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Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse rankings manipulated by Mother Nature in rainy start to season

jane havsy, morristown daily record
·4 min read

Thanks to Mother Nature, the New Jersey boys lacrosse season got off to a slow, soggy start. Some teams managed just one game, while others – thanks to turf fields and fabulous maintenance crews – have played as many as four.

As athletic directors rearrange their schedules, meet the latest Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse Top 10.

10. Sparta (2-1)

Last week: Unranked

The Spartans rebounded from an 11-0 opening-day loss at Ramapo with back-to-back wins against Moorestown and Vernon. Sophomore Eddie Brown has three goals and three assists. Junior Adam Texeira has won 83% of his faceoffs.

Up next: Saturday vs. Scotch Plains at Kean University, Tuesday vs. Mount Olive

9. Randolph (1-2)

Last week: No. 4

The Waterman is a challenging division, and Randolph opened the season with two even more difficult opponents outside of it: Delbarton in the NJAC-American and South Jersey Group 3 finalist Moorestown. After those losses, the Rams rebounded with an 11-3 division win against Mendham – all in four days. Junior Elliot McClendon (8g, 2a) and senior Jake Weiner (7g, 1a) lead the offense.

Up next: Thursday vs. West Morris, Saturday vs. Caldwell, Monday at Chatham, Wednesday vs. Roxbury

MO #28 Adam DeCristofaro with the ball and MA #18 Conner Rodin. Madison hosts Mount Olive in Morris County lacrosse tournament on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
MO #28 Adam DeCristofaro with the ball and MA #18 Conner Rodin. Madison hosts Mount Olive in Morris County lacrosse tournament on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

8. Mount Olive (2-2)

Last week: No. 8

Senior Adam DeCristofaro has already added 11 goals to his career total. Senior Noah Russ has won 72% of his faceoffs. Mount Olive hosts unbeaten Jefferson, a Rizk co-leader, on Friday.

Up next: Friday vs. Jefferson, Tuesday at Sparta

7. Roxbury (3-1)

Last week: Unranked

The Gaels opened the season with narrow victories against Morris Hills and Mount Olive by a combined five goals, followed by an 11-2 loss at Rizk co-leader Morris Knolls. Roxbury senior Anthony Skawinski already has 15 goals.

Up next: Friday vs. Montville, Monday at Pequannock, Wednesday at Randolph

Kinnelon's Jonathan Papendick (27) scores against Morris Hills. Kinnelon defeated Morris Hills, 8-2, at home on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Kinnelon's Jonathan Papendick (27) scores against Morris Hills. Kinnelon defeated Morris Hills, 8-2, at home on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

6. Kinnelon (3-0)

Last week: No. 9

The Colts opened the season with three victories in six days, followed by a week break. Senior Ben Papendick (5g, 7a) and his younger brother, junior Jon Papendick (9g, 3a, 13gb) have 12 points apiece. Senior Lex Lucas has converted 78% of his faceoff attempts.

Up next: Saturday at Montclair, Monday vs. Parsippany Regional

5. Jefferson (2-0)

Last week: No. 6

The Falcons continue to rely on the Reid twins. Junior attack Chubb Reid has four goals and nine assists. Junior goalie Jamison Reid has allowed only five goals in Jefferson's first two victories.

Up next: Friday at Mount Olive, Tuesday at Montville

Kyle Hardie,#10, of Morris Knolls moves with the ball as Connor Ross, #1, of Morristown pressures him in the first half during the Rizk boys lacrosse game at Morris Knolls High in Denville, Monday on 04/11/22.
Kyle Hardie,#10, of Morris Knolls moves with the ball as Connor Ross, #1, of Morristown pressures him in the first half during the Rizk boys lacrosse game at Morris Knolls High in Denville, Monday on 04/11/22.

4. Morris Knolls (3-0)

Last week: No. 5

Seniors Jack Martinez (7g, 9a) and Kyle Hardie (5g, 8a) helped Morris Knolls start off with three victories, including one in the NJAC-National and another in the Rizk. Five days later, the Golden Eagles head to North Hunterdon and then winless Rizk foe Kittatinny.

Up next: Thursday at North Hunterdon, Saturday at Kittatinny, Tuesday vs. Vernon

3. Chatham (3-1)

Last week: No. 3

It's tough to reset in the challenging Fitch-Pitt or the NJAC-American, but the Cougars are trying. Senior attack Charlie Lowe has five goals and a team-high 11 assists for Chatham, which hosts Scotch Plains in a Fitch-Pitt game on Thursday.

Up next: Thursday vs. Scotch Plains, Monday vs. Randolph, Wednesday at Montclair

2. Mountain Lakes (3-1)

Last week: No. 2

The Lakers' lone loss came against archrival Delbarton, sandwiched between victories against West Morris and Pope John – all NJAC-American games. Seniors Marco Dzamba and Giacomo Bevacqua have seven goals apiece for balanced Mountain Lakes, which has spread its 37 goals between 10 players.

Up next: Friday at Bergen Catholic, Wednesday at Don Bosco

1. Delbarton (3-1)

Last week: No. 1

Delbarton had a rough opening schedule, with Randolph, its annual rivalry game with Mountain Lakes, and a trip to Long Island to take on St. Anthony's. Oddly, all three games ended with five goals: twice for the Green Wave's opponents and once for them – a loss to the New York squad. Things don't lighten up much, with Fitch-Pitt games against Summit and Scotch Plains coming up around a weekend trip to Malvern (Pennsylvania) Prep.

Up next: Thursday vs. Summit, Saturday at Malvern (Pennsylvania) Prep, Wednesday at Scotch Plains

Also considered: Boonton (2-0), Mendham (1-2).

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys lacrosse: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings swayed by soggy start