The boys lacrosse season is underway for the private schools and the public schools will begin play Wednesday, so it’s time to start rolling out the projections for this season’s top teams.
The Baltimore Sun will be posting the area’s preseason No. 1 team later on Saturday. The entire Top 15 poll, along with the top players to watch, will be available online Sunday morning and the entire preview package will be in Sunday’s print edition of The Sun.
Here’s a look at No. 2 McDonogh:
Coach: Andy Hilgartner
Last season: 17-4, No. 2
Postseason: MIAA A final
Outlook: A big and gifted senior class — 18 players in all — has the Eagles in position to bring home the program’s second championship in three seasons. They have game changers all over the field with long pole midfielder BJ Farrare, defenseman Chris Smith, and midfielder Jack Simmons all seniors and All-Metro selections last season. That’s only the beginning for the Eagles, who return eight starters and get back Andrew Hurdle from injury. Liam Powderly, Griffin Catlett, Jack Sweeney, Jackson Cummings and Matt Hilgartner can all provide offense, which adds up to an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses. Gable Braun can dominate on faceoffs, and goalie Evan Long is solid. The Eagles, who have shown they can graduate prominent players and maintain success, are set up to do the same this season.