Newcomers boost Newark boys lacrosse ascent

On Apr 3, 2023

NEWARK ― A day five months before the season started might go down as a landmark point in the history of the Newark boys lacrosse.

A large group of first-time players are giving Newark that extra boost to get over the hump. A program still achieving firsts in its sixth season might be developing staying power.

“To be honest, we did a rookie day back in October after football ended, and we bribed them,” Newark coach Caleb Nilo said. “We got them a shirt, Raising Cane’s and did a three-hour clinic with 25 players. We kept 21 of them. Eighteen are freshmen and three are sophomores. That was it. We didn’t do anything after that. They just kept coming.”

Newark freshman Luke Miller participates in a shooting drill under the watchful eye of coach Caleb Nilo during practice at White Field on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The Wildcats are 3-0 for the first time in program history and visit New Albany on Tuesday.

Senior stalwart Brayden Tosi scored a team-best three goals March 24 in an 8-5 victory at Clinton-Massie, giving Newark its first 3-0 start in program history. He, however, is receiving plenty of help from first-timers sophomores Drayson Peterson and Max Frost and freshman Luke Miller in the attack and freshman Jaeyden Smith in the face-off circle and defense.

Newark’s fast start has included comebacks against Xenia and Clinton-Massie and the first victory in program history against Licking Valley. The Wildcats will take a step up in competition Tuesday when visiting New Albany before an overnight trip this weekend, which takes them to Franklin on Friday and Xenia for a rematch on Saturday.

“We don’t give up,” Tosi said. “It’s different from last year. Last year, we couldn’t really finish. If we started out behind, it was a loss. We have been able to come back and win.”

Newark’s historic start came after a season in which momentum stalled. The Wildcats slipped back to three wins from eight in 2021, but the program led by Nilo went back to work.

The players dedicated themselves to the sport in the offseason, and the coaching staff received a boost during the winter with the addition of Valley graduate Paul Kirk, who was a standout defender at Wittenberg after starring with the Panthers.

“We finally have kids who want to put the work in,” said Nilo, whose program has a JV team and next season will resume its effort to add a middle school team. “We’re not perfect. We still have struggles just like all teams, but we have kids who have put the time in.

“It was all of the offseason training. We had all of the new players come and train with us to get ready before the season started.”

Multi-sport athletes have brought their talents to the lacrosse field. Nilo noted pockets of football players and wrestlers on the team, and junior goalkeeper Matt Johnson has made the natural transition from hockey rink where he plays the same position for the Newark Generals.

Johnson has help in the back from sophomore Kallan Baker, a standout wrestler, Smith and junior Brach Hollis, whose older brother Brayden Hollis graduated in 2021 as one of the best Wildcats in the program’s short history.

“It’s been really nice. We have never started off this strong,” Johnson said. “Last year, we only got three wins, so it’s big for us. … It was really great (to beat Valley). Everyone was pumped, and we just want to carry that on through the rest of the season.”

Senior Jibreel Smith and junior Eli Justice also have come through the wrestling pipeline, and junior Austin Reed is an unsung leader in the Wildcats’ offense.

Newark is seeing success on the field, but the Wildcats also might have staying power because of what they do off. The team has the highest grade-point average in the program’s history and high-character individuals across the board.

“Jibreel Smith has really only played half a season every year because wrestling goes until mid-March,” Nilo said. “He placed this year at state, and we got him and said we have a game tomorrow. He was there ready to go. He’s stepped up. He is becoming an offensive player, but he’s also a leader. He’s just the greatest kid I have ever coached.”