A nice dilemma confronts the Jamesville-DeWitt boys lacrosse team in 2011 – namely, how to top perfection.
The Red Rams were flawless in 2010, going 21-0 and earning the state Class B championship for the second time in four years (and the third time overall) when it beat Garden City 11-5 for the crown.
From that team, head coach Jamie Archer lost offensive threats Jake Bratek, Eric DeJohn and Cam Stone, plus defensive standouts Mac Feiner and Dima Bakrukov.
However, a strong group is back, from goalie Dan DiStefano to Nick Firman on defense and, to lead the attack, Tim Edwards, Jordan Evans, Alex Hatem and Deke Burns.
For its opening assignment of the season, J-D went to Homer Friday night and used a long shutout streak in the middle stages to get away and beat the Trojans 12-6.
Both sides found success on the offensive side in the first quarter, and the Rams only led 4-3. However, over the next two periods Firman and his back-line mates clamped down, blanking Homer as DiStefano earned most of his eight saves during this time.
Edwards flourished, too, scoring five times and adding an assist. Burns stepped up with a three-goal hat trick as Evans and McLaren Brady each had one goal and one assist. Hatem and Ali Akyuz both scored, too.
One main Class B rival for the Red Rams is, of course, East Syracuse-Minoa, whom it beat in last year’s sectional semifinals. ESM began its season Saturday at home and delivered a 12-4 victory over the Fulton Red Raiders.
This one got decided early, as the Spartans steadily worked its way to a 9-1 halftime lead. By himself, Garrett Smith outscored Fulton, leading ESM as he got six goals and one assist.
In support of Smith, Sean Dooling, Emile Frigon, Jesse Perry, Jeff Koch, Nic Capriotti and Dean Squires landed one goal apiece. Dan MacDougall added an assist. Splitting time in the net, Connor McEachron and Alex Krawec made six total saves.
ESM plays its first five games at home, including three this week as New Hartford and Whitesboro visit before a Saturday showdown with Fayetteville-Manlius. J-D goes to Fulton Thursday before Saturday’s home opener against Chittenango.
