A handful of teams could compete for the Metro League championship while twice that many should vie for honor of top golfer.

“Quite a few teams have a chance to be in the hunt,” said Cheyenne Mountain coach Bill Paulson, whose team was runner-up to league champion Air Academy a year ago. “I’m not sure there’s a clear-cut favorite but Lewis-Palmer will be pretty good.”

Lewis-Palmer coach Ed Ryan returns three seniors — Danny Boylen, Vinh Pham and Alex Heiser — who led the Rangers to fourth place in last year’s 4A state meet.

“We’re really excited,” Ryan said. “We have tremendous depth with four quality kids. Throughout the city there might be better kids but we have four good ones.”

Pine Creek seniors Michael Vogelsong and Ben Krueger were state qualifiers last season and are acknowledged among the area’s best along with Fountain-Fort Carson senior Sam Jorgensen, Wasson junior Chris Winter, Doherty senior Marcus Anderson and Palmer junior Shane Hausner.

Air Academy junior Cameron Harrell was third in the 5A state tourney last year and is joined by talented classmate Tyler Steigerwald.

“Vogelsong and Jorgensen could be the top contenders for No. 1 player,” Kadets coach Wayne Marshall said.

“Cameron could be in there with his tremendous short game. The team that wins will be whoever comes up with third and fourth players.”

TEAM PREVIEWS

CLASS 5A
Air Academy — Juniors Cameron Harrell and Tyler Steigerwald helped the Kadets to sixth in last year’s 5A state tournament. They need help from sophomores Steve Guerra and Kyle Turcheck to repeat as Metro champs.

Coronado — Seniors John Corell and Tyler Hogg were fifth and sixth, respectively, at last season’s regional. They are joined by returning letterman Nick Lang.

Doherty — State qualifier Marcus Anderson is the lone senior on a promising team. Sophomore Austin Nonte and juniors Kyle Voorhees and Aiden Durham seek consistency for the  league contenders.

Fountain-Fort Carson — Senior Sam Jorgensen tied for 10th in the 5A state tournament last year, tied for fourth in Metro and won the Pikes Peak Junior City Championship last summer with a 68 at the Country Club of Colorado. Experienced seniors Greg Camacho, Jake Clapp, Zach Willoughby and Daniel Frazier add depth.

Liberty — Brian Rodriguez and Nathan Lark were among the Lancers’ top four players last year and hope to reach state. Rodriguez lost in a playoff at regional.

Palmer — Coach Jason Kohl expects the Terrors to compete for the Metro title and junior Shane Hausner to be among the league’s top 10. Junior Sam Hesselberg and freshman Colin Prater must play well while Haydn Hanson should help after transferring from Colorado Springs Christian School.

Pine Creek — Senior Ben Krueger was third in the Metro last year while senior Michael Vogelsong was eighth. Both qualified for state and have designs on more success this year. Senior Beau Bajza is a likely No. 3 for the Eagles. Promising freshman Garrett Frye and Josh Vanderbilt, a sophomore transfer from Castle View, are battling for the fourth spot.

Rampart — Senior Kile Hesse leads a quintet of returning lettermen. Sophomore Ben Pace and junior Conor O’Rourke provide quality depth while juniors Brian Foster and Jared Theis will challenge for playing time.
Sand Creek — Veteran coach Loren Lutz welcomes back senior Ross Mortenson as the lone returning letterman. Promising freshman Conner Stone leads a crop of newcomers.

CLASS 4A
Cañon City — No report.

Cheyenne Mountain — Talented sophomore Jack Stimple and improving senior Mike Johnson lead the inexperienced Indians, who hope to improve during the season and challenge for regional honors on their home course.

Discovery Canyon — Juniors Ryan Bell and Kyle Pilipovich lead the second-year program that includes junior Michael Kimberlin and sophomores Kennan Dickard and Kenny Kesting.

Falcon — First-year coach Greg Morris hopes to improve on last year’s sixth-place Metro finish. The Falcons are led by seniors Ryan Frost, Andrew Glauvitz and Lucas Leavitt plus juniors Daniel Pezdirtz and Nate Munoz.

Harrison — Junior Christian Veale is determined to improve on last season as the Panthers’ top player. New coach Josh Franklin will also rely on senior Brandon Robledo, who is in his first year competing but has potential.

Lewis-Palmer — Senior Michael Cole could be the most improved player on a team that expects to win Metro and regional titles and better last year’s fourth-place finish at state. Vinh Pham, Alex Hiser and Danny Boylen all have state tourney experience while seniors Kyle Engelhardt and Ryan Ruebensen hope to crack the lineup.

Mesa Ridge — Freshman J.J. Huerena is the top player for the Grizzlies, who graduated five seniors. Coach Rick Wilson said his other young players have really improved.

Mitchell — Graham McCoy qualified for state as a freshman and looks to improve on that. The Marauders, who host the season-opening tournament Monday at 7:30 a.m. at Patty Jewett Golf Course, also boast experienced lettermen in senior Anthony Mallard, junior Craig Jackson and sophomore Bradley Umpleby.

Palmer Ridge — The Bears qualified for state last season and should improve with six returning letterman. Back with state tournament experience are juniors Josh Woodworth and Max Cologne plus sophomores Drew Tatman and Garrett Cologne. Juniors Ryan Smith and Jeremy Zellers hope to crack the lineup.

Sierra — New coach Thomas Riehl will rely on juniors James Walton and Isaiah Torain as the Stallions continue to expand their program.

Vista Ridge — A pair of transfers from out of state — junior Jordan Elle and sophomore Kaleo Pollard — recorded the lowest scores in the Wolves’ preseason tryouts.

Wasson — Chris Winter tied for 23rd at 4A state last year as a sophomore and has high hopes this season. Sophomore Vince Burke adds talent to a growing program headed by first-year coach Mark Sutherland.

Widefield — Junior Marco Lovato is the top player for new coach Chris Morrell.

Woodland Park — Junior Matt Culligan and sophomore Brock Lofgren lead an inexperienced group.

CLASS 3A
The Classical Academy — Junior Micah Mathis hopes to improve on his top-30 finish at last year’s state tournament when the Titans placed fourth. TCA hopes to find support for Mathis among a group of younger players.

Colorado Springs School — Junior Ian Cullity is the lone returning letterman for the inexperienced Kodiaks.

Florence — Seniors Jacob Cole, Ethan McCarter and Nick Sprague return.

Fountain Valley — The Danes have a pair of returning lettermen in senior Scott Tredennick and sophomore Sean Johnson.

Manitou Springs — An experienced group returns from last year’s state qualifying team. Seniors Tyler Hunt, Colton Chorpenning, Jake Mendoza and David Beaubien will be challenged by sophomore transfers Tom Longfield (Hotchkiss) and Justin Burr (Woodland Park).

St. Mary’s — Junior Andrew Cornella was second at 3A state last year, just one stroke behind the champion. The Pirates took third at state, three shots shy of the winner. Senior Matt Bucher returns as coach Bill Percy searches for quality depth.