Some area high school golf teams graduated most of their top talent last spring.

Don't count the Seneca Valley boys team among them.

The Raiders, who went 10-4 last season and finished sixth at the WPIAL championships, bring back four seniors and an experienced junior in 2007.

"The top four spots are pretty locked up," said veteran coach Steve Mayes. "There may be a few chances for some of the younger kids to crack the top five or six."

Seniors Luke Martin, John Raymus, Dave Roberts and Andrew Tang, along with junior Matt Vogt, give SV a solid core of golfers as it tries to match, if not exceed, what the squad did a year ago.

But Mayes is remaining cautious.

"It's high school kids and it's golf, so you never know what's going to happen.

"But the boys had a pretty good summer and, if they continue to work hard, we have a chance to have a good year."

The Raiders scrimmage Riverside Monday at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course before beginning the regular season by hosting North Hills on Tuesday.

Preview capsules for the local high school boys and girls golf teams follow:

A-C Valley

Coach: Dave Sherman, sixth year

2006 finish: The Falcons finished with a 7-4 record

Home Course: Foxburg Country Club

Top returning players: seniors Nate Silvis and Nick McGuirk and juniors Luke McCall and Jeff Butler

In the mix: freshmen Blaine McGuirk, Logan Wetzel and Allen Eaton

Sherman says: "We've got a strong freshman class and they should fit in pretty well. If we play up to our potential, we can play with anybody. But, it's going to take our young guys coming through for us."Butler (boys)

Coach: Hank Keller, 16th year

2006 finish: The Golden Tornado tied for second in its section and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs

Home Course: Butler Country Club

Top returning players: senior Andrew Shakely, junior Antonio Baroffio and sophomore Steven Feczko

In the mix: juniors Christian Mato, Tyler Rajchel and Jacob Shewalters; sophomore Anthony Lewis and senior Zach Pennington

Keller says: "We've got a young team with just two seniors. But we're hoping to be one of the top two teams in the section and make the playoffs."

Butler (girls)

Coach: Sarah Parker, second year

2006 finish: The Golden Tornado did not win a match in their first season

Home Course: Hiland Golf Course

Top returning players: sophomore Mara Shingleton, senior Jana Skiles and junior Arianna Rock

In the mix: sophomore Tayler Schnur and freshman Brianna Keeland

Parker says: "Just playing competitively against other schools last year, it gave the girls a lot of experience. We're hoping to win five or six matches this season."

FreeportCoach: Dave Panach, 18th year

2006 finish: The Yellowjackets finished above. 500

Home Course: Buffalo Golf Course

Top returning players: juniors Clayton Smith and Kaine Mowatt; senior Dave Soltis; sophomore Zack McQueen; junior Tyler Thompson and sophomore Tyler Pajerski

In the mix: sophomores Blaine Smith, Jake Hilliard and Neal DeCroo

Panach says: "This is going to be a real experience for us this year because we have no starters back from last year's team. But we've got a good group of kids and if they keep their enthusiasm, we've got a bright future."

Grove City

Coach: Pat Forese, eighth year

2006 finish: The Eagles won District 10s Region 2

Home Course: Grove City Country Club

Top returning players: senior Derek Forese (First Team All-Region and All-District), freshman Ryan Prokay and junior Steve Deyarmin.

In the mix: seniors Garrett Molloy, Nick Miller, Jake Dovidio and Shane Gilmore.

Forese says: "Our league should be pretty good again this year. Titusville, Slippery Rock and Lakeview should all be good. But if our kids all perform like they're capable, we should have a shot to win our league again."

Karns City

Coach: Pat Preston, seventh year

2006 finish: 1-9-1

Home Course: St. Jude Golf Club

Top returning players: seniors Saxon Parker, Matt Hillwig, Cory Terwilliger and Patrick Snow

In the mix: juniors Zach Seybert and Kurtis Rodgers and sophomores Tim Johnston and Tyler Walters

Preston says: "We've got a solid group of seniors and we're optimistic that we're going to be much more competitive than last year."

Knoch (boys)Coach: Rob Voltz, sixth year

2006 finish: The Knights finished 11-3 and made it to the WPIAL semifinals

Home Course: Saxon Golf Course

Top returning players: juniors Kory Schorr and Joe Boros and senior Cody Bastin

In the mix: junior Ethan Danner, sophomores R.J. Sepich and Corey Branchen and freshman Jared Hennig

Voltz says: "We lost our top four players from last year and we play in a very tough section. Our goal is to finish above. 500."

Mars (boys)

Coach: Tim Tyler, sixth year

2006 finish: 9-3

Home Course: Rittswood Golf Course

Top returning players: senior Ian Finney and junior Steve Tracy

In the mix: senior Jon Brown; sophomores Derek Hillegas, Jordan Mullins and James Fox and freshman Bill Bender

Tyler says: "We should be able to shoot around 210 (per match). We're hoping to be really competitive in the section and finish above. 500 again."

Mars (girls)Coach: Bill Pettigrew, fourth year

2006 finish: The Planets went undefeated and won the WPIAL championship

Home Course: Rittswood Golf Course

Top returning players: senior Brittany Jones and juniors Corrine Dye and Terri Deter

In the mix: senior Sarah Hudac and junior Resa Nelson

Pettigrew says: "We have to realize that last year was last year and it's in the past. We have to look to the present and future and we're hoping to have some fun this year."

Moniteau

Coaches: Domenica Zingone and Machelle Spence-Scott, third year

2006 finish: 5-6

Home Course: Shamrock Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors Erik Fort and Paul Thompson and sophomores Ethan Fowler, Jeremy Ritts, Michael Saper and Michael Colosimo

In the mix: juniors Andy Walls and Brandon Simmons; sophomore Chris Cokain and freshman Mitchell Hunter

Zingone says: "I think we can improve on last year's record. These boys have a lot of potential."

Seneca Valley (boys)Coach: Steve Mayes, 19th year

2006 finish: The Raiders made the WPIAL playoffs after tying for second in their section and placed sixth at the WPIAL championship

Home Course: Cranberry Highlands Golf Course

Top returning players: seniors and returning lettermen Luke Martin, John Raymus, Dave Roberts and Andrew Tang and junior and returning letterman Matt Vogt

In the mix: senior Drew Verba and sophomore Connor McCaffrey

Mayes says: "It's high school kids and it's golf, so you never know what's going to happen. But the boys had a pretty good summer and if they continue to work hard, we have a chance to have a good year."

Seneca Valley (girls)Coach: Lynn Wagner, eighth year

2006 finish: The Raiders missed the WPIAL playoffs

Home Course: Connoquenessing Country Club

Top returning players: senior Shannon O'Halloran

In the mix: juniors Britney Courtney, Kristen Drevna and Kelly Clarke and sophomore Brooke Arrington

Wagner says: "We have a few other freshmen and sophomores who are serious about golf and are really competitive. They will also be in the mix this season."

Slippery RockCoach: Merle Whitmer, 23rd year

2006 finish: The Rockets finished fifth out of eight teams in District 10s Region 2

Home Course: Oakview Golf Club

Top returning players: senior Nick Cress (3-year letter winner), juniors Jeff Tracy (two letters), Tim Chavez (two letters), senior Jesse Badgett (two letters), juniors Shawn Beatty (one letter) and Jenna Rinker (one letter)

In the mix: senior Joe Hemphill, junior Corey Jones and freshman Brian Giesler

Whitmer says: "Entering the season, the three teams ahead of us are Grove City, Titusville and Lakeview. Our goal is to break into the top half of the Region this season, somewhere in the top four."

UnionCoach: Denny Stewart, first year

2006 finish: Not available

Home Course: Clarion Oaks Golf Course

Top returning players: juniors and 2006 District 9 championship qualifiers Travis Anthony, Ed Stewart and Neil Scott; seniors Clay Burns, John Heeter and Spencer Varner and sophomore Scott Booth

Stewart says: "Our expectations are to enjoy the game and go out and do our best. We'll see what happens."