Puyallup Panthers: "Old School" - New Team

Puyallup drops a close game to conference rivals Klahowya, a loss that costs them second place- at least until next week when there is a rematch. Both coach Wherry and coach Bowman felt the keys in the game were ground balls and transition, a strength normally belonging to the Panthers, was absent like team leader Anthony Puntel.

Puntel was playing Hockey, in Michigan while a well playing Klahowya team topped the Panthers 8-5. Coach Bowman also noted their conditioning helps them play much faster and get the ground balls, but, “some of our sticks just couldn’t hold the ball”.  Matthew Puntel had three, and Gorey had a pair for Puyallup, but couldn’t find an answer for big Nich Holm who had a hat trick himself, and at least 16 ground balls. Puyallup runs their “old School” 3-1-2 and fuels it with lots of transition. The Panthers back-up keeper had 14 saves as a first year goalie. In fact, more interesting than the game summary, is the fact that Puyallup is a first year team, and is rivaling the top of the division.
Puyallup is a brand new team this year, and boasts only three players who played for a TYLA team before playing on the Panthers. Gabe and Jacob Crooks and Levi Hrizco are the only three experienced High School players and are starters this year. Coach Wherry also said he had five guys from a middle school team, but the rest are brand new.

When asked about how the team dynamic, it appears there are several Hockey players who are lacrosse converts. Though no surprise, both the Puntel brothers are Hockey players, and a couple more have taken to Lacrosse, including Scott, their netminder. Next year, Puyallup will get some 15-16 8th graders from one of the four feeder Middle Schools in the area. Emerald Bridge High School is supporting the program, but every HS (4) and every MS (4) in Puyallup feed this program. Wherry noted he still had kids coming out at end of February after starting practice in January. He will be planning a JV program for next year, but wants to stay with TYLA for another year.

With so many new players, Wherry and company needed to start practice as soon as possible. First year teams are allowed to start practicing in January before the season, so the Panthers started under the lights in the parking lot to learn how to catch, throw and condition. Since both coaches serve in the Nations finest Army, the kids received the same type of conditioning as soldiers going to Iraq. Both army guys say some of these stick just didn't hold the ball". Description of the conditioning included running hills, physical conditioning, and even partner carries from place to place. In the parking lot, there are several trees at the bottom of the parking lot hill. Players run the hill down and back by every tree in the parking lot. They do also use the track on occasion.

So what about these coaches? Wherry played High School ball before entering the Army, and wound up playing club ball with Huron, then wherever there was a game to be had at duty post including North Carolina, or Texas.
Coach Bowman played his high school ball in Nashua NH, before playing club, then he entered the Army as well. In Colorado, Bowman told me a story about his platoon of troopers coming back in from the field and they used Lacrosse to blow off some steam and have some fun. After five years, he came out here.
I asked about the dynamic of the kids on the team, and both coaches had this to say, “The boys on the team don't have egos, they do what the coaches ask including hill running, sprinting, partner assisted carries. We really treat this as a life learning excercise.” Wherry went on to talk about his players’ dedication, “These kids played hard over spring break. For some, these two weeks of improvement has been dramatic. The new goalie is a back-up, but also a hockey player. Wherry explained him as a player who will do “whatever it takes" to play.

Along with TYLA, Wherry wanted to thank Roger and Holly Morris. They had a son play in Tacoma, and wove John back into the community. Roger is still coaching the 7/8th team and Holy is coaching the girls – they are super supporters and ambassadors of the game.
The Panthers are looking forward to their rematch next Wednesday. They know it will take lots of work to get at Tacoma. They really want to play North County as well. The Panthers just want to play and get better. If their conditioning and focused coaching keep them improving, look for Puyallup to do well in the playoffs.