Favorites top Prep School Top 10: Sept. 10

by Sheldon Shealer

September 10, 2014

When Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.) claimed a share of the 2013 NEPSAC Prep A girls soccer title last year with only four seniors on the roster, it sent a clear message as to which team would be favored in 2014.

Berkshire School (Mass.), meanwhile, with six of its starting 11 boys soccer players on the Fall All-America Watch List, also is a clearcut favorite.

Therefore, Choate girls and Berkshire boys top their respective TopDrawerSoccer Prep Top 10 rankings.

The Prep Top 10 is designed for high school programs that do not fit the mold of traditional high schools since they either have or could allow post-grad players, or play in an organization that allows post-grad and other fifth-year student-athletes.

Berkshire is aiming for a three-peat at No. 1 on the boys side. This powerhouse program was the undisputed No. 1 in 2012 and followed that with a shared championship with Hill School (Pa.) last season. South Kent School (Conn.), which starts No. 3, is the only other school to win a Prep Top 10 national title, that coming in the ranking’s inaugural 2011 season.

Choate, meanwhile, will be battling history. No Connecticut program has ever finished No. 1 in the Prep 10. In fact, four Massachusetts teams have claimed the titles over the past three years (last year was a co-championship situation as the teams ranked 1-2 tied in the championship match). Choate finished No. 3 last year.

The Prep Top 10 will be updated each week on Wednesday for the rest of the fall prep school season.

View the entire Prep Top 10: BOYS | GIRLS