Boys Lacrosse Preview: With returning champs, Central League daunting again

Competition in the Central League isn’t a novel phenomenon, and it’s hardly idle chatter when coaches offer preseason assessments about the league’s strength and depth being as prevalent as ever. Consider that last year, the title was split between Garnet Valley and Penncrest. Neither survived the District One tournament (won by Springfield) to qualify for the PIAA tournament (won by Radnor), which featured a fifth Central League squad, Conestoga. That elite oligarchy won’t abate this season.

Springfield loses its biggest attacking piece, three-time All-Delco Lucas Spence. But the spine of the team remains intact. As always the Cougars will be a bear to score against, with long-stick midfielder Zac Methlie, defender Pat Smyth and goalie James Spence all back. Sophomore Kyle long will orchestrate the offense from midfield, while Mike Gerzabek (44 goals last year) assumes Lucas Spence’s role as primary sniper. Mike Vent and Joey DeBernardi will occupy larger roles.

Co-champs Penncrest looks different this season thanks to a wealth of experience on the defensive end. The backline of Ryan Granger, Ryan Schultz and Zack Kaut that contributed to the state championship in 2014 is back for one more go-round in front of goalie Steve Nolan. Zach Granger is capable of contributing defensively, while Zach Groses’s defensive aptitude in midfield is also notable.

That base is fortuitous given the losses in attack, though the cupboard is hardly bare. All-Delco Ryan Kinnard (46 goals, 23 assists) and leading scorer Alex Bonnett (56, 23) will fuel the offense, Kinnard providing two-way play in midfield. But identifying the secondary scorers could take time. Sophomores Matt Gress and Max Daugherty and junior Jack Kirchoff will get chances. Midfielders like Joe Quintiliano, Tom Parson, Quin McIntyre and Jon Batipps could also bolster the attacking numbers.

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