Loch Raven High boys lacrosse coach Rob Persing wants to get one message across about his team: Don?t count them out.
The defending Class 2A-1A state champions have a lot to overcome this season, starting with the graduation of 14 seniors last year, 10 of which were key contributors to the school?s first state title.
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“We are young and raw this year,” Persing said. “We are going to have guys stepping up as role players this year.”
The Raiders return senior attackman Eric Friant, but Persing knows to be successful in the tough Baltimore County league, more of his upperclassmen need to produce.
“There is no weak team out there, and there are no easy games,” Persing said. “Being as young as we are right now, it will be a tough ride.”
While the Raiders are trying to bounce back from losing a lot of experience, their neighbors to the north, Hereford, will benefit from a multitude of returning talent. Bulls coach Carl Runk has 23 players coming back.
“If we play up to our potential, we will be a team to be reckoned with ? there is no doubt about that,” Runk said.
Defending county champ Franklin will butt heads with the Bulls this spring. The Indians have experience returning at midfield and defense, but they also have a tall order to replace more than 110 goals from last year?s three graduated attackmen.
“We will be better than people expect,” Franklin coach Scott Laudeman said. “We will be young, and we have another real tough schedule. I am sure Dulaney would like to prove they are king of the hill again.”
Dulaney, like Franklin, graduated its entire attack, but coach Jake Reed is confident in his midfield, which returns five of six players from last year. Regaining the Baltimore County championship and avenging a state championship loss to Severna Park are on the top of the Lions? wish list.
“They are upset they did not win last year,” Reed said. “They want it this year. They feel that they let the program down a little bit. We are not going to overlook anybody this season.”
EXAMINER TOP 10
(Final 2006 record in parentheses)
1. Boys? Latin (21-0)
2. McDonogh (15-5)
3. St. Paul?s (16-5)
4. Loyola (14-5)
5. Gilman (12-5)
6. St. Mary?s (8-8)
7. Severn (14-10)
8. Severna Park (18-2)
9. Dulaney (16-4)
10. Broadneck (14-3)
