The Langley boys’ lacrosse program has won four consecutive state championships. Photo by Craig Sterbutzel.
McLean — Earl Brewer, who enters his 19th season as head coach of the Langley boys’ lacrosse program, has led the Saxons to four consecutive state championships.
Brewer, whose Saxons have also captured two region crowns and nine district titles under his guidance, prefers a positive approach to coaching and likes to keep in perspective that real pressure is faced by parents paying a mortgage rather than students playing a game. That being said, Brewer knows anything short of a fifth straight state title would result in some unhappy campers.
“I think the expectations are going to be if we don’t win a state championship, people are going to be disappointed—the fan base, the student body, the players themselves,” Brewer said. “We have some seniors on this team that have been on three straight state championship teams. For them, to leave the legacy not to win it I think would be sad for them.”
Senior captains Brad Dotson, Robby Byrne and Luke Salzer were part of the last three Langley state championship teams. Byrne said past success creates motivation.
“I don’t think it puts more pressure (on the team), it just makes us want to continue that legacy,” he said. “It gets the young kids going, gives them something to work toward.”
Byrne, at 6-foot-3, and Dotson, who stands 6-foot-6, are part of a physical Saxon defense which figures to be the strength of the team. Dotson was selected first-team All-Liberty District and first-team All-Northern Region last season and will play lacrosse at Bucknell University. Senior Tyler Kovacs (6-3) and junior Hunter Yates (6-0) will also be contributors as defensemen. Senior Clay Kennedy is the Saxons’ goalkeeper.
“My defense is very big,” Brewer said. “… They look like a college team when you see them on the field. And they’re talented too—they’re not just big lummoxes. They can run, they can dodge and shoot, themselves. They play great one-on-one [and] they’re all smart.”
“I think the expectations are going to be if we don’t win a state championship, people are going to be disappointed—the fan base, the student body, the players themselves.”
—Langley boys’ lacrosse coach Earl Brewer
Salzer, a midfielder, had 25 goals and 46 assists last season. He will play collegiately at the University of Delaware.
“He’s got the whole package,” Brewer said. “We call him an old-school middie because he can play middie, he can play defense and offense, he runs the field [and] he’s a tough guy, too.”
Seniors Brian Ochoa and Jack Reilly will also contribute as midfielders.
Junior attackman J.T. Meyer returns for his third season on the varsity and is one of the Saxons’ top offensive threats. However, Meyer suffered a knee injury prior to the season and could miss some time. Junior Billy Orme, seniors Nick Guglielmo and Patrick Kearney, and sophomore Weston Simonides will also look to contribute.
Langley opens the season with a home game at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 15, against Dominion—the Saxons’ first test in their quest for a fifth consecutive state championship.
“We’re out here having fun and all,” Dotson said, “but at the end of the day, we’re here to get business done.”