2011 state champion: Bishop Kelly

2011 District Three champion: Bishop Kelly

Teams to watch:

• Bishop Kelly has won back-to-back state championships and remains the favorite with 14 returning lettermen.

• After finishing fifth in its first year back in the 4A SIC last season, Caldwell hopes to build on its success with the return of eight starters.

• Kuna returns six starters from last year’s district runner-up team, and coach Tammy Pancheri said a talented group of newcomers has stepped up to fill the gaps.

• Middleton was one victory away from advancing to state last season and now has 11 seniors on its roster.

• Skyview missed out on a state berth for the first time in six seasons last year, but that shouldn’t become a trend with 13 returning lettermen.

Players to watch: Bishop Kelly senior midfielder Ylena Gazdik (3 goals, 2 assists), junior midfielder Lizzie Thometz (7 goals, 5 assists) and senior defender Rachel Earll; Caldwell sophomore midfielder McKenzie Mangun, senior midfielder Jessie Mangun (7 goals, 4 assists), senior defender Emily Neufeld (5 goals, 4 assists) and junior defender/midfielder Sami Bicandi; Emmett junior sweeper Alex Solis, senior goalkeeper Lynnsey Yates (150 saves) and junior midfielder Nohemy Sanchez; Kuna junior forward Jodi Lewis, junior forward Gabby Callis (12 goals) and senior midfielder Hailey Faulk; Middleton junior goalkeeper/forward Maddie Brown (47 saves, 8 goals), sophomore forward Terrika Nelson (19 goals), senior midfielder Addison Johnson (4 goals, 5 assists) and senior defender Jill Weber; Mountain Home sophomore forward Missy Jessup, junior defender Yecenia Ramirez and freshman midfielder Christa Lewis; Skyview senior foward Lindsey Washburn, senior midfielder Brittney Washburn and junior midfielder Jessica Boyer.

Games to watch: Skyview at Middleton, 6:30 p.m., Sept. 25; Skyview at Bishop Kelly, 6 p.m., Oct. 2; Middleton at Bishop Kelly, 6:30 p.m.