2005 Season: 17-8 (9-3 NEMC)

Head Coach: Ken Cook, 11th season

Returning players: Wayne Enzenberger, sr. (M); Sean Freel, sr. (M); Tyler Vadnais, sr. (D); Scott Wesley, sr. (M); Philip Barnes, jr. (F/GK); Jeff Brettrager, jr. (D); Cody Kadrich, jr. (F); Noah Locke, jr. (F); Casey Simmons, jr. (D); Chris Thoryk, jr. (M); Brian Warner, jr. (D); Ian Morton, so. (F): Alex Revord, so. (GK).

Outlook: The addition of a Junior Varsity team to the Tawas Area soccer program will change the dynamics of the team, particularly in the long run. Younger players will get playing time instead of languishing on the bench, and the varsity team will be populated with experienced, mature players that will likely be more prepared for a lengthy playoff run.

That is certainly the hope of Tawas varsity coach Ken Cook, who has a smaller varsity squad than a year ago, but a team that has only one newcomer in junior Gus Freel.

The Braves will be hoping to reclaim the top spot in the NEMC after John Glenn took its first title a year ago with an unbeaten run through the league.

"We have conditioned and trained hard in the preseason," Cook says. "The players are ready and anxious to get the season started."

It didn't go unnoticed that Glenn, the new power team in the league, has a JV team.

"Our new JV team will be a great feeder for us and should pay dividends for years to come," Cook says.

While its true this year's squad is made up almost entirely of returning players (including nine starters), the Braves did lose some talent from last year's squad, most notably graduated - seniors Tim Warner (goalkeeper) and Alex DiFilippo. Philip Barnes and Alex Revord will take over in goal,

First team all-NEMC forwards Scott Wesley and Sean Freel, as well as second-team forward Cody Kadrich and midfielder Wayne Enzenberger ensure that there will be no lack of passing and scoring threats on the field. Defender Casey Simmons was also a second-team pick, while Chris Thoryk and Jeff Brettrager were honorable mention.

Reclaiming the league title is one of several goals for the Braves. They also have their eyes on another district title (they've won four straight) and their first regional crown. Cook was clear on what he felt would get the team there: "We need to work together as a team," he said, "and not 11 individuals."