Coach: Ken Cook, 12th season

2006 Season: 18-6-1 (11-0-1, 1st place NEMC); lost in regional final

Returning starters: Phil Barnes, sr., (G/F); Jeff Brettrager, sr., (D); Cody Kadrich, sr., (F); Noah Locke, sr., (M); Chris Thoryk, sr., (M/F); Brian Warner, sr., (D); Ian Morton, jr., (F); Alex Revord, jr., (D/GK).

Outlook: The Braves matched their deepest-ever state tournament run last year, eventually falling to state runner-up Roscommon in the regional championship contest. With eight starters returning, as well as seven JV call-ups (most of whom saw significant state tournament action), the Braves are poised to defend their league title and try to take their tournament run a step further.

“Although we graduated some very good players ... I expect us to be just as competitive as we have been in prior years,” says Tawas coach Ken Cook.

Senior goalkeeper Phil Barnes came into his own last season, earning an all-state honorable mention. He'll be fronted by returning seniors Jeff Brettrager and Brian Warner to form the heart of a defense that allowed just seven goals in 12 league games last year.

“When (Barnes) isn't in goal, I expect him to be a factor on the field,” Cook says.

Offensively, seniors Chris Thoryk and Cody Kadrich should be impact players. Both were in the thick of the action last year, picking up numerous assists mostly on goals scored by since-departed Scott Wesley and Sean Freel. Those two combined for 28 goals in league play last year, so the Braves will need to have others step up to finish on offense.

“To have a successful season we have to be able to control the game,” Cook says. “Right now we are working on our ball control and passing game. Hopefully that part of our game will come together.

“We also work hard in our pre-season on conditioning. Of course, the players don't like it, but it pays big dividends on the field when teams can't keep up with us in the second half.”

Tawas has always built from its strong youth program; now, in its second year with a JV team, the Braves will reap the benefits of having seven players joining the varsity that saw lots of field time last year. Matt Stonehouse, Aran Freel, Cody Jordan and Dylan Loga mostly played at the JV level last year but made an impact at the varsity level in the Braves' post-season run.

“A big reason for our success over the years has been our community rec program,” Cook says. “Now (with a JV team) we have that as a feeder and it gives us a great bank of experienced players to draw from.”