We continue our new feature, “Player’s perspective” with one of the top underclassmen in the Hudson Valley/Long Island/Connecticut region.
Darien attackman Case Matheis, who became the first freshman to start in coach Jeff Brameier’s 26-year tenure with the Blue Wave, helped the Blue Wave win their fifth straight Class M state title.
* Player’s perspective archive
For background info on Case, click here.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
I made a tough decision this year to take a year off from DHS varsity hockey so I could focus on lacrosse. I think it has really paid off because I feel really ready for the season. Some of the guys from the lacrosse team and I have been lifting three times a week at Body Tuning in Darien, and Ive put on nearly 20 pounds. Also, Ive taken advantage of the new SoNo Field House in Norwalk where I have been playing lacrosse at least three times a week.
Can you talk about some of the key players you lost from last year and how you think you will be able to replace them?
We graduated a lot of talent last year, guys like John Bolton (Lafayette), Tyler Foley (Loyola), Nikki Dysenchuk (Dartmouth), Corey Caputo (Hofstra), Ryan Mulligan (Gettysburg), Matt Gorski (Ohio State) and Chas Brickman (Denison), and we will definitely miss them this year. The great thing about Darien, though, is there are so many really talented guys just waiting to get a chance to play. I know a lot of people talk about how Darien just reloads, but its true. The youth program in Darien is amazing. That, along with Coach Bs (Jeff Brameier’s) system, develops a really deep bench.
How does your scrimmage schedule look and which ones are you looking forward to most?
Our biggest scrimmages are versus John Jay (March 25) and Salisbury (March 31). We also usually have a jamboree that brings some of the best teams from the tri-state area. Last year it included West Islip and Fairfield Prep. The biggest scrimmage Im looking forward to is definitely Salisbury.
What players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
What I think will surprise people about Darien this year is not one or two individuals, it will be how we perform as a team. I think people will be surprised by the quickness of our offense, our athleticism at the midfield, and a defense that looks to be as good or better than last years. I think people will also be surprised by how ready we are for the season. Because most of us have been playing together at SoNo, I think we will be as ready to start the season as we have ever been.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
Our defense, team speed and team chemistry will be our biggest strengths. We have a great schedule including out-of-league games against Manhasset at West Point, Yorktown, Niskayuna and Conestoga. I dont think that many people are expecting as much from us as they did last year, but I think theyll be surprised.
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Posted In: Fairfield lacrosse, Player's perspective
Case, That march 25th scrimmage is against Somers!
Here’s the Darien we posted more than a month ago. If there were any scrimmage changes, I’m not aware of them. But March 25 is scheduled to be vs. John Jay.
DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL
BOYS VARSITY LACROSSE
SCHEDULE – 2010
DATE DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME
SCRIMMAGES
March 25 Thurs John Jay away 4:00
March 28 Sat Darien Jamboree home 8-1pm
March 31 Wed Salisbury home 4pm
April 3 Sat Darien Jamboree home 8-12noon
GAMES
April 7 Wed Danbury away 4:00
April 9 Fri home
April 13 Tues Bridgeport Central home 4:00
April 15 Thurs McMahon away 7:00
April 17 Sat Conestoga away tba
April 20 Tues Trinity Catholic home 4:00
April 22 Thur Wilton away 7:00
April 24 Sat Manhasset away tba
April 27 Tues Fairfield-Ludlowe home 4:00
April 29 Thurs Westhill away 4:30
May 1 Sat New Canaan home 1:00
May 4 Tues Fairfield-Warde home 4:00
May 7 Fri Yorktown away 7:00
May 11 Tues Norwalk away 7:00
May 13
Thurs St. Josephs away 4:00
May 19 Wed Greenwich home 4:00
CHAMPIONSHIPS
May 22 Sat FCIAC Quarterfinals Higher seed 1:00
May 25 Tues FCIAC Semifinals McMahon 5:00/7:30
May 28 Fri FCIAC Championships McMahon 7:30
June 3 Thurs Class M – State Playdowns Higher seed 3:00
June 5 Sat Class M – State Quarterfinals Higher seed 3:00
June 9 Wed Class M – State Semifinals TBA TBA
June 12 Sat Class M – State Finals TBA TBA
ALL-STAR GAMES
June 14 Mon Senior All-Star Branford TBA
June 19 Sat Super Junior All-Star TBA TBA
June 20 Sun Alumni Game home TBA
Somers and Darien both have master schedules that post 3/25 @ Somers 4pm.
Now Somers even envies the John Jay scrimmage schedule.
John Jay scrimmages Darien March 25th. Here is the JJ schedule…
http://johnjaylacrosse.vnsports.com/schedules/
The only date that matters on Darien’s schedule is May 7th. That is when they play ‘Town. The tilt with Matheis, West, Parnon & crew should be a classic!
Hey Case, great job! Keep it up and good luck with your season. Go Wave!
March 25 scrimmage is Darien vs. John Jay NOT Darien vs. Somers.
http://darienboyslacrosse.vnsports.com/schedules/
Checked with both coaches, it is Somers on the 25th. It changed after the coaching change. So dont go by old schedules. Somers – Chaminade never was a go.
Darien has enough guys that they could do both with a split squad, if they wanted.
There aren’t many kids who I think could lead an offense of a five time state champ as a sophomore. But Case is definitely up to the task.
Nice job Case. Like your play on the field, your insights about this year’s Darien team are beyond your years. The sky is the limit in 2010. Go Blue Wave!