Kennedy Boys Lacrosse Determined to 'Take it to the Next Level'

Kennedy High School Boys Lacrosse Coach Craig Papach has been using every available time slot and coaching tool to ready his team for the 2010 season.

In doing so, Papach is determined to get his "team to the next level."

"We've qualified for the playoffs the last two years," Papach said. "This year we want to make it out of the first round."

To meet Papach's expectations, the team will rely heavily on its senior leadership. Midfielders Mike Casson, Jared Lerman, Joe Stagliano, Dillon Engle and Jordan Goldberg will anchor the squad. In front of them, leading the fast paced and agile offense will be attackmen Chris Wright, Mike Gavigan and Kevin Reuter. Behind them, holding down the defensive assignments, will be Ross Gerlack (committed to Stevens Tech), Andrew Kruter (headed to Lebanon Valley) and Brett Lampert.

The real X-factor for this year's squad will be in the goaltending corps. Underclassmen Patrick Grillo and Alex Naftal will compete for time. Both are talented but mostly untested at the varsity level.

Their inexperience has not dampened Papach's confidence in them. In fact, it seems to have emboldened him, and the team at large. Combine this with the still stinging loss to Wantagh in the first round of last year's post season, and you have a team that's hungry - and even a little angry.

"Our junior varsity has been extremely successful the past few years," Papach said. "In one way or another, every single player in our program has been successful. This year we will take the next step."

If the team fails to advance out of the first round this year, it won't be due to lack of preparation and dedication. This past week found them running their offensive and defensive schemes indoors in the school gym due to scheduling conflicts and inclement weather.

Relentlessly upbeat and very hands on, Papach obliterates any notion that lacrosse is merely a "spring sport." For Kennedy to compete on lacrosse-crazy Long Island, they must (and do) compete and train all year long.

"We played in a winter league and had some early morning training sessions as well as after school weight training," Papach said. "Many of our players play travel or club lacrosse. In addition, we play as a team in a summer league."

All of this prepares Kennedy for a strenuous schedule, where no opponent is overlooked.

"We play eight league games and they're all very important," Papach said. "However, of note, we play Mepham (Wednesday, May 5 at Kennedy) in league and we have solid rivalries with Jericho (April 20 at Jericho) and MacArthur (Aprill 22 at MacArthur). Non league, we play in the Levittown Tournament, matching up against Island Trees first."

With Papach's guidance, senior leadership and goaltending that must rise to the occasion, the Cougars hope to find themselves in the uncharted territory of advanced post-season play come the end of May.

The Levittown Tournament begins on Thursday, March 25 at 4:15 p.m. at Island Trees High School.