January will mark the start of lacrosse in Katy and Houston.

Taylor Lacrosse club will enter its sixth season as a strong contender within the Texas High School Lacrosse League, South District, Division II thirteen teams.

 
With six returning starters, and a strong supporting bench of seniors, expectations are running high. Taylor Lacrosse has used the preseason tournament season to fine tune its offensive and defensive packages.

“We expect Cy-Fair and Stratford-Westchester to be our toughest competition,” assistant coach Charlie Collins said. “This year we have added five Division I level teams to our schedule to really challenge our boys and get us ready to handle any team within our division.”

The Taylor Lacrosse Club continues to look for boys interested playing this fast-paced sport, especially freshmen and sophomore boys for the junior varsity roster. Interested players can call (281) 347-2192 or (281) 492-6576 for more information, or visit www.taylorlacrosse.com.

After a successful 2007 season, lacrosse is poised to explode in the Katy area. Two new club teams – the West Houston Cannons junior high teams and Katy Lacrosse Club’s high school team – have joined the growth.

A Seven Lakes club has preparations underway to enter the league in 2009.

Recently “West Side Lacrosse” released its 2008 Houston-area preview section. To view team-by-team previews for every team in the Texas High School Lacrosse League, visit www.westsidelax.com. Below is a copy of their review of South District, Division II and where the Katy teams are predicted to finish. Special thanks to West Side Lacrosse for allowing The Athlete's Connection to run their previews:

Division II
Cy-Fair High School
Coach: Chris Wilke
2007 Record: 16-4
2007 Texas Ranking: 9
Three Players To Watch: Michael Mann (Middie), Travis Tabb (Attack), Trey McKay (Attack)

The Skinny: Defending Texas High School Lacrosse League Division II state champion Cy-Fair will stay in the state's lower-tier division, despite clearly having enough talent to move into Division I.

The Ironmen graduated seven seniors and return half their starting lineup, including four likely future NCAA players. On top of that, Cy-Fair posted a nine-goal win last season against Division I Lamar early in the 2007 season. But team spokesman Robert Tabb said Cy-Fair doesn't yet meet the requirements to become a Division I program.

"One of the reasons is we don't have school support," Tabb said. "A prerequisite to playing Division I in the South District is having school support."

Cy-Fair will be the clear-cut favorite to win both the Houston city title and Division II state championship this season. The Ironmen will be led by senior middie Mann, senior attackmen Travis Tabb and McKay, and senior middie Taylor Brooks.

Mann, an NCAA prospect, was the MVP in last season's state playoffs, Robert Tabb said. Travis Tabb has committed to play NCAA Division I lacrosse at Army, and McKay has a strong outside shot and is a good feeder. Brooks can shoot, dodge and feed, Robert Tabb said. Both McKay and Brooks are also NCAA prospects.

"We want to defend our state championship and try to win two in a row," Robert Tabb said. "We've got a good offense coming back, and we've got a good defense. We just want to concentrate on consistency."

Predicted League Finish: First.

Taylor High School
Coach: Michael Cavanagh
2007 Record: 9-6
Three Players To Watch: Jon Larsen (Middie), Craig Richardson (Middie), Zach Fry (Attack)
The Skinny: With six returning starters and a key transfer coming in from the East Coast, expectations are running high this season at Taylor.

The Mustangs bring back two of three first-line middies and two of three starting defensemen, along with their goalie and one attacker.

"We want to go deep into the playoffs," said Cavanagh, who is entering his sixth season. "We have some big and fast midfielders this year."

Taylor will be led by senior middie Jon Larsen, senior middie Craig Richardson and junior attackman Zach Fry.

Larsen, who is also a starting strong safety on the football team, is a fast player who has committed to play NCAA Division III lacrosse at SavannahCollege of Art & Design.

He'll be joined by Richardson, a Connecticut native who has been playing the sport for seven years and is an NCAA prospect. Fry is a strong finisher who has a lot of experience.

"We need to improve our overall defense and our transition game," Cavanagh said. "We lost a couple games last year because of transition on the offensive and defensive end, which was my fault."

Predicted League Finish: Second.

Stratford-Westchester
Coach: Matt Carr
2007 Record: 14-5
Three Players To Watch: Grant Williams (Goalie), Nghia Tran (Middie), Walker Colt (Attack)
The Skinny: The Spartans open defense of their 2007 Division II Houston city title with four returning starters after graduating 18 seniors.

Stratford-Westchester will have two starters coming back on attack, one on defense and the starting goalie. In the midfield, two of six players return from the top two lines.

"I think we're going to be better than rebuilding, but I don't know if we'll be as good as we became last year," said Carr, whose team advanced to the THSLL Division II semifinals. "I expect us to make the playoffs."The Spartans will be led by senior goalie Grant Williams, senior middie Nghia Tran and senior attacker Walker Colt.

Carr described Williams as an NCAA Division I prospect who is calm in the cage an  never gets rattled. Tran is the team's top returning middie. He is fast, never gets tired, plays well with both hands and is a ground-ball machine, Carr said.

Colt is a strong dodger and a good feeder who will need to run the offense this season.

"We definitely expect to defend our city title," Carr said. "We should be in the playoffs. How far we get in the playoffs, I don't know."

Predicted League Finish: Third.

Klein High School
Coach: Tim Leyden
2007 Record: 6-7
Three Players To Watch: Matt Stockinger (Defenseman), Chris Stockinger (Defenseman), Robert Alvarado (Middie)
The Skinny: With six returning starters, including the entire defensive unit, the BearKats hope to bounce back from a down season.

Klein brings back all three of its starting defenders and its goalie, as well as an attackman and one first-line middie. Klein also will benefit from its rival, Klein Oak, folding its program. Former Klein Oak players will now play for Klein.

"I expect to be better," said Leyden, who is entering his eighth season. "One reason is the return of our starting goalie (from injury). Two, we have a more experienced defense this year that knows the system. I think we'll be very good on the defensive end."

Klein will be led by twin brothers Matt and Chris Stockinger, both sophomore defensemen. Leyden said the twins' physical strength is their best attribute. The Stockingers will be joined by senior Robert Alvarado, who played attack last season and will likely transition to the midfield in 2008, Leyden said.

"Our goal is to get eight wins, at least," Leyden said. "We need to stay off the injury list. If we can do that, I think we'll be a contender."

Predicted League Finish: Fourth.

Memorial High School
Coach: Mike Newton
2007 Record: 7-8
Three Players To Watch: Junji Wiener (Middie), Jonathan Heidt (Middie), David Berry (Defenseman)
The Skinny: Memorial returns four starters from its 2007 team that finished 7-6 against Division II opponents and nearly pulled off an upset of a Division I team when it only lost by two goals against Strake Jesuit.

This year's team will have to replace a lot of senior leadership, however, as 13 seniors graduated. Six were starters.

"We will improve slowly throughout the season, as younger players learn how to replace the 13 seniors we lost," said Newton, who is entering his second season at the school. "We will have much more of a balanced attack this year."

The Mustangs should be at their best on defense, where all three starters will be back. In the midfield, one starter returns and Memorial must replace its entire starting attack and its starting goalie.

Memorial will be led by junior middie Junji Wiener, senior middie Jonathan Heidt and junior defenseman David Berry.

"We will move the ball around much better this year," Newton said. "Our concern at the moment is at the goalie position, where we have no goalie with varsity experience."

Predicted League Finish: Fifth.

Fort Bend
Coach: Rusty Genson
2007 Record: 7-7
Three Players To Watch: John Messer (Defenseman), Ben Jacob  (Goalie),Ben Peacock (Middie)

The Skinny: Things are looking positive so far at Fort Bend, which brings back seven starters from a team that increased its win total from five toseven games last season.

Fort Bend returns its entire starting defensive unit, including its starting goalie, and four of six middies from the top two lines. Offense could be a question mark, however, with only one starting attacker coming back. 

"I have some reservations about the offense, but I think we'll have a strong defense," said Genson, who is entering his 10th season. "I'd like to think we'll do better than we did last year."

Fort Bend will be led by senior defenseman John Messer, senior goalie BenJacob and senior middie Ben Peacock.

Genson described Messer as an NCAA Division III prospect with strong stickskills and positioning. Jacob has started in the cage since his sophomore season, and he is competent at clearing and ball stopping, Genson said.
Peacock is a versatile player who at one time or another last season played every position on the field, including goalie.

"I think our primary goal would be to make the playoffs," Genson said. "We're going to have to have some of the younger players step up as offensive threats."

Predicted League Finish: Sixth.

Clear Lake High School
Coach: John Furdon
2007 Record: 7-6
Three Players To Watch: A.J. Jones (Defenseman), Nathan Poon (Middie), Bryant Payne (Defenseman)
The Skinny: There's a new man in charge at Clear Lake, where Furdon has taken over the head coaching responsibilities from Jim Perouty.

Furdon inherits a team that is in rebuilding mode, having graduated team
leaders Joey Latimer and Matt Braud and a host of supporting players. In all, six starters graduated, and Clear Lake returns two starters on attack and two on defense. No starting middies will be back.

Clear Lake will be led by senior defenseman A.J. Jones, senior middie Nathan Poon and senior defenseman Bryant Payne. Other key contributors in the midfield will be Louis Nicolosi and Cody Cumba.

On attack, Steve Valo, Patrick Furdon and Ryan Cooper combined for 42 goals and 16 assists last season.

"We lack a lot of experience," John Furdon said. "None of our goalies have any varsity experience, and the first-year coach is unproven. Our defense should be sound, (but) we will struggle scoring."

Predicted League Finish: Seventh.

Cinco Ranch High School
Coach: Peter Marin
2007 Record: 6-7
Three Players To Watch: Jacob McPherson (Attack), Dustin O'Donnell (Defenseman), Greg Kremen (Middie/Defenseman)
The Skinny: Cinco Ranch hopes to continue its improved play under second-year head coach Marin, who led the team to a near-.500 season in 2007 in his first season at the helm. Cinco Ranch graduated six starters and anticipates four will return for the 2008 season.

"We will work hard to put guys in the right places and give them the tools to be successful," Marin said. "We will be led by a small core of returning players with huge hearts and great attitudes."

Cinco Ranch will be led by senior attackman Jacob McPherson, senior defenseman Dustin "Irish" O'Donnell, junior middie-defenseman Greg Kremen and sophomore attack-middie Carson Sublett.

Marin described McPherson as a determined player who constantly works to improve his game. O'Donnell has a strong stick check and will be the team's defensive leader this season. McPherson and O'Donnell are expected to be the team's only two seniors.

"Senior leadership is always a key to success," Marin said. "Fortunately, they both are very competitive and experienced. We will ask a lot of them, and their leadership will be a big factor in determining our success."

Kremen is Cinco Ranch's most athletic player and will be asked to switch to short-stick middie from a long-stick middie, Marin said. Sublett has the tools to become a top scoring threat, Marin said.

"Expectations for the 2008 season are higher than ever," Marin said. "As a team, we made progress last year. We will be tested as a team to see whether we are committed to the system and philosophy of the coaching staff."

Predicted League Finish: Eighth.

Westside High School
Coach: Roy Onstott
2007 Record: 4-7
Three Players To Watch: Mason Onstott (Middie), Cameron Breland (Middie), Michael Dufour (Defenseman)
The Skinny: This will be a rebuilding year at Westside, which graduated 12
seniors and brings back just two starters from last year's team.

Westside also will have a new head coach in place, although it's uncertain who he will be once this season starts. Onstott has taken over for Carl Schultheis on an interim basis. Onstott said that Westside has several challenges to overcome this season.

"We've had a hard time recruiting players, the school has been against us, wanting us to dissolve the team, and we don't have a coach," Onstott said. "We're going to do everything we can to build a team, but it's going to be a struggle."

Westside will be led by senior middie Mason Onstott, senior middie Cameron Breland, senior defenseman Michael Dufour and senior goalie Jamie Fernandez.

Mason Onstott is tough on ground balls and has a good shot, Breland has a lot of endurance and is a good shooter, Dufour is an experienced player who is aggressive and Fernandez is a strong ball stopper, Roy Onstott said.

"We're going to just practice on the fundamentals, concentrate on playing as a team and win as many games as we can," Onstott said. "We're going to try and make it fun to play lacrosse. Last year's coach was very negative, and we're going to try and get away from that. We're going to try and build the team back up and go forward."

Predicted League Finish: Ninth.

Bellaire High School
Coach: Greg Pryor
2007 Record: 2-11
The Skinny: The Cardinals posted its two wins last season, one over a Klein Oak team that since has folded and the other over a St. Thomas team that is frequently at or near the bottom of the standings.

Other than those victories, Bellaire was competitive in defeat. The Cardinals lost four games by three goals or less, and Bellaire lost three more games in which it scored at least 10 goals.

Bellaire will need to work on its defense if it hopes to improve this season after allowing an average of 11.4 goals per game last season. Bellaire conceded double-digit goals in nine of its 13 games in 2007. The Cardinals were just 2-3 last year in games in which they scored at least 10 goals. 

Pryor did not return numerous voicemail messages and e-mails seeking comment for this preview.
Predicted League Finish: 10th.

St. Thomas High School
Coach: Anthony Quinn
2007 Record: 1-12
Player To Watch: Sam Payne (Attack)
The Skinny: There is a new hope at St. Thomas, where first-year head coach Quinn promised he would lead the Eagles away from their position as perennial league doormat.

Quinn, who replaced Tom Stell, said that when he took over most of the players didn't know proper lax terminology and were shaky on the rules. Proclaiming it "a new day for St. Thomas lacrosse," Quinn believes he can turn the team around in a hurry.

"Seeing as how over the past three years the program is 4-40, I would like to win at least eight games this year and hopefully go to the city playoffs," Quinn said. "I don't foresee it being a dramatic turnaround. I think that the kids learning the game and promoting practice will set us forward immediately."

St. Thomas will be led by senior attackman Sam Payne, who Quinn described as an excellent leader.

"We need a lot of work," Quinn said. "It's not just a coaching position, it's a reorganization position. We are starting from scratch." Predicted League Finish: 11th.

Friendswood High School
Coach: Steve Kirk
2007 Record: 2-6 (JV)
Three Players To Watch: Jon Kirk (Attack), Noah Niday (Middie), Zach Holloway (Goalie)

The Skinny: Friendswood enters its first year of varsity lacrosse after fielding a JV team for the first time last season. And like most first-year varsity programs, Friendswood is expected to go through some bumpy times.

"Hopefully, we'll be competitive," Steve Kirk said. "Obviously, we're not going to win the division title. Realistically, if we can win two or three games, we'd be very satisfied."

Friendswood will be led by junior attackman Jon Kirk, senior middie Noah Niday and senior goalie Zach Holloway.

Jon Kirk was named the team's MVP last season. Steve Kirk described him as a strong finisher who can take it to the cage.

Niday is the team's most enthusiastic player and has "nothing but raw energy," Steve Kirk said. Holloway is a fearless goalie with good technique.

"The most basic goal we have is to get our first varsity win," Steve Kirk said.

Predicted League Finish: 12th.

Kingwood High School (II)
The Skinny: Kingwood will field a second varsity team for the first time this  season that will compete at the Division II level. The players who comprise the team will be those cut from the school's Division I outfit and will be determined later in the preseason.

Predicted League Finish: 13th.

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