Who is the Preseason Player of the Year?

How about Harry Shipp? Top Drawer Soccer has him ranked as the 26th best player in the country and number one in Illinois. He was one of 3 juniors from Illinois that made All-Midwest. He can take over a game like no one else on the list.

Also nice to see that you included a defender in your list

There's a lot of quality players in this class. Janus stands out to me not only with his great scoring, but also with his ability to assist the other scoring threats like Kreutz. It will be fun to watch him this fall.

Harry is on the list.

I've heard a lot about Harry Shipp, however if he is so dominant, why is Lake Forest so average at best on the boys side and his statistics in comparison to other players about the same. I have only seen him play once, and he was probably the best player on the field, but just did not stand out like some other players have on your list.

No doubt he is an amazing talent, but if it is the High School Player of the Year (even pre-season), then it should be based off of what he does during the HS season, not with club or ODP....the IHSSCA and coaches miss that a lot of times when they select their All-State and All-Midwest recipients and instead select based off of reputation.

Personally, I like Alex Perez (but will he be forward or GK this year) and Nick Janus because of how much better he makes LZ (even with loads of talent around him).

My vote is for Nick Janus. After seeing him finish his previous season with 23 goals and the most assists on Lake Zurich, there is no reason for him not to be pre-season player of the year. Also, don't forget about receiving All-State selection as a junior. . . he's going to have an ecstatic fall season with even more to look forward to.

It looks like 5 of the above mentioned players will be playing on the same club team next year.

Sorry NV but its hard to rely on TDS. Many players on TDS are over-rated while others (including for example Janus) are not listed. As respects true "game-changers" many NSC coaches would place HS behind both Nick Janus and Tim Kruetz (LZ). While different type of players Janus and Kruetz both have proven to be true game-changers. Guiterrez, Guzman, and others also are difference makers albeit against somewhat weaker competition.

Janus, Kruetz, and Ciesiulka appear to be top contenders. In addition to those on the list Garza (NC), Wheeler (SV), Pothast (LZ), and Beaver (NT) should also be in the mix.

I've been enjoying high school soccer for a few years now, specifically from the North Suburban and Mid Suburban Conferences. I happened to remember watching both Harry Shipp and Nick Janus in their sophomore years and remembering that both players had excellent games. Saying that, I believe that Janus stood out more at the time. Both players have improved their games a lot since their sophomore year, but I think that Janus might still have the edge going into his senior year, but it is a very tough call.

I've been enjoying high school soccer for a few years now, specifically from the North Suburban and Mid Suburban Conferences. I happened to remember watching both Harry Shipp and Nick Janus in their sophomore years and remembering that both players had excellent games. Saying that, I believe that Janus stood out more at the time. Both players have improved their games a lot since their sophomore year, but I think that Janus might still have the edge going into his senior year, but it is a very tough call.

It's difficult to judge a Pre-Season Player of the Year Candidate by using rating services such as TDS. These services sometimes over-rate, under-rate or even exclude some of the top players (such as Janus). In addition many of these ratings are developed years ago without subsequent revisions to reflect the true ability/progress of the player.

If a Preseason Player of the Year Candidate is indeed a "game changer", many of the NSC coaches may say Janus and Tim Kruetz (LZ) fit that description better than HS. While different types of players both have the ability to score 25+ goals this season against quality competition and be an instant "game changer." Guitterrez, Guzman and others certainly have the ability to change a game albeit sometimes against weaker opponents.

Janus, Kruetz, and Ciesiulka are top contenders and should prove their worth throughout the year. Others such as Wheeler (SV), Garza (NC), Pothast (LZ) and Beaver (NT) will also be in the mix.

I saw several of these players last year. I was very impressed with Bryan C at Nequa in the State Quarters.Always appears very controlled as a player yet can dictate the game in the offensive third, dangerous 1 v 1 but what impressed me the most is that he makes his teammates better. I'm not sure that Billy Mc isn't the 2nd best player on LT's team and thus questionable for this award.The other Magic player, while lower rated Nationally, is a more outstanding HS player. Harry needs more talent around him in order to showcase his real talents.Chris B blended well with his teammates needs to be more dominant to deserve this pre-season. Probably a better candidate for the post season award.

These 3 should be added. Trevor Wheeler St Viatror Tim Kruetz LZ Art Garza Naperville Central

I have to agree with you on your comment about how coaches should base their selections for awards based on HS accomplishments and not club accomplishments. I've been a head coach for 8 years now and I run into the same problem at the meetings when selecting players for all-state and all-sectional. I coach at a big school (Class 3A) but my players are predominantly hispanic and don't and can't afford to pay club fees that are very high. Every year at the meeting, coaches talk about their players accomplishments at club level which drowns out everybody else from the small and middle level schools who have faboulous players also. If this is the way IHHSCA is going to run things, why don't they just give out the all state awards to the boys who play at the big name club teams and save us coaches $$$ and aggrevation. We (coaches) know which kids play at the big elite club teams. I've been in the same sectionals as the Naperville's and Lincolnway's so I've seen it done.

I have to agree with you on your comment about how coaches should base their selections for awards based on HS accomplishments and not club accomplishments. I've been a head coach for 8 years now and I run into the same problem at the meetings when selecting players for all-state and all-sectional. I coach at a big school (Class 3A) but my players are predominantly hispanic and don't and can't afford to pay club fees that are very high. Every year at the meeting, coaches talk about their players accomplishments at club level which drowns out everybody else from the small and middle level schools who have faboulous players also. If this is the way IHHSCA is going to run things, why don't they just give out the all state awards to the boys who play at the big name club teams and save us coaches $$$ and aggrevation. We (coaches) know which kids play at the big elite club teams. I've been in the same sectionals as the Naperville's and Lincolnway's so I've seen it done.

Ciesiulka and Wheeler would be my two favorites. The problem with Eric P is he is not used enough. Ciesiulka and Wheeler bring the best out in their teamates. Guttierrez and Shipp play on Mediocre teams and they seem frustrated at times and their lack of enthusiasm shows.If it is " High School" player of the Year, lets base it on High School performance.