East coach Rudy Schenk waited more than two hours for referees to show for the Leopards' first game of the season against Granger last week. Schenk is hoping it's not a harbinger of things to come.

The refs finally arrived and East battled Granger to a 1-1 draw. But it was actually an auspicious start: East lost a large number of seniors from last year's 9-6-2 playoff squad, three of whom went to Division I schools.

"We're definitely filling in a lot of gaps this year," said Schenk. "It's an exciting process for some of the younger guys, but we are going to have a couple bumps along the road. That's just part of the process with a young team."

East (0-1-2) has been realigned to a newly formed Region 6 in Class 4A. While the realignment brings in first-year Stansbury and basement-dweller Tooele, it also now includes a strong Woods Cross team that figures to be a region title contender along with Highland and Olympus. Throw in an improved Bountiful team and Schenk knows the grouping does not add up to an easy season.

"There are five strong teams now in our region, and we only send four teams to state. So we're calling it the Region of Death after the World Cup's Group of Death that has Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast in it," said Schenk with a chuckle. "One of those teams will be left on the outside looking in, just like one of the Region 6 teams will be this year."

Schenk does have striker Sergio Figueroa to lean on. Figueroa had four goals last year, and uses his speed to push the tempo on the pitch. Midfielder Spencer Ford has two goals already on the season, and is a team captain alongside Figueroa.

"Those guys [Figueroa and Ford] are going to have to show up for each and every game," Schenk said. "They know that we need them to lead us, especially early in the year."

The defense is anchored by Whit Morgan and Grayden Gakowski. The goalie situation is where Schenk has some trepidation. Last year's backup, Mikey Pena, will have a chance to prove he's the best option, but he will have competition from a senior walk-on and sophomore brought up from the junior varsity, Schenk said.

East last won a state title in 2006. While this team is young, they know they have the talent to do well in the playoffs.

With region play starting this week against Tooele and a matchup with Stansbury the following week, the Leopards should get off to a good start.

Provided the refs show up.