Soccer season is about to officially begin, and both the Richmond Hill High School boys and girls teams are looking to have another successful season. Last year, both won Region 3-AAA titles and made it to the quarterfinal round at state.

The RHHS boys have gone undefeated in region play the last two years. Boys’ head coach Robbie Flanders is hoping to continue that trend.

"Losing six starters seems like it would hurt the program," Flanders said. "But a lot of guys moved in and we’ve got some really good freshmen from the middle school. I’m a lot more excited than I was this time last year. We have a lot more depth."

Both the boys and girls teams are receiving a good batch of RHMS players this year as the RHMS teams both won region titles last year.

Flanders is expecting big things from the following players:

- Senior Sam Vernon, starting keeper and sometimes forward, former Bryan County Athlete of the Month.

- Senior Jay Sipe, offense and sometime keeper

- Senior Zach Mazur, back sweeper

- Sophomore Justin Carrillo, who made a huge impact his freshman year

- Senior Melvin Neeley, who Flanders said has improved greatly over last season and "is the guy to look out for scoring goals."

Coach Steve Kollman and his Lady Wildcats are aiming to go far in the state playoffs this year, which RHHS would host this year.

"Due to injuries, we have gone from a mature, junior/senior heavy team to having at least five young players who will have to contribute right away if we are to be successful," Kollman said. "The good news is that Kay Greene and Jessica Chipple at the rec department have been developing this group through club play and they are as good as any underclassmen we have had come through.

"We are shooting for the quarterfinals again, and a shot at St. Pius X or Woodward to measure ourselves against two of the best."

Kollman is expecting big things from the following players:

- Lindsey Vasher, leading scorer, former Bryan County Athlete of the Month and Coastal Empire Player of the Year for 2009.

- Elizabeth Campbell, who Kollman said is the fastest, most versatile player on the team.

- Anna Bausum, who has a proven ability to control the defense.

- Whitney Regan, Caitlyn Uhlig, and Julia Marcotte, all positioned to control the midfield.

- Sarah Goolsby, who made an impact last year and will rejoin the team after basketball.

Soccer season begins Friday with a home scrimmage versus Windsor Forest. Next is an away game versus Glynn Academy on Feb. 23. The annual Wildcat Shootout tournament is slated to begin March 1.