PIAA boys lacrosse season preview 2024-25: Meet the top 9 players to watch in Butler County
Mars has been the premier boys lacrosse program for some time not just in WPIAL Class 2A, but the western side of Pennsylvania. The Planets have made four consecutive PIAA title games, taking the crown home in 2022.
Seneca Valley and Butler compete in the highest classification in the WPIAL and regularly reach the playoffs.
Some star players have moved on. The Golden Tornado are replacing Ayden Davis (Maryland Baltimore County), and Mars has to make up for the loss of Enzo Grieco (Penn State).
Take a look at the Butler County players to watch as the campaign progresses, listed alphabetically. For Mars — and maybe others — the season might run into early summer.
A Raiders captain, Adams is part of the reason his team has big expectations for this season. He’s been a regular for Seneca Valley since he was a sophomore and has racked up 174 career points, including 112 goals. Adams is a captain who holds his teammates accountable, as well.
As a starter, Bowser has been on the field for the Planets’ deep state playoff runs each of the past three seasons. He was a two-time captain for Mars’ hockey team, which made the PIHL Penguins Cup final this year.
Bowser is a Maryville commit who figures to be an important part of the Planets’ attack this go-round.
Garner entered this season having been a large part of the Raiders’ offense for the past two seasons. He’s found the back of the net 171 times and assisted on another 63 goals. Raiders coach David Hall expects him to continue his offensive success as part of a high-scoring attack throughout this spring.
The Yellowjackets made the playoffs for the first time in their history last season, coach Devin Wolford said. Mellish is a lead-by-example type who Freeport depends on to guard the opposition’s best player.
“He basically shuts them down any time he’s locked in on them,” Wolford said.
Much like his fellow captain, Bowser, Mueller knows what it takes to earn hardware. The Planets’ defense revolves around him, and he’ll be headed to John Carroll to play at the next level.
Coach Bob Marcoux will lean on the stalwart as Mars aims to continue its run of WPIAL dominance.
Ross, a quarterback on the gridiron for the Yellowjackets, brings a similar leadership skillset to his other sport.
“He’s a very big motivator,” Wolford said. “He gets the guys working hard in practice, especially when it’s a day that no one wants to work hard.”
Wolford hopes Ross’ teammates adopt his mentality.
Schlegel is one of two seniors on a sophomore-laden team. He'll continue his lacrosse career at Westminster after one last go-round with the Knights. Schlegel is comfortable working in the crease and was selected as a Knoch team captain.
"For us to have success, we're going to need him to contribute," first-year Knights coach Bryan McClure said.
Butler coach Justin Steiner said Simko plays close defense in front of third-year starting goalie Max Weiland. He also supports a young but talented offense.
"I always knew he was an athlete," Steiner said. "He's just been plagued with injuries and stuff like that, so I haven't really got a full season out of him. ... When he's 100%, he's the guy to really watch."
Weiland started every game of his sophomore season, saving 56% of the shots fired his way in the Golden Tornado net. Through six games this campaign, Weiland “has been hovering around 60% (save percentage) each game,” Steiner said.
Weiland is also a captain for Butler.
