Grandview boys lacrosse reached the postseason for the first time since 2009 last season. (Matt Minton)
Last season, for the first time since 2009, the Grandview Wolves made the boys lacrosse playoffs.
Though they ended their run early with a 12-8 loss to Kent Denver — who went on to lose to eventual state champion Cherry Creek in the semifinals — Grandview’s season was a turnaround from going 6-9 season in 2014.
As their new coach last season, Patrick Chapla secured a bracket spot for his squad and hopes to do so again this season.
Though Grandview graduated nine seniors, two of them key players in Parker Reed and Jack Devro, the Wolves return a strong starting line led by Dylan Lander, Josh Melton and Ryland Clay.
Perhaps the biggest change and predictably impactful addition is transfer Connor Saari. He leaves Regis Jesuit, a powerhouse lacrosse program, where he won a championship in 2014 during his freshman year, and steps onto the neighboring turf.
The junior defenseman leaves his former school on a decision to join his epileptic brother at Grandview. A normally tough transition, Chapla is alternately confident that after playing with the Wolves throughout the winter, Saari is acclimated to his new team.
Chapla attributes last years playoff appearance to his group of seniors.
“They have been absolutely unbelievable. After so many years of playing together, they have figured it out. They take it seriously and they are just great leaders,” the coach said.
This year he harps on the importance of their continued culture of hard work.
“We care, we do the required work, and we hold each other accountable,” Chapla said.
Although the Wolves did not make it out of first round play in 2015, Chapla found the reason and has the remedy.
“We simply did not play a full game in that playoff game,” he said. “We played a few of the quarters. Playing an entire game is something we really have to hone. We can’t flip flop and we simply cannot have down periods.”
In preseason rankings among coaches, Grandview comes in ninth in Class 5A
Cherry Creek, after four straight appearances in the title game finishing as runner-up, grabbed their fifth championship last year, and is the preseason No. 1 in 5A.
Aspen won its first ever title in 4A last season, and begins the year at No. 6. Dawson begins the year at No. 1.
Grandview hopes to make a deeper postseason run in a few months. The Wolves open their season Friday against Chatfield.
Boys lacrosse preview
Defending state champions:
- 5A: Cherry Creek
- 4A: Aspen
Important dates:
- Regular season begins: March 10
- Postseason begins: May 11
- State championships: May 20th, Sports Authority Stadium
Returning All-State players:
- 5A: Caleb Espinoza, Palmer, Sr. (2nd); Connor Fox, Boulder, Sr. (2nd); Keaton Komatz, Heritage, Sr. (2nd); Chad Kreuzer, Monarch, Sr. (2nd); Jake Miller, Columbine, Sr. (2nd); Joey Soran, Regis Jesuit, Jr. (2nd); Latrell Harris, Mountain Vista, Sr. (3rd); Colin Munro, Mountain Vista, Jr. (3rd); Isaac Towner, Eaglecrest, Sr. (3rd)
- 4A: Jackson Drapper, Steamboat Springs, Sr. (2nd); Gavyn Pure, Dawson School, So. (2nd); Jesse Rosenblatt, Dawson School, Sr. (2nd); Zachary Storm, Aspen, Sr. (2nd); Kyle Sudol, Dawson School, Jr. (2nd); Jake Thornally, Air Academy, Sr. (2nd); Luke Verratti, Vail Mountain, Jr. (2nd)