Gazette Preps 2018 boys' lacrosse preview capsules

5A

Lewis-Palmer

Coach: Dan Mullins, sixth year

Last year: 14-2 (8-0 5A Jeffco)

Returning starters: Nate Bjorstrom, sr., midfield; Kevin Eells, sr., defense; Andrew Manney, sr., attack; Garrett Rademacher, sr., midfield; Tucker Rinaldo, sr., defense; Cade Ziegler, so., attack; Garrett Ziegler, sr., attack.

Other top athletes: Paxton Crowell, so., goalie.

Outlook: The Rangers have a "very potent attack line" with all their offense returning from last season, Mullins said.

Notes: The Rangers have two brothers start on offense (the Ziegler brothers) and two start on defense (Eells brothers).

Pine Creek

Coach: Dennis Rego, third year

Last year: 8-7 (3-4 5A Jeffco)

Returning starters: Chase Gramlich, sr., midfield; Jimmy Laucirica, sr., defense; Gio Long, jr., attack; Jarod Ravetti, sr., defense; Patrick Rego, sr., LSM/defense; Shane Sullivan, sr., attack/midfield; Carter Watts, so., attack.

Other top athletes: Chris DuMosch, so., midfield; Michael Edwards, fr., FOGO; Blake Raphael, so., goalie; Peyton Wilson, so., attack/midfield.

Outlook: "We are extremely excited to see all these young guys competing for their shot on varsity," Rego said. "Most of these boys have been putting in work all year ... and it shows."

4A

Air Academy

Coach: Ethan Hilberg, first year

Last year: 10-7 (4-1 Southern)

Returning starters: Landon Baker, jr., midfield; Mark Garrett, jr., attack; Harrison Huthoefer, jr., midfield; Carter Rodny, sr., defense; Peter Steigerwald, jr., attack/midfield; Noah Thornally, jr., attack; JD Walton, sr., attack.

Other top athletes: Jonathan Flat, sr., midfield; Blake Higgins jr., LSM.

Outlook: "What excites me the most about the 2018 season is, while we had some seniors graduate in 2017, we always have players stepping up to fill the shoes of the guys before them," Hilberg said. "I have high hopes for many of our freshmen and sophomores, as well as some of the juniors to be stepping up and contributing more than they have so far."

Notes: The Kadets will not have a home venue this season because of stadium renovations.

Cheyenne Mountain

Coach: Mike Paige, 16th year

Last year: 13-6 (5-0 Southern)

Returning starters: Wiley Burkett, jr., midfield; Jack Egan, sr., attack; August Johnson, sr., midfield; Deano Johnson, jr., midfield; James LaCerte, jr., midfield; Jack Paul, sr., attack; Zach Reddish, sr., defense.

Other top athletes: Carson Bristol sr., midfield; Jorgen Case, sr., midfield; Wyatt Damon, jr., defense; Ike Eastburn, jr., attack; Liam Hybl, so., goalie; Hunter Pierce, sr., defense.

Outlook: "We are excited," Cheyenne Mountain's coach said. "We have been training hard and we have an excellent combination of players. We are talented, and with good health and continued hard work, good things are going to happen."

Notes: August Johnson will attend the Air Force Academy and play lacrosse next season.

St. Mary's

Coach: Joel Kasten, first year

Last year: 4-10 (1-4 Southern)

Returning starters: Charles Gloumeau, sr., defense/midfield; Royce Gloumeau, sr., defense/midfield; John Nieman, jr., goalie/defense/LSM; Jack Velten, sr., midfield.

Other top athletes: Joe Dunn, freshman, midfield; Logan Frisbie, fr., midfield; Brad Grissom, so., defense; Conor Lindsey, so., midfield; Luke Stockelman, fr., attack/midfield; Blake Weigel, so., attack.

Outlook: "We are a very young team, loaded with sophomores and an outstanding freshman class," Kasten said. "We will rely heavily on our seniors and juniors for their leadership both on and off the field. . We do have a tough schedule ahead of us, but I am very optimistic in thinking that our talent and enthusiasm will carry us to a successful season."

Note: Some teams did not report