After losing a successful coach and a large crop of standout players, it can be expected to have a down season.
First-year coach Brad Widner and the South Carroll boys lacrosse team has made sure that hasn't happened.
Gone were longtime coach Bill McDermott and all-county players such as Collin Dizon, Blake McDermott, Joe Cooper, John King, and Garrett Snell.
But in came Widner and a new cast of leaders to maintain SC's strong lacrosse program. Not only did the Cavaliers avoid a down season, but they are playing in tonight's county championship game against unbeaten Liberty at North Carroll High School at 7.
"I have to be happy," Widner said after a win over Manchester Valley on April 28. "A lot of people didn't think this team could do that."
South Carroll (9-5) finished atop the Cowan Division after losing just two county games. The Lions are atop the Hersh Division, and new Carroll County Athletic League rules pit the two division winners against each other in a county title game.
The Cavaliers' only two losses against Carroll opponents came against Liberty and Westminster, which has won the county championship the past three seasons. And even in losses, South Carroll has kept the score competitive.
When the Cavs played Liberty on April 21, they lost 11-8. After losing three of its first four games this season, SC has won nine of its last 12 including four in a row entering the county championship game.
Each of the Cavaliers' last five games have been decided by four goals or fewer, something that Widner previously said could benefit his team as it nears the postseason.
"Being in close games and being able to keep your head on and make smart decisions I think is great for them, I think it's great character building," Widner said.
Junior midfielder Kyle Dizon is SC's leading scorer with 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists). Senior attack Jimmy Wagner, a second team all-countian a season ago, leads the team with 35 goals, while also dishing out five assists.
The Cavaliers have also gotten contributions from junior attacks Kyle Worsley (28 goals, eight assists) and Sam Crossman (19 goals, three assists).
SC's defense, led by senior Garrett Colvin, has allowed seven goals or fewer in each of its last three games.
The Cavaliers last won a county championship in 2011 and their last outright title came in 2009.
It'll certainly be a tough task for SC to end its four-year county title drought. Liberty won the Class 2A-1A West Region title last season and has scored 10 or more goals in each of its last six games.
But the challenge is something that the Cavaliers are looking forward to.
"We're more than excited," Dizon said. "It's something we're looking forward to a lot, it's going to be awesome."
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