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Heritage doing 'work'
The Heritage Pride boys' lacrosse team has adopted the slogan “Do Work” for the 2008 season.
“I said it during the first couple days of practice,” Pride coach Jason “Choppy” Burke said. “There is always one random quote that I say that will stick. I told the guys, 'When it's all said and done, just do work.'”
The Pride's blistering start this season is a strong indicator that the message has been received loud and clear.
Heritage improved to 5-0 with an impressive 21-2 victory over Leesburg rival Loudoun County on April 7.
“It's basically what it says,” senior Dean Stambules said of the slogan. “Just go out there and take care of your responsibility, and the guy next to you will take care of theirs. We trust each other to get the job done.”
Stambules, one of 18 seniors on the Pride's roster, netted five goals and dished out five assists in Monday's win despite sitting out most of the second half with the game well in hand.
Cameron Carey, Chris Rossie, Chris Broderick, Nick Cadwell, Russell East, Tyler Blevins, Bryan McCarthy, Ryan Gallagher and Evan Hanchett also found the back of the net as 10 different players scored for Heritage.
“We have six weapons on offense,” Stambules said. “Everyone is a threat, the guys off the bench too. We are pretty deep.”
Senior Nathan Fletcher scored a goal and assisted on Peyton Stone's tally for the Raiders.
After the Pride set a school record with 15 wins and defeated Dulles District stalwart Broad Run in the Dulles tournament championship game in 2007, they have outscored five opponents, 85-25, this season.
Along with a high-powered offense, Heritage is surrendering just five goals a game. Burke credited the play of senior defenders Kyle Startsman, Andrew Hess and Don Schaefer, along with goalie Tyler Barton.
Despite the strong start and last year's breakthrough win over Broad Run, there is a sense among Heritage players that the Spartans still are receiving most of the accolades when it comes to Dulles District boys' lacrosse.
“This year, we are flying under the radar. We are not really getting any publicity,” Rossie said. “We really like that. Broad Run is all I've been reading about for the past month or so. I'm happy about that.”
The Spartans (5-0) also are off to a great start this spring. The teams will square off in their lone regular season meeting April 28 at Broad Run.
“We are looking forward to April 28,” Stambules said. “It's going to be a big day for both teams. We hope to have a lot on the line that day.”
Burke readily admitted the Broad Run game is circled on his calendar, but said his squad has several tough opponents, including Briar Woods and Dominion, to play before that game surfaces.
The Pride are counting heavily on senior leadership to carry them this season. Several seniors have played together since the seventh grade, most at the same positions.
“We have 18 of us who really need this as our last time in high school,” Rossie said. “We want to make one last final run for it.”
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