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No. 2-seeded Highland boys lacrosse team in hot pursuit of the ultimate state glory
The Highland School Hawks don’t seem to put much stock in idioms like, “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.”
Even as they ate that very dessert as part of a Senior Day celebration Tuesday, they talked about taking the cake this weekend, about finally winning the boys lacrosse state tournament.
The second-seeded Hawks took the first step towards that end by beating No. 7 Hampton Roads Academy, 18-5, in the quarterfinals of the 2009 VIS Division II state tournament Tuesday at Highland. They were scheduled to host No. 3 Nansemond-Suffolk in the semifinals Thursday, and with a victory would play in Saturday’s final against the winner of another semifinal game between No. 1 Virginia Episcopal School and No. 5 Benedictine.
“We’ve failed to get it done in the past, but we’re going to try and get it done this year,” senior attackman Will Garrett said of winning a state title. “This is probably the best team we’ve had in the last four years, so we know we have the ability to do it.”
The Hawks lost the 2008 state final game to Covenant School, 10-4. That marked sixth consecutive season in which Highland was the state runner-up.
“We’re trying to break the streak,” junior attackman Brendon McCann said, adding that the Hawks don’t often discuss the losing streak. “But it’s on a lot of minds. We’re pretty aware of the fact.”
The 2009 Hawks may have the best chance to win a championship since coach Kevin Helmick took over the team five years ago. Highland has a 74-25 record under Helmick after improving to 14-4 this season with Tuesday’s win.
“This is my 15th year of coaching and this is probably the most fun I’ve had with a group of kids and probably the best all-around team,” Helmick said. “Top-to-bottom this is the best. It’s been a lot of fun working with them.”
Virginia Episcopal School will pose a challenge to Highland, though, should both teams advance to the state final. VES beat the Hawks, 11-7, in Lynchburg on April 30.
“It would have been nice to beat VES in the regular season, but it may turn out to be better this way,” Helmick said. “If we’re lucky enough to get past Nansemond-Suffix, we won’t take VES lightly.”
Frequent penalties gave VES man-advantage opportunities in that regular season meeting, so the Hawks will have to improve in that area if they hope to win a rematch...
See the Friday print edition of the Fauquier Weekend for the complete story.
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