Admirals lax standouts earn All-State honors
The boys lacrosse program won its second-straight region title and advanced to the state semifinals for the second consecutive year.
On the girls side, the Lady Ads fell to Cookeville in heartbreaking fashion to end the season.
Both programs received All-State nods, as several players were recognized for their efforts.
Admirals senior captain Brock Lockhart earned his second consecutive All-State award from the Tennessee Boys Lacrosse Association, totaling 121 goals and 190 points in his career to become the all-time points leader in FHS history.
He also exemplified the kind of leadership that can leave an indelible mark on a program.
“He was what every coach wants and needs as a leader,” said head coach Ben Sachs of Lockhart. “It didn’t matter who you were. He lifted you up on and off the field, sharing any knowledge he could with anybody. A prime example of what it means to be a captain. He had a selflessness and dedication, making sure guys were in the right spot, at practice, talking to them to build them up.
“He is really someone I wish every team could experience because it changes the whole dynamic of the group with the way he brought leadership to our team. I truly feel privileged to have spent the last two years with him. His numbers speak for his talent, but the leadership was a whole different ballgame.”
Finn Sachs also received his second consecutive All-State award. He averaged 3.8 goals and 1.7 assists per game this season with a .514 shot percentage and he sits 15 points away from Lockhart’s point record at the end of his sophomore campaign.
“His junior year is going to be big for him,” head coach Ben Sachs said. “I really see him continuing to grow as a player and a leader. He has a skill set that allows him to dictate what he wants to do on and off the field.
“He’ll almost be the face of Farragut lacrosse because of the hard work he’s put in, and there is no limit to what he can do — it’s all up to how much work he wants to put in. He’s going to be someone that younger players will look up to.”
Moses Burnette earned his first All-State nod this year, totaling a team-high 31 takeaways on the season.
“One of the biggest things was this was his third year playing lacrosse,” Sachs said of Burnette. “He really dedicated himself to becoming a great player and learning the sport as quickly as he could. He became a student of the game and was so effective cutting off passes, finding gaps and moved the ball to the offensive side so we could score.“
Nick Toth brought a similar impact, netting 27 takeaways for the Admirals while making things tough for opposing offenses.
“He really forced turnovers this year, getting about two a game,” Sachs said. “And most offensive players, when matched up with him, would immediately pass it away. Players didn’t really want to go one-on-one with him, and he forced guys to rethink their approach. He was a tone-setter for us, making a slide or body check to someone like, ‘If you’re going to try and shoot, you’re going to have to go through me.’”
Luke Duenckel also earned an All-State nod, racking up 74 grounds balls this year.
“I expect Luke to continue his effort,” Sachs said. “One of the greatest things about him is that he is the example of effort over talent. He won ground balls, ate shots and gave 110 percent. If every player put that effort into their lives, they would be unstoppable.”
But even with these All-State selections, senior Jane Davanzo was also selected as an All-State pick for the Lady Admirals.
She averaged 3.2 goals and 1.4 assists per game, totaling 82 shots on goal with 19 caused turnovers, 41 goals, 59 points and 18 assists in her senior season.
“Jane was a dominant force on the field,” Farragut girls lacrosse coach Savannah Thomas said. “She consistently put up points on the offensive end that helped us take the edge on opponents. She was a midfielder, so on many occasions she was leading the team in goals, points, draws and defensive caused turnovers. Players looked to her on the field as something to strive toward. She is also leader through and through. She was always staying late after practice to work on skills specific to what she needed to work on, and she was helping newer girls to improve their skills.”
Thomas added Davanzo came up with countless ideas to help team morale, using her positivity and creativity to “help the team finish strong, regardless of the outcome.”
For his own All-State players, Sachs said they have “continued to raise the bar” for Farragut lacrosse.
By Thomas’ quotes, it is clear that same sentiment can be applied to Davanzo, too.
