When the season began, social media pundits on the boys lacrosse scene did not consider Mars a contender.
But the Fightin’ Planets are proving those so-called experts wrong.
Mars used that snub as motivation and now ready to play Penncrest in the PIAA Class 2A championship game at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Penn State University’s Panzer Stadium. It’s the school’s fifth trip to the state finals in the past six seasons.
The Planets have won 10 consecutive WPIAL titles and are the only WPIAL team to win a PIAA title, reaching that goal in 2022.
“Penncrest has a very good team,” Mars coach Bob Marcoux said. “They are going to be a challenge. They just won a five-overtime game.”
Penncrest (20-6) defeated Twin Valley, 9-8, in a state semifinal marathon.
Mars (18-4) reached the finals by defeating Cocalico, 15-5, Upper Dublin, 10-8, and District 3 champion Lampeter-Strasburg, 9-6.
Senior Jack Tirch scored seven goals in the victory against Lampeter-Strasburg. He has 69 goals.
Senior midfielder Grant Weaver has 66 goals and 60 assists. He has a school-record 120 assists.
“Grant is the team’s most valuable player,” Marcoux said. “He was named a USA Lacrosse All-American and is an outstanding all-around player, especially on defense. He is also a leader.”
Weaver and Tirch have scored more than 200 points in their careers. Weaver is eighth all-time in scoring and Tirch is 11th.
Other top scorers include freshman midfielder Nate Caldwell with 40 goals and 16 assists, junior midfielder Reed Fuller with 24 goals and 19 assists and senior attacker Connor Long with 28 goals and 8 assists.
“We are very poised as a team, and they know how to win close games.” Marcoux said. “We have played with a chip on our shoulder since people doubted us.
“We started this program 15 years ago and taught the players the right way to play. That is why we can compete against the teams in the east.”
Marcoux said his team works hard on fundamentals.
“Early in the second, we struggled a bit,” Marcoux said. “But once we moved Reed (Fuller) back to the midfield to pair with Grant, it allowed us to control the field.”
Senior midfielder Josh Wilburn has won 317 faceoffs, a 78% win percentage, while senior goalie David Renner has made 93 saves for a 51% save percentage.
“Josh gets the ball to our attack.” Marcoux said. “We like to play make it, take it.”
Wilburn has 200 ground balls and is second all-time in faceoff wins and ground balls.
Mars defeated Marple Newtown, 9-6, in the 2022 finals.
The Planets lost to Allentown Central Catholic, 14-5, in 2021, Marple Newtown, 11-10, in 2023, and Marple Newtown, 11-9, in 2024.
The Planets lost to Allentown Central Catholic, 15-10, in last year’s quarterfinals.