2010 Eden Prairie League Preview

I have just returned from the pre-season managers' meeting. With two new teams this year, the landscape and the league has changed dramatically. Last year's champions, Resurrection Life were the pick to repeat even though the Warriors manager had this to say during the meetings,
'We had an outstanding 2009,' stated Manager Colby. 'Great group of guys, really had fun. I'm not down-playing our abilities in anyway for 2010, but I want the league to know that we have re-tooled our roster substantially to the tune of 60% turnover. Redeemer Bible will be a great addition as four of our regular, all-league caliber players will be playing for that squad this year.'

Apparently, the other managers weren't buying it as Rez received six first place votes, one second place and two thirds for a total of 76 points. Voting is tallied as follows:
1st place = 9 points
2nd place = 8 points
3rd place = 7 points
etc.
9th pace = 1 point

Here were the final tallies from the league meetings with first place votes in parantheses:

1. Resurrection Life (6): 76
2. Wooddale Classic (3): 73
3. Wooddale Mercy Rules: 58
4. Immanuel: 53
5. Redeemer Bible: 49
6. EPAG: 35
7. Pax Christi: 31
8. St. Andrew Blue: 17
9. St. Andrew Red: 13

Despite not having played in the league in five years, Wooddale Classic finished just behind the Warriors with 73 pre-season points. Classic was a perennial league champion before winning the Church class C state tournament in 2005 and moving up to a different level of play. However, Classic has rejoined the leauge and the opening night game's should be fun, as pre-season #1 and #2 kick off the season facing each other.

Last year's most improved team, Wooddale Mercy Rules, captured 3rd in the pre-season polls while always solid, never spectacular Immanuel finished 4th. Redeemer may be flying a bit under the radar as an unknown but with four returning all-league players on its roster RBC could very well be tough to handle, despite placing 5th in this poll.

Always tricky EPAG came in 6th followed by Warrior killing Pax Christi in 7th. Both of those teams will knock off a top team sometime during the season. The two St. Andrew teams came in at 8th (Blue) and 9th (Red). Red has steadily declined each year while Blue has just suffered from tough competition.

Rez landed two players on the pre-season 1st team all-league in Austin Colby and Jeff Tenney and two on the 2nd team in Eric Johnson and Jeff Johnson. Redeemer also had two pre-season 1st teamers in Jason Merritt and Jamy Antoine with Chris Burr and Andy Briggs making 2nd team.

Wooddale Classic place two more on the 1st as did Wooddale Mercy Rules. Immanuel garnered one spot as did Pax Christi. The 2nd team was filled out with two Classic members, one Mercy Rules, one Immanuel, two EPAG and one Pax player.

The league looks much more well-rounded in 2010 and I expect the standings to finish up looking like this:

1. Resurrection Life: 14-4
2. Wooddale Classic: 13-5
3. Redeemer Bible: 12-6
4. Wooddale Mercy Rules: 11-7
5. Imannuel: 9-9
6. EPAG: 8-10
7. Pax: 7-11
8. St. Andrew Blue: 5-13
9. St. Andrew Red: 2-16