Over the course of five weeks, ESPNHS previews the Development Academy -- two divisions at a time. Today, ESPNHS completes its preseason look with Texas Division of the Central Conference and the Northeast Division of the East Conference.

The Texas Division is made up solely of teams from that state, while the Northeast has two squads each from Connecticut and Maine and one each from New York and New Hampshire.

FC Dallas of the Texas Division and Empire United of the Northeast are the defending champions in their under-17/18 age group.

The 2011-2012 season begins for the Texas Division with several teams in action Sept. 17 and for the Northeast Division with games starting Nov. 19

These are the five things to watch in the Texas and Northeast divisions of under-17/18 action.

1. Looking to Repeat

Syracuse-bound forward Stefanos Stamoulacatos (17 goals) and forward Tyler Forbes (four) have moved up to the under-17/18s after leading the under-15/16s to the division crown last year. Stamoulacatos scored hat tricks against DC United and the New England Revolution. Keeper Alexander Bono, also up from the under-15/16s, was voted the Academy Goalie of the Year for 2010-2011, said coach Paul Valenti. Also looking good are midfielders Michael Koegel and Garrett Rauck, Wisconsin-bound defender Adam Lauko and Villanova-bound defender Liam Callahan.

2. Loading Up

Several players from last year’s Dallas Texans squad that finished second in the under-15/16 Texas Division have moved up to the under-17/18 team that finished among the top three in its division. Among them are midfielder James "Brody" Hickey (two goals) and goalie Kevin Wright. They will join forward Caleb Richardson (six goals), midfielders Jeff Torda and Joe Haines and defender Jacob Speed, all of whom are returning starters.

3. New Edition

Lonestar, which placed third last year in the Texas Division, will benefit from the presence of forward Kekuta Manneh (35 goals) and defender Cameron Niccum, who have moved over from the under-15/16 Texas Division titlist Texas Rush AJ Auxerre. Manneh and returning Wake Forest-bound forward-midifielder Thomas Haws (nine) and Northern Illinois-bound forward Parker Thornton should be trouble up top, as will St. Louis-bound Khalil Karl in the midfield. Niccum will blend with defenders Kyle McDonald (two goals) and Matt Schwarz. "We’ll be playing an attacking brand of soccer," coach Bruce Talbot said.

4. Cautious Optimism

As Director of Youth Development for the New England Revolution, Bryan Scales is encouraged by the talent that has infiltrated the roster of from last year’s Northeast Division runner-up under-15/16 squad. The Revolution’s under-17/18 squad was fourth in its division.

5. One is a Lonely Number

After finishing second in the Northeast Division, the Seacoast United has only one player back, having sent both high-scoring Faz Nabi (nine goals) and Jeremy Pettrucelli (five) to Providence, forward Michael Bloom (six) to Andover Academy as a post graduate committed to Lafayette and Samuel White (four) to Bowdoin College in Maine. "It will be a rebuilding year for our team," coach Rob Thompson said.

This Year’s Teams:

Texas Division: Andromeda FC, Classic Elite, Dallas Texans, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Lonestar SC, Solar Chelsea, Texas Rush A.J. Auxerre, Texans SC.

Northeast Division: Empire United, FC Greater Boston, New England Revelution, Oakwood Soccer Club, Seacost United, South Carolina

Season’s First Matches: Texas Division: Sept. 17 -- Solar Chelsea at Texans SC; Andromeda at Houston Dynamo; Dallas Texans at Lonestar SC Academy; FC Dallas at Classics Elite ... Northeast Division: Nov. 19 -- Met Oval at New England Revolution; Cosmos Academy at FC Greater Boston; Seacost United at D.C. United; Empire United at Baltimore Bays Chelsea.

Last Year’s Standings

Under-17/18

Central Conference

Texas Division
FC Dallas (10-1-5 division, 16-1-6 overall)
Dallas Texans (8-0-8, 12-0-11)
Lonestar SC Academy (9-6-1, 9-10-4)
Andromeda FC (7-6-3, 11-8-4)
Classic Elite (4-6-6, 6-9-8)
Solar Chelsea SC (4-7-5, 7-10-6)
Texas Rush AJ Auxerre (4-8-4, 7-12-4)
Houston Dynamo (4-9-3, 6-11-6)
Texas SC Houston (2-9-5, 5-11-7)

East Conference

Northeast Division
Empire United (6-2-2, 13-9-4)
Seacoast United (5-1-4, 9-10-7)
FC Greater Boston (5-3-2, 11-7-8)
New England Revolution (3-3-4, 9-11-6)
Oakwood Soccer Club (3-6-1, 8-13-5)
South Central Premier (1-8-1, 4-19-3)