Football

Coach: Steve Stinson (fifth season)

Last year’s record: 2-6, missed playoffs

Key players: seniors Ryan Curit (RB/LB), Spencer Bowring (TE/LB), Mike Foley (WR/DB), Jake Leeman (WR/DB), Chris Foster (WR/DB), Jon DiBiase (QB/DB) and Tanner Kierstead (OL/DL); juniors Billy Darling (RB/LB), Cal Skillings (RB/LB), Matt Welch (OL/DL) and Alex Martin (OL/DL).

Season outlook: South Portland’s record from last season is a bit deceiving because the Red Riots were in just about every game. The team returns talent and toughness on both sides of the ball. If it can convert just a few of those close losses into wins this season, it could be looking at a playoff spot, which Stinson said is the goal (that, and beating Portland).

The Riots will be tested right away, as they travel to Windham for their opener. Windham is coming off a breakout year and is a favorite to win Class A West. Stinson is hoping to get contributions from a talented sophomore class. Some of those young players could prove pivotal in determining whether or not this could be South Portland’s breakout season.

Field hockey

Coach: Heather Seavey (fourth season)

Last year’s record: 0-13-1, missed playoffs

Key players: seniors Esther Palmieri (midfield/forward) and Alison Dolbow (midfield/back); juniors Rebecca Roberts (midfield) and Felicia Farnham (forward).

Season outlook: The Red Riots are coming off a couple of tough seasons during which they’ve learned the game and gained experience, but not won any games. Seavey is hopeful that the team can be competitive this year. “We are looking to compete this year in our conference,” Seavey said. “We have been young the past two years, only graduating a handful of seniors over the past two years. The group we have right now (is made up of) experienced seniors and juniors who will use their experience and leadership to turn the program around.”

The team is bolstered by the transfer of Roberts from Cheverus. Seavey expects her to be the team’s “glue” this season. Developing confidence early in the season will be key for a team that isn’t used to winning.

Girls soccer

Coach: Andy Pappas (fourth season)

Last year’s record: 6-8 in the regular season, upset Thornton Academy in a Class A West prelim game before losing to Portland in the quarterfinal

Key players: senior Karleigh Bradbury (midfield); juniors Alexis Bogdanovich (defense) and Amanda Linscott (defense); sophomore Emily Masters (midfield); freshman Jenacee Bradbury (forward).

Season outlook: Karleigh Bradbury is a four-year starter and strong leader. Her little sister, Jenacee, joins the team and brings with her explosive offensive abilities. Masters can score and defend. Bogdanovich and Linscott, both three-year starters, shore up the back line. The team appears to have talent and balance. “I expect us to have a winning record this year and hopefully we have closed the gap between us and the upper echelon of teams in our conference,” Pappas said, referring to Scarborough, Gorham and Portland. “I feel this team has a lot of talent and potential, mixed with good leadership from our upper class. I also like our flexibility, with many players that can play in several positions.”

Playing well consistently will be important for the Riots, who tended to play to the level of their competition last season. “Last year, we had the ability to beat very good teams and to lose to teams we shouldn’t have,” Pappas said.

Boys soccer

Coach: Bryan Hoy (third season)

Last year’s record: 8-6 in the regular season, lost to Greely in Class A West prelims

Key players: seniors Brian Arsenault (striker), Adam Burpee (midfielder), Chad McLeod (sweeper) and Brian Hyson (goalie); sophomores Nemanja Kaurin (midfielder) and Akeeba Davis (midfielder).

Season outlook: The Riots return their leading scorer in Arsenault. The offense should be potent, though the defense has some question marks after being hit hard by graduation. “We lost all of our starting defenders and our goalkeeper last season,” Hoy said. “We’re a little concerned about how long it will take our defense to come together as a solid unit. Offensively, we should have a lot of firepower, but have struggled finishing our scoring opportunities.”

South Portland will try to improve upon last year’s finish. “I have high expectations for my team this year,” Hoy said. “I think we have a chance to finish in the top five in Western Maine Class A. We are looking to improve upon our record last season. As a team, we have set a goal to win at least one playoff game.”

Golf

Coach: Ernie Lamson (27th season)

Last year’s record: 3-7, missed tournament

Key players: seniors Aidan Boyce, Anthony Canarie and Jordan Drown; junior Andrew Richards.

Season outlook: The South Portland golfers have been steadily improving over the past couple seasons. Lamson is confident that they are ready to shine this season. “I would be surprised in we don’t reverse that (3-7) record, maybe do even better,” he said. “They’re looking good.”

Lamson knows there are some tough teams out there. He said he expects Deering, the defending state champs, to be back strong, and also suspects Cheverus will be good. Still, he’s hopeful his guys will be right in the mix. “I’ve got a bunch of good, enthusiastic kids,” Lamson said. “I’m looking forward to the season – though I’m not trying to rush winter.”

Boys cross country

Coach: Andrew Lupien (third season)

Last year’s finish: placed 13th at West A regional meet

Key runners: seniors Jonathan Clement, JC Esquibel, Sam Knutsen, Brian McHugh, Joe Michaud and Miles Blackwell-Orr; juniors Sam Redstone, Tom Redstone and Matt Clement; sophomore Thomas Salamone.

Season outlook: The Riots were young last season, with no seniors in their top 10. Jonathan Clement is the top returnee, having finished 24th at the Class A state meet. He’s looking to return to the state meet and Lupien hopes the team will be joining him this time. “Our primary goal every season is to finish in the top half at regionals and advance to the state meet,” Lupien said. “The team has not qualified in several years, and the athletes on the team are geared up to make it happen this season.”

Girls cross country

Coach: Karen Reardon (seventh season)

Last year’s finish: placed 10th at West A regional meet

Key runners: seniors Tanya Wilkes and Bobielynn Fisher; juniors Annelise Donahue, Maria Letourneau, Maureen Blanchard, Sarah Johnston and Victoria Owens; sophomores Sarah Baird, Shelby Miller, Jessica Eaton and Jamie Fisher.

Season outlook: South Portland has many top runners from last year back, led by Donahue, who placed 26th at the Class A state meet last season and 17th at the meet in 2007. “We want to qualify for the state meet as a team this year,” Reardon said. “We missed it the last two years and we need to get back there.”

Reardon is encouraged by the turnout and quality of her runners. “We need to work together as a pack and push forward to be right in the thick of the races when we are competing in the meets. If we can get right in the middle of things during the regular season, I think we will be able to go to the regional meet with a lot more confidence.”