PEABODY — It’s tough when a promising season comes to a sudden end as the Bishop Fenwick boys lacrosse team’s did three weeks ago in the first round of the Division 3 North state tournament. Fenwick won a program-high 12 games during the regular season and reached its goal of hosting a tournament game, but fell to Catholic Central League rival St. Mary’s, 13-12, in an overtime thriller.
The positive, however, is that Fenwick has plenty to look forward to as the Crusaders build their program into a tournament mainstay. Things are looking good for Fenwick boys lacrosse and tonight’s Seventh Agganis Boys Lacrosse All-Star Game (7 p.m.) is proof that Fenwick’s moving in the right direction.
A trio of Crusaders will play the final game of their high school careers, and their last tilt as teammates, in long-stick midfielder Tyler Layton, defenseman Chris Russell and faceoff man Brandon Kenney. It’ll also be the last game the three recent Fenwick graduates play for Crusaders head coach Steve Driscoll, who’ll direct the South all-star squad.
“I’m really excited,” Driscoll said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. These three were sophomores when I started coaching at Fenwick. They bought into our culture change. Brandon was a captain and understood that responsibility. Tyler has been an all-star player for me for three years. Chris was the leader of our defense this year. I’m excited to coach them one more time.”
Driscoll and his three senior stars have texted back and forth through the past week in anticipation of tonight’s game. The feeling of excitement to take the field one last time, Driscoll said, is mutual among all three.
“I’ve been texting with Brandon and he’s really excited,” Driscoll said. “He’s going to Wheaton to play college lacrosse. Especially with the way the season ended, they’re all excited to get out there again. They’re close buddies too, so being able to do this one more time is something special for them.”
Fenwick’s success this past spring, which saw the Crusaders post their winningest season, wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts brought by the senior class. Aside from reaching its goal of hosting a state tournament game, the senior unit provided a blueprint for the underclassmen to follow in their footsteps and take things further next season.
“They really took this year and wanted to make sure we hosted a playoff game, that was our goal,” Driscoll said. “They got us that home game. We had our best season in program history. Having Brandon on the faceoffs was huge for us. Tyler started for three years. Chris helped us build a tough defense. They really set the tone and influenced the juniors and sophomores as to what we expect at Fenwick lacrosse.”
Tonight’s game marks the second time Driscoll has coached the Agganis. On the other sideline, Swampscott’s Todd Pierce, who stepped down as coach of the Big Blue last week, will coach the North all-stars. Driscoll and Pierce have developed a friendship as coaches over recent years.
“I first met Todd when I was the JV coach at Manchester-Essex,” Driscoll said. “When I first got the job at Fenwick he was one of the first to reach out and congratulate me. He has influenced me as a coach and person. He’s a great coach and definitely somebody that I’ve loved having early-season battles against. The North Shore will sorely miss his coaching abilities on the sidelines.
“I coached the Agganis game in 2016, my first year at Fenwick,” Driscoll added. “I know how special the football games have been. I think it’s really cool that we get to bring this to the lacrosse game. I’m thankful to Paul Halloran for allowing me to coach. It’s an honor and I’m excited to get back out there.”
The boys lacrosse all-star game follows the Seventh Agganis Girls Lacrosse All-Star Game, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be played at Manning Field.
