Too close to call | Prep Soccer

The emergence of residential academies and specialized programs have made the already-strong prep school scene even that much more impressive. Major-college recruits coupled with an insurgence of international players put these teams on another level. And it's no longer just one or two schools leading the way. In fact, there are so many high-level prep/residential programs playing in the fall that the Prep Top 10, which has existed since 2011, was expanded to 20 to end this season. This year, for only the second time in its history, two teams share the final No. 1 ranking -- NEPSAC Class A champion Northfield Mount Hermon (Mass.) and Class B champion South Kent School (Conn.). Taft School (Conn.) finishes third after placing as a runner-up to Northfield Mount Hermon, which is an unfortunate break for a Taft team that went 19-0 until losing in the final on penalty kicks. SEE THE COMPLETE LIST HERE The Prep Top 10 recognizes programs that are not eligible for the FAB 50 rankings due to the fact schools in these leagues allow for post-grads and/or are year-round residential programs that play fall soccer. Taft School figured to be a clear No. 1 had it won the final. Instead, Northfield Mount Hermon emerged as champion on a 3-2 penalty kick finish following a 1-1 match through regulation and overtime. Taft's loss opened the door for NMH and South Kent, which took the field right after NMH and promptly won the Class B title. NMH and South Kent had nearly identical records and did not face each other. Still, the common opponents showed these programs were very compatible as both teams posted one-goal wins over No. 5-ranked Loomis Chaffee. Both of NMH's losses were to other NEPSAC A schools, which the team atoned for by winning the Class A title. NMH had wins over the final No. 3, 4, and 5-ranked teams. South Kent had a loss to a Class B program and one residential academy, and, like NMH, atoned for the Class B loss by winning the B title. South Kent also had marquee wins over Prep A semifinalist and No. 5-ranked Loomis Chaffee and No. 6 Northwood School (N.Y.), a residential program. It seemed the only fair outcome was to leave these teams as Co-No. 1s for the 2021 season. This marks NMH's first No. 1 finish. South Kent, meanwhile, has finished No. 1 five times since the ranking debuted in 2011. Worcester Academy (Mass.) finished No. 4, ahead of Loomis Chaffee (Conn.) at No. 5. Northwood School, at No. 6, starts a run on non-NEPSAC programs. Hoosac School (N.Y.), a team of international players, made a major splash this season and even posted a win over South Kent en route to a 17-3-4 showing and a No. 7 finish. Kiski School (Pa.), the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association champion, checks in at No. 8. PAISAA situation is unique since some of the participants in that end-of-year tournament are prep schools, such as Kiski, while others are traditional private high schools. While Kiski School won the PAISAA title and earned a final Prep Top 10 ranking, runner-up Germantown Academy is listed among the top high school programs in Pennsylvania and was eligible for the FAB 50 rankings. ALL-TIME PREP TOP 10 BOYS No. 1s 2021 -- Northfield Mount Hermon/South Kent School 2020 -- NONE - COVID-19 2019 -- South Kent School (South Kent, Conn.) 2018 -- Berkshire School (Sheffield, Mass.) 2017 -- Brooks School (North Andover, Mass.) 2016 -- South Kent School (South Kent, Conn.) 2015 -- South Kent School (South Kent, Conn.) 2014 -- Berkshire School (Sheffield, Mass.) 2013 -- Hill School (Pottstown, Pa.)/Berkshire (Sheffield, Mass.) 2012 -- Berkshire School (Sheffield, Mass.) 2011 -- South Kent School (South Kent, Conn.)