The Trojans had everything going for them during the 2015 season. They were 12-3-2 heading into the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference playoffs, with their only losses coming to top league opponents.

Five wins later the Trojans were crowned EPC champions and were playing for the District 11 title. But rival Emmaus ended their season with a 2-0 victory and the district championship.

“I think we had a great year because of our senior leadership,” said head coach Patrick Birns. “Three of our seniors in [all-state defender] Jake Stengel, Byron Derti, and Tyler Madeira were three-year contributors for us and really led our team. It was big because they had a lot of experience and knew what was expected of them. It was huge for us.”

Parkland graduated a total of eight seniors from last year’s team.

This season, Conley Hochstetler, Zayer Imam, Zach Imdorf, Aneesh Kapoor, Peter Kwakye-Ackah, Kishan Modessa, and Mark Stenske return from last year’s team and will make up the Trojans’ senior class. Justin Evans has a torn ACL, and will miss the season, but would have been a major contributor for the Trojans.

Birns hasn’t named any captains yet, but likes the leadership he has seen from his seniors this year.

“[Defender] Mark Stenske has been a three-year starter for us and will be a leader for this team,” noted Birns. “He’s going to be big back for us on defense. [Forward] Conley Hochstetler is another one who has a lot of experience with us; vocal and a big communicator for us. Justin Evans who tore his ACL, has been at every practice and he is going to be a big leader for us this year.”

Juniors Dawson Berger, Bryce Evans, Josh Kiser, Andrew Luchansky, Matt Lytle, Connor Morris, and Jacob Varrato are the other upperclassmen returning from last year.

“I think the big thing is in year’s past we’ve always had a big group of talented individuals,” Birns said. “It was always our job as a coaching staff to turn that group of talented individuals into a team of players. I feel like we’re so far ahead this year, because they’re all doing stuff for each other. It seems to really be more of a team aspect early on this year.”

Parkland opens up the season next Friday evening under the lights against Emmaus at the Trojans’ new turf field. The league will once again be wide open.

“I think there is so much parity across the board in the league,” Birns said. “Everybody seems to be the same talent wise and ability wise. Pocono Mountain West and Freedom are going to have dynamite teams. Then you obviously have Emmaus and Stroudsburg.”