Friday is the first day boys soccer games around the state can be contested, so yet another sign that summer is fast dwindling.
Given that, Kosmo has a few things he's looking out for as the soccer season gets going.

Who will emerge as the dominant player in the area?
Last year, there multiple "superstar" players from the area, whether it was Caleb Stanko of Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Sean Cunningham of Troy, Jarret Kersten of Clarkston or Eric Webberman of NOrth Farmington, just to name a few.
This year, Kosmo hopes similar Dream Team candidates can emerge. Dylan Knott of Rochester Adams for Matt Habrowsky of Birmingham Brother Rice might be the best, but we'll see.

How will Todd Heugh do in his first year at Troy Athens?
Very well. Even though the only coach Athens has ever known, Tim Storch, retired from the district and is now at Alpena, don't expect the Red Hawks to have much of a dropoff with what is the perfect successor. Heugh played at the school (he was a part of the 1989 team that won a state title) and knows the tradition, and he's a great coach at both the club and high school level. He led the Rochester boys to a state title in 2002 and the Rochester girls to the state final in 2007.

Which team has the best chance to win a state title?
Not sure. Troy and Rochester Adams should be the best in the top division of the OAA, but that league is balanced each year and several teams could emerge. An OAA Red team usually makes a deep run in the state tournament. Beyond that, Birmingham Detroit Country Day in Division 2 is a solid bet also.