I unsuccessfully tried installing just a Top 5 for soccer this season. I’m not saying last year was a down year for soccer, but after the top 5 it was a real struggle putting together a legitimate 6-10 ranking. There’s no doubt St. Francis and La Caada will always compete in boys soccer; they’re the Muir in football, they don’t rebuild, they reload. (Well, maybe not Muir this year, but you get what I’m saying). Then you have Monrovia and Pasadena which had a strong year last year. Rosemead also was in the mix. Nevertheless, I’m asking your input for the top 10 preseason rankings this year. Is it going to be another down year? Is St. Francis star Eric Verso playing this year? Will St. Francis successfully defend its CIF Southern California championship? Who is No. 1? Monrovia? St. Francis? That was the big debate last year. I guess it never ends, whether it’s football this year or soccer — St. Francis vs. Mornovia, the matchup we’d all like to see.

LAST YEAR’S FINAL REGULAR-SEASON RANKINGS

1. Monrovia (17-2-3); 2. Pasadena (10-1-6); 3. St. Francis (12-5-4); 4. Temple City (5-4-4); 5. La Caada (15-6-2); 6. Rosemead (11-4-4); 7. Muir (6-6-2); 8. Alhambra (5-5-1); 9. San Marino (8-9-2); 10. Blair (6-8-2).

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In girls soccer, Alverno is the defending CIF champion in Division VII, and I can already hear all the talk about how Alverno played a weak schedule … yada, yada, yada, yada … The word on the street is La Salle is the top team in the WSGV. If you get a chance you will want to check out La Salle’s Samantha Whitehead. She’s a junior with tremendous speed.

LAST YEAR’S FINAL REGULAR-SEASON RANKINGS

1. Flintridge SH (15-4-3); 2. Arcadia (13-4-2); 3. Alverno (15-1-1); 4. Monrovia (6-5-3); 5. La Caada (11-4-3); 6. Maranatha (13-6-4); 7. Ramona Convent (15-5-1); 8. South Pasadena (10-7-4); 9. La Salle (11-5-4); 10. Westridge (5-4-3).

Below: Can Alverno repeat as CIF champions this season?