SIMLEY kick-off their new campaign on Thursday (7pm) when they host Hastings in the first game of the regular season.

The Spartans now operate in Section 4, Class A of the Classic Suburban Conference having been switched from Section 3 last year despite reaching the Section 3A final where they suffered an agonizing loss to St Paul Academy.

The Inner Grove Heights school finished their campaign with a 12-5-5 record but will hope to improve upon this in order to go one better this time.

Team coach, Noel Quinn, will have to plan without the services of nine of last year’s squad including three year starter, David Mendoza, as well as All-State nominee and captain of the side last term, Tyler Tatarek.

However, the Spartans coach will look to give youth a chance this time and have faith in their younger players including Mitch Vogel, Malcolm Willie, Mike Ross and Zack Myran who are all tipped to make a positive impact in the red, white and blue this season.

The Irish native believes his players possess the talent to make this campaign a success and is of the opinion that age is irrelevant provided they have the ability.

Quinn insists that mental toughness is an attribute that must shine through to ensure they are contenders this year.

“We have a strong team returning, with a good mix of experience and youth,” said the Simley mentor.

“Joe Fox has played 68 games for Simley to this point and captain Joe Trenzeluk will lead the team”

“We need the young players to contribute to the team and a lot of the responsibility for our success lies with them, they have the ability but we hope they have the mentality.”

The meeting with Hastings this week will get their season underway, but Simley are then involved in the St John’s University Classic competition that begins on Friday when they meet Rochester Century.

A successful outcome in this clash will ensure the Spartans claim a place in the final against either Totino or Blake.

However, the main focus for Simley this year will be to win Section 4 in order to qualify for the State Tournament.

Standing in their way will be main challengers St Paul Como Park, St Paul Humboldt, Mahtomedi, South St Paul and Mounds Park Academy but the Spartans coach insists their main priority is the playoffs.

While it is important to develop a winning habit as early as possible, Quinn says he is more concerned with performances early in the season but is hoping they can hit the ground running on Thursday to build confidence and lay down a marker for the season ahead.

“We don’t really care how the results go in the regular season,” he added.

“We have always used that as a way to get ready for the playoffs, but with a young team, it is always important to get off to a good start.”