In the 4A state championship game last spring, Howard boys' lacrosse was in an unfamiliar spot.
Undefeated and with a perfect county slate behind them, the Lions, playing in their first title game, fell to South River for the state championship.
Howard coach Jimmy Creighton feels that state finals run, however, might just be an appetizer for the program and his senior-laden team. The Lions hope that loss is the driving force for a run at a state crown this spring.
"(In) 2013, we made the state final four, and we kind of took that next step last year and won the county and got to the state final," Creighton said. "Ever since we came in together four or five years ago, (winning states) has kind of been the goal. That's been verbalized to the team, the parents and the community that that's what we want to do.
"Definitely in the back of everyone's mind — especially these seniors — would be to get back to that (state title) game, and get that opportunity to be in that game again."
Although the Lions graduated several top starters from last year's team, this squad has the experience and talent to make a similar run. Senior Scott Bruner, a key factor in the teams' playoff push last spring, hopes he never again has to feel the pain of falling one game short.
"It was extremely exciting to be in the state championship game last year because each year we have been knocking on the doorstep," Bruner said. "But overall it was disappointing to lose after all that hard work. It just makes us more hungry this year, especially for those seniors being our last year out here."
Led by Bruner, who scored a county-leading 45 goals last season, and Cody Ford, Howard has two of the top goal-scorers in the state.
With senior all-county selection Brad Zulick in the midfield, and Adam Friedman and Marshall McGlone controlling the defense, the Lions have top performers at almost every position on the field.
"We have a well-balanced team. It's not just that we have a strong defense or a strong offense, everybody mixes well together to give us a full-strength team," Bruner said.
Replacing Howard County Player of the Year John Travisano, however, is a tall task. Creighton believes he has a face-off man — senior Ryan Land — that can win at least 60 percent of the draws and be one of the county's top performers.
"I think he would have been a starter on a lot of teams, not only in the county but in the state, last year if it weren't for John being ahead of him," Creighton said. "We just need Ryan to be Ryan. We don't need him to be John."
In a sense, the Lions will have a new task this season. The target — which has traditionally been on the backs of Glenelg and Centennial — now sits squarely between their numbers.
Bruner knows teams will be bringing their 'A' game, hoping to knock off the defending county champions. He thinks, however, it will only help in the long run.
Creighton isn't bothered by being the favorite either. He knows his team has been through bigger obstacles to get to this point. Nothing compares to the loss in a state championship game. That's why Creighton feels this might just be the year to get it done.
"Just talking to some of the seniors, it would be pretty nice if they could finish their career out with a state title," he said. "But we're not trying to put a ton of pressure on them for that right now. We are trying to take it one step at a time and stay true to that during the season."
That first step will be March 20 against River Hill — a team that returns almost every starter after going 9-8 overall and 6-5 in county play last year.
The Hawks lost six of those games by a single goal, and coach Keith Gonsouland hopes his team will improve its ability to finish games and play the full four quarters. River Hill will be led by senior attackman Jimmy McEaney, who scored 32 goals and had 23 assists in 2014.
Expected to be at the top of the county again is Glenelg, which returns three starters from last year's squad.
The Gladiators are heavy on juniors with captain Matt Baxter leading the defense and Kevin Coppinger up top. But their key to success might be a trio of sophomore midfielders — Carson Marshall, Brett Wasson and Breyer Burford.
Coming off a 9-2 county and 10-5 overall record last year, Centennial returns six starters — including four long-pole defenders. Senior Kevin Wilson, a four-year starter, will look to lead the Eagles defense, while junior Mike Moore, who chipped in 30 goals last year, hopes to play an even bigger role in the offense.
The Route 99 schools — Mt. Hebron and Marriotts Ridge — return several key starters to teams that went 7-4 in county play. Vikings junior Casey Dubois might be the county's top goalie, while Mustangs seniors Patrick Clipp (midfield) and Jack Grote (attack) are expected to lead the team in points.
Here's a snapshot look at each county team (for full capsules, visit howardcountytimes.com):
Atholton
Coach: Erik Burnett
Last season: 7-9 overall, 5-6 county
Top players: Seniors Sam Smith (A), Michael Turner (D), Jordan Maddox (M), Zach Aldrich (D) and Jason Pazulski (FO); juniors Joey Brewer (A), Nick Sabella (D) and Donny Quinn (D).
Scouting report: Although the Raiders return only three starters, coach Erik Burnett doesn't think experience will be a factor for the teams' success in 2015.
"We have a bunch of guys who have been on varsity for a year or two already and understand what we want to accomplish, even if they weren't starters before this year," Burnett said. "The players seem to have a good feel for each other and sometimes it looks like they have played together for years."
Look for the Atholton defense to be a strong point this season. Burnett says they have a combination of guys who will help create extra possessions for the offense.
Centennial
Coach: Nick Kellinger
Last season: 10-5, 9-2
Top players: Seniors Kevin Wilson (D), Kody Clark (D) and Sam Clay (M); juniors Mike Moore (A) and Jason Simpson (G).
Scouting report: The Eagles have been near the top of the county year-in and year-out, so don't look for 2015 to be any different.
Their strength will be the defense — specifically the long-pole defenders — and the offense will need to improve throughout the season in order to take the county title.
Unfortunately, their schedule doesn't work in their favor as they start the season with three tough games against Marriotts Ridge, Oakland Mills and River Hill.
"Our first three games of the season before spring break will be crucial," said coach Nick Kellinger.
Glenelg
Coach: Josh Hatmaker
Last season: 13-5, 9-2
Top players: Seniors Matt Baxter (D) and Kevin Coppinger (A); Juniors Carson Marshall (M), Brett Wasson (M) and Breyer Burford (M).
Scouting report: The Gladiators fell short in county play against Howard and Centennial last season, but expect the team to battle for the county title this spring.
The key to success for the Gladiators, however, is if they can get over their lack of experience.
"This is the youngest team that I have had in the last 11 years. The good thing is that they are incredibly talented young kids," coach Josh Hatmaker said. "(We) just need to get them acclimated to the speed of varsity play."
Hatmaker said he hopes his team will hit its stride after Spring Break and in time for River Hill on April 7.
Hammond
Coach: Chris Reagle
Last season: 0-15, 0-11
Top players: Seniors Elijah Kane (A), Wudood Omran (M) and Eric Smith (M).
Scouting report: The Golden Bears lost every starter from last year's squad, but coach Chris Reagle hopes this team can grow together and be a team to beat in upcoming years.
The key to success will be how quickly his new squad can gel and how they pick up offensive and defensive schemes.
Although they might not have a ton of experience, they do have players that, with some skill development, could mature into standouts.
"We have good athletes that need to develop into good lacrosse players," Reagle said.
Howard
Coach: Jimmy Creighton
Last season: 18-1, 11-0
Top players: Seniors Scott Bruner (A), Adam Friedman (D), Cody Ford (A), Brad Zulick (M), Marshall McGlone (D) and Nolan Dunnigan (M).
Scouting report: The Lions had their breakthrough season last spring, but don't expect them to take a step backwards in 2015. Instead, Howard hopes this is the year to take the next step and win the state title.
With Scott Bruner and Cody Ford up top, Howard has two of the best goal-scorers in the state, and Friedman and McGlone make up one of the best defenses in the county.
Coach Jimmy Creighton, however, says in order for his team to make another title run, they need to "(come) together as a group, creating that cohesiveness" that was a strength in last year's team.
Long Reach
Coach: Frank Valenza
Last season: 4-11, 2-9
Top players: Senior Skylar Briscoe (M); juniors Ryan Menusan (D) and Anthony Valenza (G).
Scouting report: The Lightning return more starters from last year than a lot of teams, but coach Frank Valenza says his group needs time to develop before they become a serious threat in the county.
"Our overall team skills and lacrosse IQ will have a tough time competing with the teams west of (Route) 29," Valenza said.
Long Reach has two experienced seniors, including Briscoe in the midfield. Look for the defense, led by Ryan Menusan, to be a strong point as well. Also, Anthony Valenza has potential to make strides between the pipes.
Marriotts Ridge
Coach: Tony Incontrera
Last season: 9-7, 7-4
Top players: Seniors Patrick Clipp (M), Jack Grote (A) and Kenyon Hendershot (M); junior Troy Hensh (A); sophomore Robert Luciano (D).
Scouting report: The Mustangs return six starters, including five on offense. But coach Tony Incontrera hopes those five players have been putting in the work in the offseason to help lead the team into title contention.
The strength of the team, though, is in the middle of the field.
"We have seven midfielders that are returning varsity athletes, so we are going to lean on them quite a bit to provide leadership," Incontrera said.
If they can get solid play from offense and at the goalie position, Marriotts Ridge has potential to thrive during a stretch of early games against Centennial, Glenelg, Howard and South Carroll — all before April 2.
Mt. Hebron
Coach: Michael McCarthy
Last season: 9-7, 7-4
Top players: Seniors Shane Brookhart (A), Stefen Chavis (FO/M) and Brian Demek (M); juniors Casey Dubois (G), Matt Leone (D), Will Hamman (D) and Kyle Sutton (A).
Scouting report: The Vikings have eight starters back from last year's team that was in the top tier of the county, so experience will be on their side.
Brookhart leads the offense, but it is the defense that will push Mt. Hebron into county championship contention.
"We have one of the best defenses in the state," McCarthy said. "(We have) great defensive middies, disciplined close defenders who are very good athletes, and a top-level goalie."
Mt. Hebron starts the season against Reservoir, which McCarthy says is a great early test for his team after the weather shortened their practice time.
Oakland Mills
Coach: Skip Darden
Last season: 5-11, 1-10
Top players: Seniors Jessie Ketchum (G) and Ryan Zovko (M); sophomore Evan Riss (D).
Scouting report: The Scorpions return senior attackman Jordan Snead to help run the offense, but look for their defense to be the key to their success.
"The biggest determining factor to our success will be our attitude toward the game, our aggressiveness on ground balls, our defensive play and the commitment of these players to begin to build a legacy program for future Scorpions," coach Skip Darden said.
Oakland Mills starts the season with a winnable game against Hammond on March 20, but will face four of the top county teams — Centennial, Howard, Mt. Hebron and Marriotts Ridge — in the first three weeks of the season.
Reservoir
Coach: Bryan Cole
Last season: 9-7, 6-5
Top players: Seniors Matt Marsh (M), Andrew Rutten (M) and JT Arias (D); juniors Jackson Hill (D/M), Logan Mitchell (A) and Max Zester (A).
Scouting report: The Gators return only three starters and will be young, but coach Bryan Cole thinks his team has the talent and desire to be in the top tier of county teams.
"Experience will definitely be a factor, though we will have to wait and see how it impacts us," Cole said.
Led by JT Arias and Jackson Hill on defense and Jake Smith in goal, the back end will be a strength for Reservoir. Cole thinks his team will need to gel early on in order to have success.
"For (us) to be successful this year, the boys will have to come together quickly," Cole said. "With tons of new faces on the team, they will have to figure themselves out quickly."
River Hill
Coach: Keith Gonsouland
Last season: 9-8, 6-5
Top players: Seniors Jimmy McEaney (A), Zach Beard (A), Josh Schulman (M), Kelly Remson (D), Brady Kinner (D), Zach Wolf (D), Brian Decker (D), and Darius Khademi (G); juniors Jake Friedman (A) and Danny Isaac (M).
Scouting report: The Hawks return more starters (10) than any other team in the county and are expected to compete with Howard, Centennial and Glenelg for county supremacy.
Coach Keith Gonsouland says the defense will be the strength of the team, led by Darius Khademi in goal. He added that he hopes his team learned from several close defeats in 2014.
"Last year, we lost six one-goal games, so we are focusing on playing four quarters or any extra time if need be," Gonsouland said.
River Hill opens the season against Howard on March 20, and Gonsouland thinks his team has a chance to surprise some people.
"We believe that we can play with anyone if we play disciplined, hard-nosed lacrosse," he said.
Wilde Lake
Coach: Jon Robinson
Last season: 6-10, 3-8
Top players: Seniors Dana Dickerson (D) and Brian Houstle (M); juniors Ryan Tiffey (M) and Patrick Riley (A); sophomore Kevin Comeaux (M).
Scouting report: Wildecats' coach Jon Robinson thinks this team might be one of the most athletic he's had in his six years at Wilde Lake, and could be one of the most successful.
With three athletes who played club lacrosse in the offseason, Robinson hopes they mix well with a roster full of football, hockey and soccer players.
"The strength of this team is how we are one group. There's no offense, midfield or defense that makes or breaks us," Robinson said. "We all are one unit this year."
However, the Wildecats will need to overcome a lack of experience — something many county teams have — in order to have some success this spring.
Glenelg Country
Coach: Risto Worthington
Last season: 1-12, 1-12 MIAA B Conf.
Top players: Juniors Reid Chaconas (M), Sean Escalante (M), Wyatt Naylor (A) and Eric Wootton (M); sophomores Christian Vandenhuevel (D) and BJ Borowski (G).
Scouting report: The Dragons had a disappointing season in 2014, finishing with only one victory.
But they will look to several sophomores and juniors — led by Reid Chaconas, who led the team in points, and Wyatt Naylor, who led the team in goals — to improve in the MIAA B Conference loaded with tough teams.
Sophomore transfer BJ Borowski will look to make an immediate impact between the pipes, and defender Christian Vandenhuevel, who stands at 6 feet, 4 inches, will be an intimidating force on the back end.