return eight starters from last year’s team with a solid junior class.
2. Springdale
Returns several young players who reached the quarterfinals last season. The team has added depth at each position.
3. Bentonville
Expects to contend with Springdale for the 6A-West title. Reached the semifinals in 2022.
4. Northside
Returns all but three players from last season’s state runner-up squad and moves to the 6A West Conference.
5. Russellville
The Class 5A defending state champs must replace last year’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Fernando Castro, but coach Jared Fuller said the team possesses the set pieces, defense, and grit to make another run.
6. Heritage
Fields a younger team, but last year’s success has also brought playing experience. Will make a deep run in the playoffs and eye for a Top 4 spot in 6A West.
7. Har-Ber
Finished fourth last season and lost to Little Rock Catholic in the first round of the playoffs.
8. Fayetteville
Returns six starters but lost four-year starter Harrison Ennis at goalkeeper. Needs to find a go-to goal scorer.
9. Bentonville West
Returns with several starters to make another playoff run. Does have some inexperience in areas that will need to be addressed.
10. Siloam Springs
Contends for a shot at the 5A West title. Has 11 seniors on the team but returns only two starters and five others with playing experience.
11. LR Catholic
Returns five juniors and a senior with three-year experience at the varsity level. A young team with just five seniors on the roster.
12. LR Christian Academy
Sports a new lineup with a young ,but talented, team. Graduated several key starters and needs others to step up and fill those voids.
13. Van Buren
Rebuilding after graduating 13 players. A young squad with nine sophomores on the roster. Will have starters with no varsity experience. Head coach Nathan Almond returns for his 21st season.
14. DeQueen
Early favorite by coaches to contend for the Class 4A state title. Lost 1-0 to eventual champion Farmington in the semifinals.
15. Benton
The team must gel and will struggle early as it gains footing. Returns a couple of college-level signees and three-year goalkeeper, Blake Sterling.
16. Clarksville
Graduated three two-time all-state players. Returns a host of others and adds some freshmen who will make an immediate impact.
17. Hot Springs
Will contend for the 5A-South title, with last year’s young squad gaining additional experience and reaching the quarterfinals.
18. Harding Academy
Moves up to a new classification after winning back-to-back state titles in Class 3A. Lost eight starters (seven seniors) from last year’s squad.
19. Nashville
Will be in the mix along with Clarksville and DeQueen for the top spot in Class 4A. Returns three seniors and a couple of juniors at multiple positions.
20. Green Forest
Struggled last season to remain competitive, but coach Adam Richter has depth this season to build the program in his first year.
21. Lincoln
Returns eight starters to compete for the top of the 3A-North and make another deep run in the state tournament after reaching the semifinals last year. Needs to replace Raf Pena, one of the top scorers in 3A.
22. Farmington
In its second year as a program, it won the Class 4A title with an interim coach.
23. Central Arkansas Christian
Has solid senior leadership in the midfield and speed up front but inexperience on the backline.
24. Arkadelphia
Scored 12 goals in the first round of the playoffs before running into Clarksville. Graduated nine seniors but had solid junior and sophomore classes.
25. Brookland
Will compete for one of the top spots in the 4A North and looks to extend their playoff run. Needs to replace three seniors on the backline but has a mix of experience and youth.
