The Burlington County Scholastic League realigned this season, which will impact the four varsity boys’ soccer teams within The Trentonian’s coverage area.

Only two – Bordentown and Thrive Charter – actually changed divisions, but the changes will affect each local.

The defending Patriot Division champion Scotties move up to the Liberty Division with Northern Burlington, defending Liberty champ Cinnaminson, Delran and Burlington Township.

That should be an interesting challenge for 14th-year head coach Mike Brennan’s squad, which went 16-4-2 last season and advanced to the NJSIAA Group II Central Tournament semifinals.

With 15 players returning, B’town figures to have another strong side, led by seniors like Everett Hosszu-Barrett (midfielder/forward with 13 goals and 15 assists last year), Anthony Crisostomo (midfielder/forward with six goals and 12 assists), Cole Rosina (forward with 12 goals and three assists) and Marco Carlini (midfielder with four goals and 10 assists).

“(Moving up to the Liberty) means we need to stay focused every day. I’ve told the players that every team will be able to beat us on any given day,” Brennan said. “We have a good squad coming back, capable of doing things better than last year. A team goal is to do better than last year. I think they have the potential to do great things.”

The Greyhounds of Northern Burlington, who went 14-6-1 and were a Central Jersey Group III semifinalist last autumn, welcome the chance to play Bordentown twice after the Scotties beat them, 2-1, in their crossover game a year ago.

Justin Faust, Northern’s 14th-year head coach, also has a strong group returning, spearheaded by senior forwards Elijah Font (21 goals, 11 assists) and Monroe Castor (nine goals, 17 assists), as well as senior midfielders Brody Sheehan (four goals, seven assists) and Gino Santise (four goals, two assists).

“We’ve been really building this group,” Faust said of his upper class. “Of our 10 seniors, eight played as freshmen and took their lumps. They’ve improved each year. The guys are definitely motivated. This Liberty Division is one of the strongest I remember, so we’re not looking past anyone.”

After finishing in a three-way tie for the Independence Division crown with Doane Academy and Medford Tech last fall, Thrive Charter climbs to the Freedom Division, where it will go against Holy Cross Prep, Pennsauken, Pemberton and Moorestown Friends.

The Titans, who were 9-8-2 overall a year ago, will rely on its senior class of midfielder/forward Miguel Quijada, fullback Jameson Hague, back/midfielder Jonathan Alvarez and midfielder Jorge Valdez to guide them through this change.

“We lost a lot of goal scorers, plus our goalkeeper and some of our defense,” said assistant coach Matt Stout, who was running practices for the team during the summer while the school searched for a new head coach after Ruben Morales joined the staff at Mercer County Community College. “But we have guys back who play a lot of soccer year round, so I think they’ll be more well-rounded and more hungry this season.”

Ninth-year head coach Kyle Ballay and his Florence squad remain in the Patriot Division, competing with Palmyra, Riverside, Maple Shade, Freedom Division champ Westampton Tech and newcomer Camden Tech.

The Flashes, who were 9-8-3 last year and advanced to the Central Jersey Group I semifinals, return a very solid group that always seems to challenge for a Patriot title.

This autumn figures to be more of the same under the leadership of seniors like goalkeeper Michael Habingreither, fullback Blake Boss, midfielders Justin Marbach and Matteo Trezza (who tied for the team lead in scoring with eight goals as a junior), plus midfielder/forward Max Kyeremeh.

“We have more depth than we usually have. I’m not complaining. It’s a good problem to have,” Ballay said. “We didn’t lose a big senior class. I think we’ll be able to account for that. We have a lot of guys who can be dangerous.”

The BCSL’s boys’ soccer Independence Division will now consist of Doane Academy, Medford Tech, Burlington City, Willingboro and Pennsauken Tech.

BORDENTOWN

Head Coach — Mike Brennan (14th season).

Assistant Coaches — Verlensky Joachim, Dean Kreiser, David Pone, Gilbert Yeboah, Pat Luckie.

Last Season — 16-4-2 overall, 8-0 BCSL Patriot, Patriot Division champion, NJSIAA Group II Central Tournament semifinalist, No. 5 in Trentonian Top 15.

Roster — Everett Hosszu-Barrett (Sr., M/F), Anthony Crisostomo (Sr., M/F), Cole Rosina (Sr., F), Marco Carlini (Sr., M), Chris Basile (Sr., M/F), Joe Hartz (Sr., B), Liam Mellor (Jr., G), Joey Nyzio (Jr., B), Cullen Hosszu-Barrett (So., B/M), Sam Caldwell (So., F), Ediz Gungor (So., M), Jesse Madeya (So., M), Liam Delaney (So., G), Jack Williams (So.,B ), Kyle Williams (So., F), James Cimorelli (So., M), Luke Pado (So., M), Jace Rich (Fr., M/B), Adam Elaryan (Fr., M), Lucas Liberman (Fr., M/B).

Outlook — The Scotties had 10 players graduate and have 15 back for what they hope will be another strong season with Brennan. A climb to the Liberty will be tough, but loaded B’town should prove up to the challenge.

FLORENCE

Head Coach — Kyle Ballay (ninth season).

Assistant Coaches — Chris Bratty, Matt Senni.

Last Season — 9-8-3 overall, 3-3-2 BCSL Patriot, NJSIAA Group I Central Tournament semifinalist, No. 13 in Trentonian Top 15.

Roster — Blake Boss (Sr., B), Matteo Trezza (Sr., M), Max Kyeremeh (Sr., M/F), Michael Habingreither (Sr., G), Justin Marbach (Sr., M), Talley Krangar (Sr., B), Jeyka Hunter (Sr., B/M/F), Chris Becker (Sr., B), Vinny VanLieu (Sr., F), Charles Norfleet (Jr., F), Adam Piotrowski (Jr., B), Max Castro (Jr., M), Demeter Crawley (Jr., B/M/F), Brian Menchu Chaj (Jr., F), Jake Supey (So., B), Colin Aust (So., B), Liam Aust (So., M/F), Vinnie Mancuso (So., F), Noah Baker (Fr., F/M), Nick Liberto (Fr., B/M/F).

Outlook — The Flashes only graduated three, leaving 14 players back, hoping to make noise in the revamped Patriot. Florence has key contributors all over the field, which should make it a troublesome opponent.

NORTHERN BURLINGTON

Head Coach — Justin Faust (14th season).

Assistant Coaches — Dave Rogers, Mike Shtino, Connor Hogan, Davis Hallman.

Last Season — 14-6-1 overall, 3-3 BCSL Liberty, Liberty Division runner-up, NJSIAA Group III Central semifinalist, No. 6 in Trentonian Top 15.

Roster — Elijah Font (Sr., F), Monroe Castor (Sr., F), Gino Santise (Sr., M), Joe Stevens (Sr., M), Lukas Kekesi (Sr., M), Brody Sheehan (Sr., M), Lucas Villegas (Sr., B), James Murray (Sr., G), Evan Troy (Sr., B), Brody Stryker (Sr., B), Chris Keck (Jr., B), David Castor (Jr., F), Kaustav Kakumani (Jr., B), Eli Wolf (Jr., B), Brenden Koz (Jr., F), Mike Andrejack (Jr., M), Drew Rogers (So., M), Matteo Corso (So., G), Sam Coley (So., M).

Outlook — The Greyhounds graduated six for a second straight season, leaving 16 returnees, the bulk of their team. With a strong senior class, this should be Northern’s year as long as its defense can remain stingy.

THRIVE CHARTER

Assistant Coach — Matt Stout.

Last Season — 9-8-2 overall, 6-2-2 BCSL Independence, Independence Division tri-champs.

Roster — Miguel Quijada (Sr., M/F), Jameson Haque (Sr., B), Jonathan Alvarez (Sr., B/M), Jorge Valdez (Sr., M), Santiago Estrada (Jr., M), Colby Welch Jr. (Jr., F), Alejandro Guerra (Jr., B), Juan Caraballo (Jr., B), Ayden DeLeon (So., M), Axel Gonzalez (So., B/F), Julian Madriz (So., B), Dylan Cua (So., G), Lenox Yeboah (So., G), Elijah Wilson (So., G), Ayo Oladosu (So., F), Jordyn Keita (So., M/F), Judley Touzin (Fr., F), Rupert Peters (Fr., B/M/F), Izaias Pelaez (Fr., M), Javier Batres (Fr., B), Byron Garcia (Fr., B).

Outlook — Assistant coach Stout is helping run the team since Ruben Morales left after two seasons in charge. The Titans graduated 13 and have 11 back, which should help them in a shift to the Freedom Division.