2007 Season: 6-11-1 (4-8, 5th place NEMC)

Head Coach: Gary Schneider

Returning players: Ryan Clouse, sr.; Kevin Palmer, sr.; Shane Ruyts, sr.; Skyler Thurston, sr.; A.J. Morse, jr. ;Coty Nolff, jr.; Eric Ostrander, jr.; Jon Roach, jr.; Josh DeOrnellas, so.; Brandon McCausey, so.; John McDonald, so.

Outlook: It will be a season of change for the Oscoda boys soccer team. The Owls face their first season as an independent (they no longer belong to the NEMC), lost nine seniors to graduation, and Gary Schneider, who also coaches the girls soccer team, debuts as the boys coach.

The Owls will rely heavily on team captains Ryan Clouse and A.J. Morse as they meld nine freshmen into the lineup.

"Those guys have been playing together as a team since they were little," Schneider says. "The big thing will be getting the older kids and the younger ones on the same page."

Morse will likely be the team's top scoring threat, especially early on, though Schneider says his junior midfielder has diversified his skills.

"He came back from a camp at (University of Michigan) all excited to play defense," Schneider says. "But we'll be relying on him and Ryan a lot."

Coty Nolff takes over as the primary goalkeeper after seeing limited action there a year ago.

"He's shown a lot," Schneider says. "He's got good instincts and he's very acrobatic. Our other keeper (Jeremy Smith) is young, but he's got some good skills."

Without a league title to shoot for, the Owls will be looking to peak at district tournament time. Schneider says improved ball control will be key.

"We need to pass the ball more," he says. "We can't just take off for the goal. The other team can't do any damage without the ball. Passing and possession will give us our best chance to win."