To be the best, you have to beat the best.

That is the fate facing five WPIAL high school boys soccer teams in Butler County as they enter the 2011 season, which officially kicks off Friday.

Knoch, Mars and Freeport may have the toughest road in WPIAL Class AA Section 2. That section features defending state champion Hampton, which went 25-1 last season.

“It's a tough section, no doubt,” said second-year Freeport coach Mike Spagnolo. “We had a 7-6-1 record in that section, and to me, that said a lot about our team.”

Mars managed to make its way to the WPIAL Finals last season, but lost to Hampton 4-1. The Planets advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals before their season ended.

Mars coach Chris Knauff said the strength of the section schedule prepares teams for the grueling postseason.

“There should be a big bull's eye on Hampton,” Knauff said. “When you play in this section, you feel like you are prepared for the playoffs. If you can get into the playoffs out of this section, you are battle tested.”

Knoch was the only team to beat Hampton last season.

The Knights will be led by Malcolm Cook this season, who is taking over for Doug Wood. Cook is the longtime coach with the Northern Steel Soccer Club and the former Butler boys soccer coach.

In Class AAA of the WPIAL, Section 2 is just as strong.

Seneca Valley and Butler will have to battle teams like Pine-Richland and North Allegheny.

“We are already hearing about Pine-Richland,” said Seneca Valley coach George Williams. “They are pretty much going to be great. Then you have NA, who is on the rise and getting stronger, North Hills, Shaler, Butler. It's always a strong section.”

Butler coach Troy Mohney saw the section take a toll on his team last season as the Tornado were 2-6 in the league.

“It's a lot different than a lot of these sections where there are only two or three quality teams,” Mohney said. “You don't get days off. It's definitely a challenge.”

Butler•

Coach: Troy Mohney, seventh year

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On the attack: Adam Suter (senior), Jonah Kalafut (senior), Stephen Rodgers (senior)

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On the defensive: Glenn Brennen (senior), Trey Robinson (senior), Dylan Weyand (senior), John Fleming (freshman), Kyle Boyer (junior), Steven Benson (sophomore)

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In the net: Mark Malecky (senior)

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Outlook: The Golden Tornado are loaded with seniors who know what it takes to win in their difficult section.“We have a good group of kids and we've had a very good preseason so far,” Mohney said.

Seneca Valley•

Coach: George Williams, 17th year

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On the attack: Ryan Vilella (junior), Stephen McConahy (senior), Mike Chowansky (senior), Kyle Findlay (senior)

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On the defensive: Tim Pecora (senior), Josh Allman (senior), Andreas Satschel (junior)

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In the net: Brian Pudlo (senior)

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Outlook: The Raiders are coming off a second-place finish in the section and return one of the more dynamic offensive players in the league in Vilella.“On paper, we look to be pretty strong,” Williams said. “Hopefully we'll use our experience to our advantage and go out and prove ourselves again.

Mars•

Coach: Chris Knauff, fifth year

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On the attack: Spencer Posey (junior), Ryan Gralish (senior), Ryan Kissinger (senior)

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On the defensive: Jared Williams (senior), Logan Yoe (junior), Ian McNany (freshman), Noah Hudac (freshman)

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In the net: Garrett Gabriel (senior)

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Outlook: The Planets are not as experienced as in past seasons as they will start two freshmen — something Knauff said he has never done in his first four seasons at the helm. But the talent still remains for the team to finish in the top half of the section once again.“I wouldn't go as far as to say it is a rebuilding year,” Knauff said. “We have a good core of seniors.”

Knoch•

Coach: Malcolm Cook, first year

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On the attack: Klaus Ondrizek (senior), James Conklin (senior)

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On the defensive: Wes Moore (senior), Jordan Hill (senior), Austin Wolford (senior), Joe McDaniel (senior), Ben Andrews (freshman), Alex Slomer (junior)

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In the net: Andy Fritz (junior)

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Outlook: Cook replaces Doug Wood, who led the Knights to the playoffs last season.Knoch, though, faces a challenging schedule in perhaps the toughest section in the WPIAL. It helps, though, that Klaus Ondrizek returns. He scored 19 goals and added six assists last season.

Freeport•

Coach: Mike Spagnolo, second year

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On the attack: David Hidinger (senior), Nick Spangler (senior)

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On the defensive: Mike Bercik (senior), Josh Powell (senior)

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In the net: Craig Simpson (senior)

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Outlook: Simpson takes over in net for the first time and the Yellowjackets will focus on defense in front of him to make the transition easier.“We're going to try to find a formation that helps our team and keeps the ball out of the net,” Spagnolo said. “We want to help (Simpson) as mich as we can.”

Karns City•

Coach: Roy Parker, 12th year

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On the attack: Justin Ryan (senior), Evan McGarvey (junior), Kaden Young (senior)

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On the defensive: Andrew Johnston (junior), Matt Slagle (junior), Austin Murray (junior), Anthony Easley (junior)

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In the net: Tyler Michael (junior), Dave Olszak (freshman)

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Outlook: The Gremlins won the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference last season and are talented once again.“We have plenty of skills,” Parker said. “What we have to have, though, is someone to step up and replace (Ethan McGarvey). When you lose a senior like that, that's hard to replace.”

Slippery Rock•

Coach: Kyle Hopkins, first year

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On the attack: Braden Sloan (senior), Cole McCandless (junior), Aaron Gercken (JR), Michael Stutz (senior), Brock Sloan (senior)

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On the defensive: Quay Barnhart (senior), Evan Mysliwiec (junior)

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In the net: Joe Gioia (senior)

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Outlook: Hopkins in the third coach in three years for the Rockets' program, but while coaches have come and gone, the talent has remained. Hopkins said he is not worried about the lack of stability in the program.“I think from what I've seen, there's some strong leadership from the seniors,” Hopkins said. I don't have a set system. I go with what their strengths and the abilities are. I just want to have a good year, won-loss wise. I want to get my feet wet with these guys and not push my goals on them.”

Grove City•

Coach: Ron Churchhill, second year

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On the attack: Will Potter (junior), Thomas Hummel (senior), Jeremy Ball (senior), Armando Henriquez (senior)

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On the defensive: Alec Goodwin (senior), Brian Murone (senior), Andy Distasi (senior), Luke Biddle (senior), Dylan Motta (junior)

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In the net: Jed Grimm (sophomore), Brandon Fagan (sophomore)

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Outlook: The Eagles rebuilding project is well ahead of schedule after losing 17 seniors two years ago.“This group wasn't expected to do well by most people, except me,” Churchhill said of the 2010 team, which went 8-5-3. “We were an overtime loss to Commodore Perry and a 1-0 loss to Slippery Rock away from the playoffs.”