BUFFALO TWP — Freeport High School's golf team placed sixth in WPIAL Class AA in 2014.

A quintet of seniors has the Yellowjackets thinking big once again this season.

Brendan Aber, Audrey Clawson, Mickey Frazetta, Nick Helman and Justin Hildebrand give the team a very solid core to build around.

Clawson finished second in the WPIAL and third in the PIAA girls tournament as a junior.

“There's no doubt in my mind she has what it takes to climb those last few spots,” said veteran Freeport coach Joe Sprumont. “She has the talent, it's just a matter of taking the final steps.

“But I wouldn't be surprised at all if any of our top five lead us on any given day. We have a lot of friendly competition within the team and they're making each other better.”

Frazetta was one of Freeport's top golfers as a sophomore in 2013, but missed all but four of the team's matches last season with an injury.

When healthy, he has totaled an average score of 39.7 and Sprumont welcomes his return.

Juniors Mike Chahoy, T.J. Pascucci, Denny Wuyscik and sophomore Morgan Penn all appear ready to grab one of the top spots if needed.

“On our first day of practice (Aug. 17), we had nine scores of 44 or better,” said Sprumont. “We're hoping for a good season.”

Following are preview capsules for the Butler County area high school golf teams.

A-C Valley (Boys)

Coach: Mark Nevel, third year

Home Course: Foxburg Country Club

Last Season: The Falcons placed ninth out of 10 teams in the KSAC.

Top Projected Players: senior Noah Morgan (advanced to regionals in 2014); junior Ethan Nevel.

In the Mix: sophomores Levi Fair and Brent McCall.

Outlook: “We are a pretty young team overall,” said Coach Nevel. “We're still shooting some high scores, but hopefully we'll get those down.”

A-C Valley (Girls)

Coach: Leo Marron, eighth year

Home Course: Foxburg Country Club

Last Season: N/A

Top Projected Players: sophomores Allison Sherman and Ellie Thompson.

In the Mix: sophomores Emma Fox, Caitlin Nordquist and Brooke Irwin; freshmen Cami McNany, Jaden Rottman and Arika McCall.

Outlook: “Allison and Ellie both worked on golf throughout the summer and improved,” said Marron. “I think if we play well, a District 9 title could be in our future.”

Butler (Boys)

Coach: Travis Shingleton, fourth year

Home Course: Butler Country Club

Last Season: The Golden Tornado finished below .500.

Top Projected Players: senior Kaden Rock; junior Nic Leone (reached the WPIAL semifinals and averaged 38.6 in section matches in 2014).

In the Mix: juniors Nick Huff and Brock Hinton.

Outlook: “Nineteen guys came out for the team and we kept them all, so we have a heavy junior varsity squad,” said Shingleton. “With the varsity team, we're hoping the guys can manage their game and get lower scores. Our main objective is to make the WPIAL team playoffs (top two in section).”

Butler (Girls)

Coach: Sarah Zediker, 10th year

Home Course: Hiland Golf Course

Last Season: The Tornado reached the WPIAL team playoffs.

Top Projected Players: juniors Liz Rakers and Caroline Piccola; sophomores Hannah Folk (reached WPIAL Championship in 2014) and Maddie Temple.

In the Mix: freshmen Emilee Altman and Maggie Seczko.

Outlook: “Our toughest matches will be against Central Valley,” Zediker said. “They always have a solid team.”

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic

Coach: Tyler Eckert, first year

Home Course: Butler Country Club

Last Season: This is the first year the school has sponsored a golf team.

Top Projected Players: sophomores Joe Alampi and Adam Druttenzen; freshman Tre Bartony.

In the Mix: sophomores Shea McTighe and Jake Miller.

Outlook: “This will be their first high school golf experience,” Eckert said. “I'm hoping they have fun and get some competitive spirit going.”

Freeport

Coach: Joe Sprumont, sixth year

Home Course: Buffalo Golf Course

Last Season: Freeport went 12-5 overall and finished 11-3 in its section, good for second place. The Yellowjackets placed sixth at the WPIAL Class AA team tournament.

Top Projected Players: seniors Brendan Aber, Audrey Clawson (placed second in WPIAL and third in PIAA girls tournaments), Mickey Frazetta, Nick Helman and Justin Hildebrand.

In the Mix: juniors Mike Chahoy, T.J. Pascucci, Denny Wuyscik; sophomore Morgan Penn.

Outlook: “We have a lot of talent and experience returning this year,” Sprumont said.

Grove City

Coach: Dennis Ranker, third year

Home Course: Grove City Country Club

Last Season: The Eagles placed fourth out of six teams in their region.

Top Projected Players: junior Kyle Shingledecker and sophomore Daniel Lucas.

In the Mix: seniors Ethan Foley, Thomas Somora and Joey Ball; junior Jackson Glenn

Outlook: “I'm hoping the guys develop some confidence and become consistent,” said Ranker. “I want to see them grow in the game.”

Karns City

Coach: Steve Andreassi, third year

Home Course: Foxburg Country Club

Last Season: The Gremlins placed sixth out of 10 teams in the KSAC.

Top Projected Players: sophomores Logan Pistorius, Hunter Gifford, Brayden Wilson and Matt Wolfe.

In the Mix: sophomore Braden McCanna.

Outlook: “We have a very young team with no seniors or juniors,” said Andreassi. “The kids are working hard to establish their swings. The future is going to be a lot brighter.”

Knoch

Coach: Rob Voltz, 12th year

Home Course: Saxon Golf Course

Last Season: The Knights finished 8-10.

Top Projected Players: seniors Christian Evanchec and Ben Thoma; junior Devin Campbell; sophomore Jimmy Ellis.

In the Mix: seniors Aiden Albert and Logan Hickey; sophomore Leelah Ohayon.

Outlook: “Between Central Catholic, Shady Side Academy and Hampton, we haven't beaten those teams in a while,” said Voltz.

Mars (Boys)

Coach: Tim Tyler, 16th year

Home Course: Rittswood Golf Course

Last Season: Mars finished 8-10.

Top Projected Players: seniors Zach Stein and Bailey Trzeciak; sophomore Adam Sweet (reached the WPIAL semifinals in 2014).

In the Mix: A slew of players vying for the five remaining varsity spots.

Outlook: “Hopefully, we can find a fourth and fifth golfer,” Tyler said. “If we do that, we should be competitive.”

Mars (Girls)

Coach: Ralph Jockel, sixth year

Home Course: Rittswood Golf Course

Last Season: The Planets placed second in their section and made the WPIAL team playoffs.

Top Projected Players: senior Bridget Merten (advanced to the WPIAL Championship in 2014); sophomore Natalie Welsh (advanced to the WPIAL Championship in 2014).

In the Mix: senior Elana Bilotto; junior Myah McGinnis.

Outlook: “We're hoping to give Central Valley a run for its money (for the section title),” said Jockel. “Our top five girls can turn in some good scores.”

Moniteau

Coach: Sean Morrow, seventh year

Home Course: Pine Grove Golf Course (The Warriors previously golfed at Shamrock Golf Course).

Last Season: Moniteau placed second in the KSAC.

Top Projected Players: senior Britton Simmons (1st Team All-Conference, qualified for districts in 2014); sophomore Weston Kimmey.

In the Mix: junior Kristina DeMatteis; freshman Hunter Fitzingo.

Outlook: “We should be in the top three in the KSAC,” Morrow said. “Cranberry and Venango Catholic will be the stiffest competition this year.”

Seneca Valley (Boys)

Coach: Steve Mayes, 27th year

Home Course: Cranberry Highlands Golf Course

Last Season: The Raiders were 9-5 in section play and made the WPIAL team playoffs.

Top Projected Players: seniors Tyler Leake, Garrett Schlick (made the WPIAL semifinals in 2014) and Andy Smathers (made the WPIAL semifinals in 2014); junior Scott Hangliter.

In the Mix: sophomore Adam Bushee.

Outlook: “Our top four are returning letter winners,” Mayes said. “I'm looking to them to lead the team and I am pretty confident they will be able to do that.”

Seneca Valley (Girls)

Coach: Kevin Wildrick, first year

Home Course: Connoquenessing Country Club

Last Season: N/A

Top Projected Players: seniors Courtney Wahlstrom, Meghan Dillon and Molly Speicher; sophomore Lauren Mahany.

Outlook: “We are still trying to recruit a few more golfers,” said Wildrick, “but the four we've got have been shooting some good numbers.”

Slippery Rock

Coach: Merle Whitmer, 31st year

Home Course: Oakview Golf Club

Last Season: The Rockets were second out of six teams in their region.

Top Projected Players: seniors Collin Hyatt (1st Team All-Region, qualified for districts in 2014), Sam Isacco (1st Team All-Region, qualified for districts in 2014), Ken Rall (2nd Team All-Region, qualified for districts in 2014), Josh Bowser and Justin Patricca.

In the Mix: senior Cole Udy; junior Kyle Stephenson

Outlook: “Titusville, Corry and Grove City all return many capable players. However, so do we,” Whitmer said. “If we play the way I know we are capable, we should have as good of a chance as anyone to win the region.”

Union (Boys)

Coach: Rob Montgomery, first year

Home Course: Clarion Oaks Golf Club

Last Season: not available.

Top Projected Players: junior Kolby Montgomery.

Outlook: “Kolby's our only golfer this year,” Rob Montgomery said. “We had a few other kids, but they decided not to come out. I can't keep Kolby off the course. He found something he likes and he's running with it.”

Union (Girls)

Coach: Rob Montgomery, first year

Home Course: Clarion Oaks Golf Club

Last Season: N/A

Top Projected Players: freshmen Elizabeth Gruver and Hannah Shick.

Outlook: “We have just two golfers, but they have potential and a desire to get better.”