It's been the one missing piece in the trophy case.
The Howard boys lacrosse team had made the progressions – first the regional finals in 2012, the state semifinals in 2013, then the state finals in 2014.
But now, for the first time since the MPSSAA started the state tournament in 1991, the Lions can finally say it: they are state champions.
Howard won the 4A/3A title at Stevenson University on Wednesday night with a 14-6 demolition of Churchill of Montgomery County, also playing for its first state championship.
"I'm really proud of the guys right now, proud of their effort," said Howard coach Jimmy Creighton, who improved to 78-14 as Lions' coach. "I'm proud to be a part of this. Proud to be a part of this school, this community, this program. All the hard work — it was worth it, and they would agree with me. ... These guys have bought in, and I'm proud of these guys, and it feels good to finally get to hold the trophy at the end of the season."
The game was never in doubt as the Lions never trailed and were the better team throughout. Three seniors — Scott Bruner, Cody Ford and Nolan Dunnigan — scored hat-tricks and the Lions finished the dream season 19-0. They are 53-4 over the last three years.
"Since my freshman year, we've gone up throughout the playoffs. ... This year we were able to finish it out undefeated and win in the state finals, so it feels great," Ford said. "I'm proud of all the seniors. We've all grown up together and we all clicked together. The hard work in the offseason and just being together for years ... We're connected together."
Throughout the whole season, Howard never took a game off. They outscored opponents 322-92, and never allowed more than seven goals in any game while scoring in double-digits in all but one. The never-let-up approach started exactly one year ago when the Lions lost to South River, 9-6, in the state championship game.
"After losing last year in the state championship, there was a little chip on our shoulder and we came out every game with a championship mentality," said senior Eric Schroeder. "That's how we scored so many goals, and our defense didn't let in a whole lot. Every single game, we treated it like a championship game. We've got some great players — great defense, great offense — and that just carried us through the season."
Howard jumped on the board first as Ford scored twice in the first 1:20 of the game, and Dunnigan got one of his own a little over a minute later to put the Lions up, 3-0.
"We wanted to get a few early to put some doubt in the mind of the opponent," Creighton said. "I think the guys did a great job of finishing their early opportunities and that kind of carried forward for us the rest of the game."
Churchill answered with one, but Howard finished the first quarter scoring three more as Schroeder, Dunnigan and senior Brad Zulick found the net to put the Lions up 6-1 after one quarter.
The start of the second quarter was no different as Bruner scored his first within the first minute of the period. Junior Alex Stephanos put one in from the outside a couple minutes later to make it 8-1 before the two teams traded goals before halftime.
"Our offense has really clicked all year. Just good ball movement, and being patient with the ball, but pushing when we have the opportunity," Bruner said. "It really comes from the defense and midfield first to push it up field."
Though the offense gets the majority of the credit, junior goalie Collin McClelland made several huge saves during a stretch where Churchill controlled the ball midway through the second quarter and late in the game, and senior Ryan Land won eight of 13 first-half face-offs. Howard also was a perfect seven for seven on clears before the break.
"I was able to get into a groove early. We were forcing bad shots and our defense was playing out of its mind," McClelland said. "I was able to make a few early saves and get into it and get a little bit of confidence."
"We talked a lot to the defense before the game about a lack of respect for our defense," Creighton said. "It hasn't been talked about much all season, and that's amazing for a team that's given up less than four goals a game that our defense isn't talked about and our goalie isn't talked about. But they're pretty darn good. I think tonight was a statement for them."
The Lions started the second half just as they did in the first. Bruner scored his second 41 seconds after the break, and Ford notched his fourth a little over a minute later. Churchill freshman Reed Moshyedi scored to stop a three-goal run, but Schroeder, Dunnigan and Bruner found the net late in the third quarter to put Howard up, 14-3.
Churchill scored the final three goals of the game.
Coming into the contest, the Lions knew it would need to limit chances from Churchill senior Louis Dubick, who is the all-time points leader in state history and a University of Maryland commit.
"He's a hell of a player ... Obviously you want to shut him down, but most teams, you're not going to be able to completely shut him down," Creighton said. "To hold him to one goal, that's about as close as you can get to shutting somebody down."
It was the final game for 15 seniors, but the run came to a perfect end. The year-round hard work proved to be worth every drop of sweat.
"It's definitely a very special season. I've never felt anything like it before. But like coach said, it's a lot of hard work, and nothing is given to you right away," Bruner said. "You have to go out and earn it, so throughout the offseason we really busted our butts, and I'm really proud of our team for that. It really showed tonight."
Howard 14, Churchill 6
Goals: Ho – Cody Ford 4, Scott Bruner 3, Nolan Dunnigan 3, Eric Schroeder 2, Brad Zulick 1, Alex Stephanos 1; C – Reed Moshyedi 3, Louis Dubick 1, Nick Muscarella 1, Ryan Sorkin 1
Assists: Ho – Zulick 4, Bruner 1, Stephanos 1; C – Derek Altobello 2, Marshall Rhodes 1
Saves: Ho – Collin McClelland 16, C – Markus Hurd 12
Halftime: 9-2, Howard