The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The boys lacrosse team returns eight experienced players to their squad this season including seniors Connor Martin and Titan Kroytz, juniors Gaven Henry, Eli Johnson, Gavin Christian, Riley Sellers, Ricky Huffman, Wyatt Maffey, Oscar Rhett and Austin Ekern, and sophomores Adam Maddox-Castle, Mason Sellers, Gus Patton, Clayton Heuberger, Hayden Kunz, Henry Rard, Bodie Dachtler, Ryan Kissinger, and Clayton Craig.

Martin is a team captain for the Outlaws and a great all-around player who leads by example and will play at both attack and in the middle. Kroytz is also a team captain and will play defense. Coach Paul Patton said that Titan has a very tactical defensive understanding of the game.

Henry, Johnson, Christian and Maddox-Castle will all play attack. Gaven is a hard-working and self-motivated player who always has a positive attitude. Eli is capable of making great plays for the Outlaws this year, and Gavin always plays hard and is a determined competitor. Adam plays hard all the time, both with and without the ball.

Riley Sellers, Huffman, Maffey, Mason Sellers, Gus Patton, Clayton Heuberger, and Hayden Kunz are all midfielders. Riley does a great job on the face-off, getting ground balls, and running the field. Ricky also runs the field well and is a good finisher. Wyatt is a very good defensive middle and is great at getting ground balls. Mason is a relentless competitor and a tough player on face-off. Gus has a great understanding of the game, sees the field well, and makes good decisions. Clayton is a very hard worker and a solid all-around player, and Hayden always gives his full effort and plays hard.

Rhett plays defense and is an experienced defender and leader for the Outlaws. Rard and Dachtler will also play defense. Henry is a strong defender and tough competitor, and according to Patton, Bodie is a critical, tactical thinker and is quickly improving. Ekern is currently out with a football injury, but when he’s back will be an aggressive defender.

Several new additions will add depth to the Outlaws squad, including senior Nathaniel Alvarez (defense), junior Sean Alvarez (midfield), and freshmen Kyle Pilarski (attack), Eli Palanuk (midfield), Dominic Minnie (midfield), and Scotty Henderson (midfield).

Coach Patton said, “We have no season goals other than to get better each day. We are just happy to finally be playing after missing pretty much our whole season last year. We have a good number of returning juniors and sophomores that will be the heart of our squad under the leadership of a few key seniors and the support of the incoming freshmen.”

The Outlaws have a short six-week season and will play eight games. There will be a week of league playoffs and possibly a regional tournament.