* The Pueblo West program took its lumps in its first varsity season, finishing 1-14. But the Cyclones’ 2007 record isn’t dimming the enthusiasm this year.

“Nobody is down,” coach Bob Vigil said. “Everybody is excited. A lot of kids went to camps and worked on stick skills and participated in offseason workout programs. They’ve been working hard.”

Pueblo West is the only high school lacrosse program in the Steel City. The program started at the middle school level a few years ago, and Pueblo West started the program three years ago.

“The city is starting to embrace the sport and there is a buzz in the city,” Vigil said.

* Fairview probably will not surpass Cherry Creek and Mullen in the Centennial League race this season, but if the Knights can reach the playoffs again, they could be trouble.

Goalkeeper Mike Deemer is a three-year starter and some coaches believe he is one of the best in the state. Deemer had 164 saves in 12 games last year and posted a 5.17 goals-against average.

“With a great goalie, you are in every single game you play,” Fairview coach Tom Knight said.

* One of the best players in the state is only a junior. Kent Denver midfielder Patrick Murray recently was ranked the 12th-best junior in the country by Inside Lacrosse magazine. Murray, whose brother Joey plays for the University of Denver, already has committed to Georgetown. Murray leads what Sun Devils coach Tom Graesser calls the “strongest junior class he has seen in Colorado.”

* Jim Beardmore takes over a Colorado Academy team that lost in the second round of the state playoffs last season. Beardmore is a former two-time all-pro in the Major Indoor Lacrosse league. After finishing his pro career, he coached at Severna Park High School in Maryland, where he had a 50-8 record and won the 2004 Maryland state championship.

* Regis Jesuit already is loaded with talent this season with All-American Greyson Konkel, Manhattan-bound goalkeeper Troy Orzech and defenseman Michael Gordon, who signed with Dartmouth. But the Raiders will get another addition with the return of long-pole midfielder Chris Duncan. A senior, Duncan tore up his knee in the first scrimmage last year and missed the season.

* First-year coach Sean McCarthy has brought a blue-collar mentality to Heritage. McCarthy, who also plays for Major League Lacrosse’s Denver Outlaws, said that mentality has proved successful throughout his career.

“That’s how I was brought up playing in New York, and I want to bring that style across here,” he said.

McCarthy, a third-year defenseman for the Outlaws, said he has enjoyed being part of the sport’s growing popularity in Colorado.

“Lacrosse is growing out here and I want to be part of it,” he said.