Five Players to Watch

Nick Jannelli, Springfield: The Cougars have tried for several years to harness the junior’s obvious technical ability and weave it into a framework of team success. This season, with a pair of veteran forwards ahead of him, may be the breakout campaign for Jannelli.

James Cellucci, Radnor: There are a number of forwards in the Central League with goal-scoring experience from last season (Hunter Dyson and George Lambritsios of Marple Newtown, Danny Korinth and Mike Wallace at Springfield, Penncrest’s Sam Brown, to name a few). But between a solid season on the pitch last fall and a strong spring track campaign, Cellucci could be one to make a big impact.

Drew Hanna, Penncrest: There might not be a more dynamic midfielder in the county — short of reigning player of the year Conor Bradley. A box-to-box player, Hanna’s got the aggressiveness to break up attacks while also the vision and finishing ability to find the scoresheet.

Jon Mathis, Bonner-Prendergast: Notably absent in many coaches’ preseason team evaluations is a concrete commitment to one goalie or another. Mathis, a senior, is the first name mentioned by Friars coach Jim Strandberg. A three-year starter with the physical tools for the job, Mathis will be playing behind a back four that returns intact from a season ago.

Connor Gregory, Haverford School: The Fords return three All-Delcos from last season, and it makes sense that Gregory gets the ink here. He was the one doing the finishing last season, and for all of coach Bill Brady’s well-drilled technical soccer, someone still has to put the ball in the back of the net.