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Sports

Boys 2010 LAX Season Preview

If it's late winter, it can only mean thing around these parts…the sweet smell of lacrosse in the air, of course! The first game for the Blue Devils boys' varsity team is March 17 at Walt Whitman.

The Huntington Blue Devils Boys Varsity lacrosse team has built a long legacy and solid tradition, having put together a total 5 Long Island Championship teams, and more recently - winning the State Championships in 2005 and 2006. The team went on a 63 – 1 stretch through this period, their only loss during that streak coming against John Jay High School in the 2007 playoffs.  Graduating some key seniors after that year, the Blue Devils fell on hard times in 2008 and 2009, experiencing two losing seasons in a row.

After 2008, last year's focus, "was just on trying to make the playoffs," for 2009, said Boys Coach Paul McDermott. Although not making the playoffs last year, "our sites are set a little higher now, this year."

McDermott begins his 19th year as head coach of the Devils.

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The Boys team starts the pre-season with a ranking of 11 out of 22 Suffolk Division II teams. Coach likes how the team has looked throughout the off-season practice and intramural season. The team has used Sundays during the winter to practice and play intramural games at the Coastal Sports multi-sport indoor facility, in Hauppauge.

When speaking about this year's team, Coach McDermott is especially excited about his men in goal: Senior Andrew Sheerin, who was an All-Division selection last year, and Junior John McGrath.

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"We look a lot better at midfield this year, and our defense is very strong," according to McDermott.

On Midfield, look for solid play from Will Coffey, Patrick Brady, Ryan Greenhill, Patrick O'Brien, Connor Knox, Tyree Brown, Jack Cutrone, and Conner Riley on longstick.

On defense, expect great effort from junior Calvin Bollar, senior Paul Aramanza, and senior Chris McArdle. Also watch for Peter Kingston, a junior, to rotate in, and we'll also be seeing lots of Ryan Mulligan on the field.

McDermott has high expectations for junior attackman Nick Saputo, last year's Rookie of the Year in Suffolk, who Coach has designated as the key player on face-offs. This year, "he's been working harder…he's stronger, quicker. Plus, he's an all-around player."

Nick Schoen, who's headed to Haverford College in the Fall, will also start at attack. They'll be complimented by senior Jack Dever. Two junior attackmen will also see lots of playing time: Jack Castelli, and Jimmy Roselle.

What are some of the teams that in Division II that Huntington will have to contend with this year, in order to make it far into the playoffs? "Shoreham–Wading River, Comsewogue, Sayville, Rocky Point, Half Hollow Hills West…a John Glenn team that's ranked 8th . That's my son's school, he plays over there," says McDermott. 

The Blue Devils open their 2010 season with a scrimmage against cross-town Walt Whitman High School, on Wednesday, March 17th. They return home for a scrimmage Thursday, March 18th, against the Half Hollow Hills, and then begin regular-season play March 25th against Miller Place.  

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