Only a handful of games have been played in the boys' soccer season, and already the old favorites are shining through.
Here's a look at how the classification races should go this season:
CLASS 5A: Brighton, Davis and Alta -- last year's top three teams in the 5A circuit -- find themselves in the spotlight again. In the preseason coaches' poll, Brighton (1-0 in region) was picked to finish first in Region 3 and in the state. But Bengal coach Tom Cushing isn't so quick to believe the polls, saying Region 1 will be the one to watch for.
"There's been 17 soccer seasons so far, and 12 of them have been won out of Region 1," he said. "To say someone from Region 1 won't win wouldn't be smart."
The Bengals lost seven seniors to graduation last year but have a new host of seniors this season that will challenge the Region 1 powerhouses of Davis and Viewmont.
Brighton showcases one of the best defenses in the state behind Park Scrafford and Ryan Baker. Devin Matsumori and Joey Foerster (midfield), Andy Simmons (forward) and Peter Frandsen (goal) head up the rest of the senior squad.
"Defense is our strong point. That's the only thing we've been satisfied with at all," Cushing said. "All we can do is just try and get better and don't look too far ahead."
Alta, which lost to Davis 2-1 in last year's championship game, will contend with Brighton for the top slot in Region 3. The Hawks return defenders Steve Barney and Charlie Anderson and feature last year's starter Nik Chandler at goal.
"We're young but willing," Alta coach Lee Mitchell said. "We have some good young players."
CLASS 4A: Watch for Bountiful to defend its 4A title. The Braves, who went 11-1 last year, are off to a commanding 3-0 start this season despite losing 10 seniors to graduation.
Josh Robbins returns as Bountiful's premier forward. The senior was nominated for the Gatorade Circle of Champions for the state of Utah after recording nine goals and two assists last season and already has a scholarship lined up for Portland State.
The Braves will also bring back Steven Bailey, Colby Larson, K.C. Nordfors and Matt Beynan.
"We have the talent," said Bountiful coach Mike Parker. "But it'll take a while for the team to learn and anticipate."
Bountiful has already been tested with a demanding preseason, facing 5A's Davis and Viewmont. Although they lost both contests, Parker was still satisfied with his team's performance.
"In both cases we played well," he said. "Our team showed very well. We're just getting a few games under out belt to see where we'll match up with other teams in the region."
With a quick and experienced team, East will be Bountiful's toughest competitor in Region 5. Although region play doesn't begin until April 6, the two teams will face each other in preseason play today at East.
Also picked to finish first in the 4A was Provo, which is a virtual shoo-in for a Region 6 title ahead of Timpview. The Bulldogs (3-0) are stacked with 14 seniors, including all-region players Trent Williams and Chris Archibald at defense and Aaron Miller at midfield. Miller has scored three goals in the Bulldogs' first three games.
"One of the good things I like about this team is that we don't have a specific star," Provo coach Cesar Cardoso said. "Everybody plays the same.
"I'm very confident with what we can accomplish this year."
CLASS 3A: Lehi, which has won the 3A title for the past two years, was picked to take state again this year, but it may experience some difficulty. The Pioneers (3-3, 2-2) are in a rebuilding mode after losing all their starting midfielders from last season.
"There's a big hole we're trying to fill there," Lehi coach Michael Corbett said. "But we still have the potential to be there (in the finals)."
So far, the 3A favorites haven't had the best luck. Lehi lost to region rivals Wasatch (in a shootout) and Park City 1-0. In addition, they're still juggling three players in the goalkeeper position who are fighting for the right to be named the usual starter, which doesn't include junior Matt Lisenby, who broke his collar bone during tryouts.
Park City and Wasatch share first with 4-0 records in Region 10.