LYNNFIELD — For most high school athletes, winning a state championship is as good as it gets.
But winning two titles? In back-to-back seasons? To add to the two more you already had the last two years?
2024 St. John’s Prep graduate Brendan Powers, a captain of the 2024 lacrosse team and Union College-commit, knows a thing or two about how that feels.
“It’s just a surreal feeling,” the Lynnfield resident said. “It was a great year with hockey and lacrosse winning two state championships and also finishing with four straight (Powers’ third straight) in lacrosse. Ending my senior year, my time at The Prep that way, was incredible.”
Powers’ fourth title came earlier this month when the Eagles defeated Needham, 17-13, in the Division 1 boys lacrosse state tournament.
“We knew that Needham was going to come out really hard and knew they had nothing to lose, so they kept on coming and gave us a run for the money,” Powers said. “We just fought to the end and it worked out.”
Powers, who notched an assist in the title game, said he relished his role as a playmaker.
“Obviously, everyone wants to score, but we have so many players who are unselfish and like to pass the ball to the kids we know will score,” he said. “I know my role and play it because, in the long run, it’s for the good of the team.”
According to Powers, much of the credit for the Prep’s (and his own individual) success belongs to head coach John Pynchon.
“Coach is the absolute man. He’s been there for me and our team since day one,” Powers said. “He has helped me become the person I am today. It’s unbelievable for this team to win four straight for him.”
Pynchon describes Powers as a skilled playmaker.
“He has great hands and vision, which allow him to create offense in multiple areas of the field. Brendan should make an immediate impact at Union,” Pynchon said. “He’s done a wonderful job for us this year as a leader. On the field, he has amazing vision – he sees the field really well and is able to be in the right spot to either make plays or feed teammates for goals.”
Powers was also a member of the Prep’s Division 1 champion hockey team, but it didn’t come easily. With one year on the junior varsity squad under his belt, Powers didn’t make the varsity team as a junior. While disappointed, he decided to stay on as a team manager and was determined to prove to the coaching staff that he deserved a spot on the team as a senior. His determination paid off this year, not only making the team, but becoming a state champion for a third time after the Eagles defeated Winchester in the championship.
“It was really tough, being cut as a junior, but I just kept working really hard and made the team,” he said. “We all knew we had something special. Everyone bought in that nobody was going to stop us.”
Powers said the season had its ups and downs – and doubts. The Eagles opened the season with a loss to Hingham, then went on a 12-game winning streak before dropping back-to-back games to Catholic Memorial and Arlington Catholic.
“We went into those games thinking we were the best team in the state, but they took it to us,” Powers said. “We definitely were questioning if we were good enough, but we stuck together and that’s what got us through to the end.”
During his junior year, Powers decided that he wanted to continue playing lacrosse in college. An honor roll student, he started “looking around” and played in several summer college showcase tournaments.
“I was getting lots of interest from coaches and it came down to Union, St. Lawrence, and Babson,” Powers said. “I visited Union in mid-July and got to meet the coaches. I knew immediately that Union was the best pick for me. I loved the school and the coaches. I think Union will push me like The Prep did. They have good people, a great staff, and a true feeling of brotherhood.”
Powers is joining a team coming off a 12-3 season.
“Two years ago, they made it to the NCAA championship game, but lost, and they are always competing for a Liberty League title,” he said.
Powers is considering a major in either economics or business with a minor in political science. He reports to the team the first week of September for offseason workouts.
Powers said his three years at The Prep (he attended Cardigan Mountain School as a freshman) made for a lifetime of memories.
“My three years at St. John’s have been amazing. I wouldn’t trade them for anything,” Powers said. “I’m very proud of both teams for winning state championships. We worked very, very hard – day in and day out. All these guys are unbelievable. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. I’m going to miss St. John’s Prep and everything it taught me.”
