HIGHLAND RAMS

Head coach: Korbie Vaughan, seventh season

2016 result: Won 5A state consolation championship

Key returners: D Sevana Spoklie, sr.; M Kylee Bennett, jr.; M Cassidee Whitehead, sr.

Key losses: Ryann Obray, Kami Wydick.

2017 outlook: Highland hopes to enter the 2016-17 season where it left off, clinching the 5A state consolation title by defeating 5A District 5-6 foe, Madison. It was the first time in team history that Highland won a state trophy. This season, the Rams aim peak before the postseason arrives, so they can be in the hunt for a conference title.

CENTURY DIAMONDBACKS

Head coach: Jamshid Roomiany, 18th season

2016 result: Lost third-place game at 4A state tournament

Key returners: F Courtney Handlen, sr.; M Olivia Holt, jr.

Key losses: Kaya Evans, Victoria Wesen.

2017 outlook: Century’s goal is simple – win every game. The Diamondbacks, who won 15 of 22 games last year, have the talent to do it. Courtney Handlen is one of the most talented Diamondbacks and has been for the last three years. “In practice, she just destroys the girls,” Century coach Jamshid Roomiany said. “She’s on a different level.”

POCATELLO INDIANS

Head coach: Eric Davis, second season

2015 result: Eliminated in district tournament

Key returners: D Kate Jackman, sr.; D Angel Pierce, sr.; MF Nicole Davis, jr.; D Hannah Hall, jr.; D Abby Pearson, jr.

Key losses: Alysa Spillett, Riley Pearson.

2016 outlook: Pocatello coach Eric Davis liked what he saw from his squad in his first season at the helm. While the Indians finished with five wins, he saw them battle and cause challenges to teams like Century, which squeaked by the Indians in a 1-0 win near the end of the season. Davis said, “Although we are going into the season as underdogs, we are planning to show that the Poky ladies soccer team is a force to be reckoned with.”

BLACKFOOT BRONCOS

Head coach: Ramon Sanchez, fourth season

2016 result: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: F Sierra Sanchez, sr.; M Elexus Nochebuena, sr.; M Emily Peterson, sr.

Key losses: Lucina Labra, Mariah Quezada.

Outlook: Blackfoot aims to earn a state tournament bid for the first time since 2013. If the Broncos make it, they plan to content. There is one reason that Blackfoot has a chance — Sierra Sanchez, a 2016 ISJ All-Area first-teamer who tallied 21 goals and seven assists as a junior. Sanchez has already received a 90 percent scholarship from Northwest Nazarene University to play soccer.

PRESTON INDIANS

Head coach: Brandon Lyon, sixth season

2016 result: Went two-and-out at 4A state tournament

Key returners: D Hayley Porter, sr.; M Alyssa Wood, jr.; F Stetson Pendleton, sr.

Key losses: Morgan Hall, Chloe Hendrickson, Paige Moser.

Outlook: Preston enters a new era after departures of those who laid the program’s foundation, like Morgan Hall and Chloe Hendrickson. “We’ve got a lot of young talent,” Indians coach Brandon Lyon said. “At least early on, the team has shown it can move the ball around and get production out of everybody.” The Indians roster will feature four freshmen, four sophomores, three juniors and four seniors.

AMERICAN FALLS BEAVERS

Head coach: Mario Torres, fourth season

2016 result: Lost 3A state play-in game

Key returners: M Hallie Romero, soph.; D Jailene Garcia, sr.;

Key losses: Cinthia Castro, Maddie Wagoner.

Outlook: Four-year coach Mario Torres said he has seen his program slowly progress to a point it is now – where a state tournament bid is within grasp with the talent at hand. Last year, the Beavers were one game away, losing a 3A state play-in game 1-0 to Teton. Effort, dedication and confidence are among the things Torres said will help the team finally get over the hump.

MARSH VALLEY EAGLES

Head coach: Rachelle Gilbert, 11th season

2016 result: Lost third-place game at 3A state tournament

Key returners: G Josey Gunter, jr; F Korbie Bowman, soph.; M Sadie Sutton, sr.

Key losses: McKenzie Gunter, Ashlynn Marshall.

Outlook: Marsh Valley will navigate the obstacles created by inexperience with the help of sophomore Korbie Bowman, who showed she could thrive in big moments in the 3A state tournament last year. She scored four of her team’s five goals in the tournament. “She’s driven, she’s talented, she’s intelligent,” Marsh Valley coach Rachelle Gilbert said. “She’s kind of a trifecta.”

SNAKE RIVER PANTHERS

Head coach: Randy Turpin, 15th season

2016 result: Eliminated in district tournament

Key returners: Abby Apolinio, sr.; Carlee Rowe, sr.; Sierra Payne, sr.

Key losses: Taylor Davison; Shayleen Sanders; Yasmine Martinez.

Outlook: Snake River returns seven starters from last season’s two-win team that was eliminated in the district tournament. The Panthers have experience on their 16-player roster, but some are new to the game and must learn from their teammates. Snake River’s competitive district doesn’t make it easy for new players to have a soft landing. “I have a night-and-day team,” head coach Randy Turpin said. “I have kids that have played, but also kids who haven’t kicked a ball. It’s going to take work to get everyone there.”

MALAD DRAGONS

Head coach: Ted Driessen, first season

2016 result: Eliminated in district tournament

Outlook: No information available.