Region III spreads from North Carolina to Texas, and this week more than 200 of the region’s best teams converge in Greenville, S.C., for the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

The Championships begin with group play on Friday, June 15, and continue with the knockout stages concluding Wednesday, June 20.

This weekend’s story lines include returning champs with impeccable rosters, last year’s finalists who are trying to get over the hump, and teams from Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama trying to prove their state has what it takes to win a regional title. The preview also highlights a brewing Carolina rivalry, a down-to-earth Tennessee squad and even a possible “group of death.”

ESPNHS takes a look at some of this week’s top stories, top teams and top players heading into the championships: Under-15s | Under-16s | Under-17s | Under-18s