After a handful of opening-round playoff games last night, the Maryland public school lacrosse playoffs begin in earnest Saturday with the region quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals Monday and Wednesday.
Here’s a look at the prospects of the local boys teams.
4A/3A WEST
» Favorite: No. 5 Wootton (14-0) enters the postseason in top form with hopes of becoming Montgomery County’s first team to get past the state semifinal round. Wootton has more depth and experience than last year when it fell to eventual state champion Severna Park, 12-6, in the semis. Leaders include A Sam Burns (44 goals), M Ben Engleman (27 goals, 14 assists), D Brendan Ray, GK Steven Silverberg (77 percent) and faceoff standout Patrick Bailey (75 percent).
» Who’s Hot: Walter Johnson (9-5) has won six of its last seven going into Saturday’s tough playoff opener against B-CC (6-5). Will the Wildcats’ improvement provide a confidence boost for a probable semifinal matchup with Wootton Monday? The Patriots downed WJ 11-4 on April 14.
» Who’s Not: Springbrook (11-1) was flying high, averaging 15 goals per game, until its offense was grounded by Churchill, 15-4, a week ago. Can the Blue Devils, led by M Ben Simmons (29 goals, 13 assists) and A Adam Brizendine (33 goals, 10 assists), regain their mojo for a probable region semifinal rematch with Churchill Monday?
» Look Out: Churchill (10-2) gave Wootton its toughest game in the regular season, falling 8-6. The aggressive Bulldogs want another shot at their neighborhood rival. D Bertan Unal, LSM Scott Minela, GK Griffin Farha and faceoff standout Harris Middell make the Bulldogs tough to score on.
4A/3A NORTH
» Favorite: Gaithersburg (12-2) is the top seed, led by brothers Derek and Bennett Cord. This is unfamiliar territory for the Trojans who were drummed from the playoffs last year, 12-3, by North Carroll, a team with a losing record in tough Carroll County.
» Who’s Hot: After starting the season with nine straight losses, Richard Montgomery (3-9) has won three in a row, scoring 40 goals in the process behind seniors George Sault and Michael Wollins. RM played at Watkins Mill (4-9) in the opening round last night.
» Who’s Not: Quince Orchard (6-6) has lost five of its last seven, but remains a dangerous offensive team, averaging 10.6 goals per game led by M Mike Mascio and A Matt Mele. The Cougars play Northwest (3-9) in the quarters Saturday.
» Look Out: Perennial power Westminster (9-5) doesn’t have one of its stronger teams, but the Owls are hardened by superior competition in Carroll County. To get to the semifinals, however, and a probable game with QO, Westminster will have to deal with North Carroll (6-8), a team it needed to go to OT to beat last Friday, 13-12.
3A/2A WEST
» Favorite: High-scoring Walkersville (11-1), averaging 16.2 goals per game, enters as a strong favorite. Their toughest competition might come from Urbana (7-4). The teams appear destined for a semifinal matchup Monday.
» Who’s Hot: Kennedy (7-5) has put together its first winning season in school history by capturing five of its last six games behind M Teddy Wescott and A Alex Yewdell. Winning in this region will be considerably tougher, however, than in the Montgomery 3A/2A/1A.
» Who’s Not: Linganore (4-6) comes into the playoffs with two straight losses, but might be ready for second-seeded Seneca Valley (11-1) after facing tougher competition than the Screaming Eagles in the regular season.
» Look Out: Seneca Valley (11-1), paced by attackmen Michael Fahrner and Nick Young, is tournament tough. With four of its last five wins coming by two or fewer goals, the Screaming Eagles know how to win the close ones.
