1. Mount View: A threat every season in Class C North, the Mustangs will be one of central Maine’s best teams again. Mount View lost only two seniors from a team that went 15-1 and reached the regional semifinals, and with Varsity Maine All-State forward Tanner Oathout (44 goals last season) leading the way, the Mustangs should challenge for a state championship.

2. Waterville: The Purple Panthers lost 11 seniors after enjoying one of their best seasons in recent memory (13-2, reached Class B North semifinals), but they’re still intriguing thanks to a pair of standout foreign-exchange students: central attacking midfielder Mousa Diakité and center back Hector Vásquez. They also return high-scoring forward Hunter Willett.

3. Mt. Blue: If you’re looking for a team that could make a leap this year, it might be the Cougars, who earned wins over Brewer, John Bapst and York in preseason play. In addition to returning eight starters, including veteran midfielder Nate Zeliger, Mt. Blue also brings in two Spanish foreign-exchange students (Carlos Padin, Angel Gilbis) as well as one from Poland (Wiktor Dziekanowski).

4. Monmouth Academy: With nine starters back from a 12-3-1 team that lost the Class D South final on penalty kicks, Monmouth is the favorite to win the regional crown and possibly a Gold Ball. Midfielders Rory Foyt and Jacob Harmon and forward Bryce Fletcher are returning all-MVC first-team selections for the Mustangs, who also have the MVC Coach of the Year in Joe Fletcher.

5. Hall-Dale: Although graduation hit the Class C state champion Bulldogs hard, Hall-Dale boasts excellent numbers again this season, with 35 players on its roster. Five starters return from last year’s 16-2 team, including Davis Madore and title-winning goal-scorer Karter Eldridge at forward, Greyson Cary in the midfield, Reid Parlin on defense and Landon Gilbert in goal.

Also keep an eye on: Messalonskee, Mt. Abram, Richmond.