The Oak Harbor High School soccer team won’t lack for experience when it takes the field this season.

The Wildcats return 14 lettermen, including 11 from a deep senior class.

Among the seniors are four who received all-league honors in 2016. Leading the way is JJ Mitchell, a three-year starter and two-time, first-team all-Wesco choice.

Andrew Franssen and Kegan Snell were second-team selections and Kurtis Zylstra was honorable mention last year.

Other seniors are Spencer Champion, Josh Coe, Cameron Costner, Seth Gluth, Jared Hoyt, Austin Moncada and Chaz Purdy.

Juniors Eric Closson and Taylor Jackson and sophomore Nathan Merrill also lettered last spring.

Former junior varsity coach Jeff Laiblin is taking over the varsity from Brian Thompson, who retired after 23 years in the program.

The Wildcats finished 2016 with a 4-9-3 record and took ninth in the Western Conference at 3-7-2.

Key newcomers, according to Laiblin, are seniors Scot Erickson and Enrique Herranz and sophomores Julian Hinkle and Kanoa King.

The team’s speed and experience will be its strengths, Laiblin said. His major concern is getting the team into “soccer shape.”

“Our goal is to improve every time we play and to make the postseason.” Laiblin said. “Losing in a play-in game the last two years has this team on a mission to not only make the postseason, but to do something once we get there.”

The march to the playoffs begins with a jamboree at Lakewood at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 9.

South Whidbey visits Wildcat Memorial Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11.