After a couple of underachieving years in the Redmond High School boys’ soccer program, head coach Patrick Scheibe thinks this might be the year of the Mustang.

And looking at his roster this year, there’s no reason to doubt him.

The perennially strong program turned out nearly 100 players this year in total, and the Mustangs have experience, talent and depth to take to the pitch this spring.

“I have really high expectations,” said Scheibe on this season’s hopes. “For the last two years, we really didn’t achieve what we thought we could have. As a senior group, they’re pretty hungry. They’re not looking at when they’re going to graduate, they’re looking at this season and staying pretty focused with that.”

UPPER CLASS

While there are too many rostered seniors to count on this year’s squad, the team will be led by co-captains Preston Horner, J.T. Newton and Shawn Cooley, each of whom have been in the program for all their years at Redmond.

Horner, Newton and sophomore Jose Ocampo will provide a backfield wall for opposing offenses that won’t be easily broken. On offense, Cooley, along with forwards Tyler Bennett, Cooper Bilgener and Jack Smith will look to pressure opposing defenses and create some good shots on goal.

“J.T. Newton, he’s going to be a solid anchor we can really depend upon,” Scheibe said. “We have Preston Horner who was a standout last year… he’s one of those guys with the high motor and engine. His twin brother (Derek) fractured his back two years ago is back playing. It’s fun to watch the twins play together on the field.”

With no real weaknesses on the field, one of the question marks heading into the year was who would take over in goal, and the Mustangs seem to have that figured out.

Fourth-year player Cody Munsell has paid his dues and looks to get the nod, along with one of the most technically sound goalkeepers Scheibe has ever seen in freshman Grayson Raffensperger, who looks to solidify that position for the Mustangs in the years to come.

“My expectation is that (Raffensperger) will grow stronger as many freshmen do,” Scheibe noted. “He amazes me every time he steps on the field.”

Although the deep program had an “infusion of some really talented young players” according to Scheibe, it will be the seniors that have the opportunity to shine during their final season.

“This year, I feel it represents us as seniors,” Cooley said. “It’s our year to demonstrate our talent, our skill and our ability to lead.”

GUARDED CONFIDENCE

The Mustangs got off to an exciting start in their 2011 campaign, going 4-0 and outscoring their opponents 14-2 including three shutouts, before falling 1-0 to Newport in their final non-league game on Tuesday night.

Ask the players, and the sense is that there is a different feeling in the air this year, bred by the confidence that experience can bring.

“I think we can win Kingco pretty handily and go far at state,” said Preston Horner. “We have the talent.”

Newton added that it was vital for this years’ seniors, many of who have been playing soccer together since they were in grade school, to not get ahead of themselves and stay focused.

“As long as we take it game-by-game and not get cocky, we should be fine,” he said. “We gotta keep it zoned in, since we’re all friends and like to goof around a lot. Come game time, we work 110 percent every time.”

Thanks to his team’s depth, Scheibe said he won’t put as much pressure on individual players since he has so many athletes that step in and play at a high level.

After bowing out early from a disappointing 5-7-3 season last year, the Mustangs are hungrier than ever to make a run at the league title and a state berth.

“It’s a guarded confidence,” Scheibe said on his team’s anticipations heading into league play. “We’re pleased with what we’ve seen, but there’s a big difference between the preseason and then stepping on when it counts. We’ll start off (Kingco) with a tough one against Eastlake, who’s always strong, and see how we do.”

The Mustangs play Eastlake tonight, at Eastlake, at 7:30 in their Kingco opener.

REDMOND HIGH FASTPITCH AT A GLANCE

• Head coach: Patrick Scheibe, 17th season

• Last year: 4-5-2, 7th in 4A Kingco Division, 5-7-3 overall

• 2011 turnout: 96

KEY RETURNERS

• Sr. Preston Horner, D/MF: Outstanding defender and vocal team leader heads a phenomenal senior class this season.

• Sr. J.T. Newton, D: Third-year defensive starter leads a strong Mustang backfield.

• Sr. Shawn Cooley, F: Co-captain with Horner and Newton, he puts defenses under pressure with his ability to create shots.

• So. Marcus Bircher, MF: Second-team all Kingco last year, is a quick and rock-solid midfielder.

• Jr. Tyler Bennett, F: Excellent attacking forward should score plenty this season.

• Srs. Alex Hall, Jack Smith, MF: Pair of quick, strong and determined midfield-forwards.

• Soph. Jose Ocampo, D: Versatile, athletic shut-down type defender has plenty of offensive skills too.

TOP NEWCOMERS

• Sr. Derek Horner, D/M: Coming back from injury, Preston’s twin brother can at times be the best player on the field.

• Sr. Cody Munsell, K: Fourth-year keeper will get a chance to shine in goal. Can make amazing, game-changing saves.

• Srs. Justin Abe, Derek Chan, MF: Hard-working upperclassmen bolster the Mustangs’ presence at midfield.

• Sr. Jacob Hegge, D: Great work ethic and tenacious defender won’t let much get past him.

• Fr. Grayson Raffensperger, K: Excellent technical skill in goal, will compete this year for a starting spot at that position.

DID YOU KNOW?

Longtime head coach Pat Scheibe, who began coaching at Redmond before many of his current players were born, has been coaching soccer since age 12 at the recreational, select, premier, high school, Olympic Development and collegiate levels.

KEY GAME

• Redmond at Eastlake, Monday, May 9, 4 p.m.: This matchup with the rival Wolves, who always turn out a solid team, will be a good test to see if the Mustangs are playoff-ready as they take on a tough squad on the road.

COACH’S QUOTE

“I think that we could have a very good season this year.  Kingco is always a very difficult league with so many solid teams, but I believe we will be able to compete for the playoffs and an opportunity to go to state. I think every game will be a challenge.”   — Redmond coach Pat Scheibe