It's the million-dollar question at this time of year, with the boys soccer season just over a week away.

"Who's good?"

As always, it is pure speculation right now. Sure, some teams graduated their best players last spring, while others bring back their stars.

But the fall of 2008 proved how insignificant familiarity can be. Magruder was the only team in Montgomery County to win a regional title, despite losing many known commodities from its previous, Class 4A state title-winning season: All-Gazette first-teamers Mike Lansing, Alex and Justin Lee (University of Maryland, Penn State) and George Mason striker Draymond Washington.

Conversely, Bethesda-Chevy Chase brought back several studs from its 2008 3A state championship squad, yet fell to Frederick County's Tuscarora in the West Region finals. As Sherwood head coach Hector Morales says: "No one is guaranteed anything."

To his peers, the answer is just as subjective.

"I think in terms of returning varsity players, you've got to look at Whitman as the first name that comes to mind," said Wootton coach Doug Schuessler.

As well as…

"Churchill's always going to be good," said Colonels coach Steve Pfeil. "We're going to be the underdog in the Sherwood game. I'll tell you what; Northwest could be excellent."

The most reasonable assessment came from Vikings helmsman Dave Greene: "There will be seven, eight, nine teams about the same."

With reclassification, the number might run a little deeper. Clarksburg, which won 11 games and reached the 2A West Region finals, may in fact be a favorite in 3A. The Coyotes lost All-Gazette first-teamers Dillon Muise (17 assists) and Peabo Doue (school-record 17 goals), but return one of the most highly regarded players in the country, Julio Arjona.

The senior midfielder returns from the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., where he has been since January of 2008. Arjona will team with multi-year starters such as Henry Reyes, Joel Houapeu and Nelson Escobar for a potentially dominant outfit.

Rival Northwood looked superb in preseason and might be just as good, if not better. Exciting juniors Dallas Aminzadeh and Julian Saldana and versatile senior Bush Yormie led the Gladiators to nine wins last season, while most of their other starters also return.

Poolesville — which moves from Class 1A to 2A — finished last season with a winning record against predominantly 4A and 3A schools, and three-year starters Ryan Campbell, Alex Pfister and Logan Wilson should make the Falcons a factor in the county's two suddenly loaded 3A/2A Divisions.

Even if they don't want to advertise it.

"Our boys enjoy being the underdogs," said Poolesville coach Christos Nicholas. "Our school is like the Greek mythology story about Jason and the Argonauts battling the giants in search of the Golden Fleece: The state championship."

The depth of the field makes it impossible to pick a favorite in 4A. B-CC only adds more competition with its move from 3A, and has plenty of playmakers with big defender Nick Van Hollen and striker Ben Fernandez.

Both representatives in last year's 4A West Region title game, Churchill and Magruder, saw their talent gutted; Churchill lost All-Gazette first teamer Jamie LaFleur and Player of the Year Kevin Dansky (county-high 26 goals) while Magruder returns just one starter, junior sweeper Brandon Weiner.

But the Bulldogs still have plenty of physical weapons, such as Brendan Warshauer, Cameron Kidwell and striker Dylan Regan. The Colonels get the addition of one of the most impressive goalkeepers around. Junior Torsten Meuschke not only plays for the talented U-17 Potomac Cougars club team, but did not allow a single goal in 12 games as Magruder's junior varsity starter a year ago.

Want defense? Sherwood brings back its entire back line from a year ago: Henry Bain, Mauricio Navarette, All-Gazette first-teamer Tomi Adewole and goalkeeper Drew Hock, as well as striker James Mbony and creative midfielder Tyler Rudy.

Expect Northwest to be vastly improved, too, with big defender Kyle Dipeppi, 2008 scoring leader Hernan Angulo, and just as importantly, a healthy Kevin Andino. A four-year starter, he has rarely played at 100 percent since his freshman year.

Always-dangerous Whitman should outperform its four-win total in 2008, as it brings back elite defender Dominick Yin, his U-16 D.C. Academy teammate Sebastian Cahe and fleet-footed striker Scott Gerfen.

Some five miles away, Wootton looks to improve on its five-win campaign with three-year starters Stephen Ho and Jason Greenberg. The Patriots did get a couple of bad breaks in the preseason, however; sophomore Max Goldsheim, a potential star up top, tore his anterior cruciate ligament earlier this month, while Schuessler said striker Halici Efe will spend the season with a youth soccer program in Germany.

Preseason rankings by Dan Greenberg

1. Georgetown Prep

2. Good Counsel

3. Clarksburg

4. Northwood

5. Sherwood