| Mustang History |
July 2002: In the summer of 2002 Brian Maine, under the direction of the MHSAA, began a pilot program for lacrosse in the
greater Portage area encompassing both High School and Middle School boys. Young men from Kalamazoo Central, Loy
Norrix, Potage Central, Portage Northern and the associated middle schools participated in a two-week summer program to
introduce lacrosse to the area. Brian was successful in other areas within the state of Michigan, including Mattawan, which
began club lacrosse in the spring of 2002.
2003: In the spring of 2003, Portage and Kalamazoo area High Schools and Middle Schools created a lacrosse field at
Ramona Park. This combined program fielded a Varsity and JV club that consisted of 39 players in its first year. Under the
direction of Head Coach Frank Rogers, Portage posted a winning record of 8 and 6 and lost in the first round of the playoffs
to West Ottawa.
2004: In year two of the Portage program the numbers began to grow amongst Portage participants. This allowed for two
independent varsity and junior varsity squads. Frank Rogers and Mike Mester led the Varsity, while Russ King and Joe Cascio
directed the Junior Varsity squad. JV finished with a 7-10 record while the Varsity team finished with a 12-8 record. It was not
to be a season of celebration as the JV goal tender from Portage Northern HS, Matthew Thrasher - a walk on from the prior
outdoor summer league, was tragically killed in a boating accident. In later years, a tournament would be named in his honor.
2005: In the spring of 2005, numbers began to swell at both Northern and Central High Schools, as well as at the Middle
School level. Lacrosse was no longer an interest of just the men as Central Middle School began a girl’s team. Portage
would field boy’s Varsity and Junior Varsity teams at both Central and Northern High School as well as a combined Central
and West Middle School Team, the Muskies. Chris Sizemore joined Head Coach Frank Rogers as an assistant to the Varsity
program while Dan Mills and Jason Waterman joined the Junior Varsity program at Portage Central. 2005 was the beginning
of real growth for all the young program and necessitated the start a booster program. Operating budgets became essential
in order to support the required uniforms, buses, field maintenance and equipment for the programs. It was also the first year
for the Matt Thrasher Memorial game: A game to be played on McCamley field with proceeds to be directed to a Matt
Thrasher Scholarship fund. Portage Central won the first game 5 to 4 and has continued its winning streak to present day.
Portage Central finished the 2005 season 6 and 12.
2006: Portage Central Athletic Director, Dr. Larry Edland elected to make a coaching change at the Varsity and Junior Varsity
levels in 2006; promoting Dan Mills to the Varsity squad, assisted by Joe Cascio, Chris Sizemore and Jason Waterman. Troy’e
White and Martin Miller led the Junior Varsity program, continuing to build necessary fundamentals. After two previous losing
seasons; Coach Mills returned the Mustangs to a winning program ending the year with a 10-8 record. It was the start of
three successful seasons in a row under Mills.
2007: Under direction of the three-legged stool; (Mills, Cascio & Sizemore), the Varsity Mustangs finished the season 15-2.
The Junior Varsity squad was led by a talented group - Matt Sofarelli, Bob Tieche and Martin Miller. The Portage Central
lacrosse program had now become a contender in the Southwest Michigan Lacrosse Conference (SWMLC), setting numerous
team records and going further in the playoffs than ever before. Their historic run ended in the Regional Semifinal Playoffs
against Forest Hills Central. Coach Dan Mills was honored as the 2007 Coach of the Year for the SWMLC. Al Carpenter
(Midfield, ‘08) was honored with a 2nd Team All-State selection while Barry Beranek (Attack ‘08), Trevor Wight (Attack ‘08)
and Perrin VanderVeen (Defense ‘07) were honored with 3rd Team All-State Awards, 1st Team Conference Awards and All
Region Awards. Anthony Boyle (Defense ‘07) was also honored with an All Region Award. Six other Portage Central Mustangs
were honored with 2nd Team and Honorable Mention Conference Awards.
2008: The Mustangs steamrolled the Southwest Michigan Lacrosse Conference (SWMLC) and finished the ‘08 season 13-7.
The Mustangs were back-to-back defending SWMLC champions, not losing a conference game in 2007 or 2008. Coach John
VanderVeen joined Sofarelli, Tieche and Miller at the Portage Central Junior Varsity level to assist during the ‘08 season. The
Mustangs returned to the Regional Semifinal but fell to Flint Powers. The Mustangs again garnered numerous State and
National awards for their efforts on and off the field. Portage Central attackman Andrew Busch won the Don Lutz Award for
courage under fire and goalie Charlie Bogren won the Gene Reilly Award for academic achievement. These annual awards
are handed out by the State of Michigan Coaches Association. Aaron Mills was honored with the Academic All-American
Award. Eight Mustang men were recognized on 2nd and 3rd Team All-State, 4 players achieved All-Region and 11 attained
Conference Awards.
2009: The spring winds of 2009 brought another change to the Portage Central Mustang Lacrosse program as Dan Mills
retired as head coach. PC Athletic Director, Dr. Larry Edland promoted Chris Sizemore to the Varsity Head Coach position.
Coach Joe Cascio continued to assist the Varsity squad while Greg Chambers and Will Krueger were selected to lead the JV
program. Mustang Alumni, Barry Beranek also assisted at all three levels of the Portage Lacrosse program during his injury
recovery, which has delayed his college lacrosse career. Forty-eight young men participated as members of the Portage
Central Mustang Lacrosse team of 2009.
2010: Head Coach Chris Sizemore spent his second year continuing to set a new direction for the Mustangs. In 2010, the
Portage Central Mustangs tied Mattawan for the SWMLC Conference Title (lost tie-breaker). The Mustangs faced off for the
third time in the season with rival Mattawan in the first round of the playoffs, winning the nailbitter against the Wildcats and
sending the Mustangs to their 4th straight Regional Semifinal. The Mustangs came up 1 goal short in a loss to Okemos in the
Regional Semifinal, ending their 2010 season short. It was another great season, with many accolades for players as 5
players received All-State honors, 14 players were denoted as All-Conference and Coach Sizemore won Coach of the Year
for the SWMLC Conference.
2011: Coach Chris Sizemore spent his final season as Head Coach reaping the benefits of the handwork from the previous
two seasons. In 2011, the Portage Central Mustangs went undefeated in the SWMLC Conference and won the Conference
Title, with an overall record of 14-6. The Mustangs were seeded #2 in Region 5 for the state playoffs, the highest of any
PCHS lacrosse team in history. For the second straight year, the Mustangs met with rival Mattawan in the first round of the
playoffs, dominating the Wildcats in an 18-3 route and sending the Mustangs to their 5th straight Regional Semifinal. The
Mustangs had their eyes on the prize and were poised to make a deep playoff run. From the first whistle, the Mustangs
dominated the Okemos Chieftens in the Regional Semifinal, winning 14-6. The win in the Regional Semifinal ended a 4 year
loosing streak in that round of the playoffs and sent the Mustangs to the Regional Final, which is further than any other PCHS
team has been in the state playoffs. In the Regional Final, the Mustangs came up short against rival East Grand Rapids,
losing 16-4. It was another great season, with many accolades for players as 5 players received All-State honors, 10 players
were denoted as All-Conference and Jarred Bassett won Academic All American. The Mustangs final standings on Laxpower
was #6 in the State in Division 2, the highest finish of any Mustang lacrosse team.
greater Portage area encompassing both High School and Middle School boys. Young men from Kalamazoo Central, Loy
Norrix, Potage Central, Portage Northern and the associated middle schools participated in a two-week summer program to
introduce lacrosse to the area. Brian was successful in other areas within the state of Michigan, including Mattawan, which
began club lacrosse in the spring of 2002.
2003: In the spring of 2003, Portage and Kalamazoo area High Schools and Middle Schools created a lacrosse field at
Ramona Park. This combined program fielded a Varsity and JV club that consisted of 39 players in its first year. Under the
direction of Head Coach Frank Rogers, Portage posted a winning record of 8 and 6 and lost in the first round of the playoffs
to West Ottawa.
2004: In year two of the Portage program the numbers began to grow amongst Portage participants. This allowed for two
independent varsity and junior varsity squads. Frank Rogers and Mike Mester led the Varsity, while Russ King and Joe Cascio
directed the Junior Varsity squad. JV finished with a 7-10 record while the Varsity team finished with a 12-8 record. It was not
to be a season of celebration as the JV goal tender from Portage Northern HS, Matthew Thrasher - a walk on from the prior
outdoor summer league, was tragically killed in a boating accident. In later years, a tournament would be named in his honor.
2005: In the spring of 2005, numbers began to swell at both Northern and Central High Schools, as well as at the Middle
School level. Lacrosse was no longer an interest of just the men as Central Middle School began a girl’s team. Portage
would field boy’s Varsity and Junior Varsity teams at both Central and Northern High School as well as a combined Central
and West Middle School Team, the Muskies. Chris Sizemore joined Head Coach Frank Rogers as an assistant to the Varsity
program while Dan Mills and Jason Waterman joined the Junior Varsity program at Portage Central. 2005 was the beginning
of real growth for all the young program and necessitated the start a booster program. Operating budgets became essential
in order to support the required uniforms, buses, field maintenance and equipment for the programs. It was also the first year
for the Matt Thrasher Memorial game: A game to be played on McCamley field with proceeds to be directed to a Matt
Thrasher Scholarship fund. Portage Central won the first game 5 to 4 and has continued its winning streak to present day.
Portage Central finished the 2005 season 6 and 12.
2006: Portage Central Athletic Director, Dr. Larry Edland elected to make a coaching change at the Varsity and Junior Varsity
levels in 2006; promoting Dan Mills to the Varsity squad, assisted by Joe Cascio, Chris Sizemore and Jason Waterman. Troy’e
White and Martin Miller led the Junior Varsity program, continuing to build necessary fundamentals. After two previous losing
seasons; Coach Mills returned the Mustangs to a winning program ending the year with a 10-8 record. It was the start of
three successful seasons in a row under Mills.
2007: Under direction of the three-legged stool; (Mills, Cascio & Sizemore), the Varsity Mustangs finished the season 15-2.
The Junior Varsity squad was led by a talented group - Matt Sofarelli, Bob Tieche and Martin Miller. The Portage Central
lacrosse program had now become a contender in the Southwest Michigan Lacrosse Conference (SWMLC), setting numerous
team records and going further in the playoffs than ever before. Their historic run ended in the Regional Semifinal Playoffs
against Forest Hills Central. Coach Dan Mills was honored as the 2007 Coach of the Year for the SWMLC. Al Carpenter
(Midfield, ‘08) was honored with a 2nd Team All-State selection while Barry Beranek (Attack ‘08), Trevor Wight (Attack ‘08)
and Perrin VanderVeen (Defense ‘07) were honored with 3rd Team All-State Awards, 1st Team Conference Awards and All
Region Awards. Anthony Boyle (Defense ‘07) was also honored with an All Region Award. Six other Portage Central Mustangs
were honored with 2nd Team and Honorable Mention Conference Awards.
2008: The Mustangs steamrolled the Southwest Michigan Lacrosse Conference (SWMLC) and finished the ‘08 season 13-7.
The Mustangs were back-to-back defending SWMLC champions, not losing a conference game in 2007 or 2008. Coach John
VanderVeen joined Sofarelli, Tieche and Miller at the Portage Central Junior Varsity level to assist during the ‘08 season. The
Mustangs returned to the Regional Semifinal but fell to Flint Powers. The Mustangs again garnered numerous State and
National awards for their efforts on and off the field. Portage Central attackman Andrew Busch won the Don Lutz Award for
courage under fire and goalie Charlie Bogren won the Gene Reilly Award for academic achievement. These annual awards
are handed out by the State of Michigan Coaches Association. Aaron Mills was honored with the Academic All-American
Award. Eight Mustang men were recognized on 2nd and 3rd Team All-State, 4 players achieved All-Region and 11 attained
Conference Awards.
2009: The spring winds of 2009 brought another change to the Portage Central Mustang Lacrosse program as Dan Mills
retired as head coach. PC Athletic Director, Dr. Larry Edland promoted Chris Sizemore to the Varsity Head Coach position.
Coach Joe Cascio continued to assist the Varsity squad while Greg Chambers and Will Krueger were selected to lead the JV
program. Mustang Alumni, Barry Beranek also assisted at all three levels of the Portage Lacrosse program during his injury
recovery, which has delayed his college lacrosse career. Forty-eight young men participated as members of the Portage
Central Mustang Lacrosse team of 2009.
2010: Head Coach Chris Sizemore spent his second year continuing to set a new direction for the Mustangs. In 2010, the
Portage Central Mustangs tied Mattawan for the SWMLC Conference Title (lost tie-breaker). The Mustangs faced off for the
third time in the season with rival Mattawan in the first round of the playoffs, winning the nailbitter against the Wildcats and
sending the Mustangs to their 4th straight Regional Semifinal. The Mustangs came up 1 goal short in a loss to Okemos in the
Regional Semifinal, ending their 2010 season short. It was another great season, with many accolades for players as 5
players received All-State honors, 14 players were denoted as All-Conference and Coach Sizemore won Coach of the Year
for the SWMLC Conference.
2011: Coach Chris Sizemore spent his final season as Head Coach reaping the benefits of the handwork from the previous
two seasons. In 2011, the Portage Central Mustangs went undefeated in the SWMLC Conference and won the Conference
Title, with an overall record of 14-6. The Mustangs were seeded #2 in Region 5 for the state playoffs, the highest of any
PCHS lacrosse team in history. For the second straight year, the Mustangs met with rival Mattawan in the first round of the
playoffs, dominating the Wildcats in an 18-3 route and sending the Mustangs to their 5th straight Regional Semifinal. The
Mustangs had their eyes on the prize and were poised to make a deep playoff run. From the first whistle, the Mustangs
dominated the Okemos Chieftens in the Regional Semifinal, winning 14-6. The win in the Regional Semifinal ended a 4 year
loosing streak in that round of the playoffs and sent the Mustangs to the Regional Final, which is further than any other PCHS
team has been in the state playoffs. In the Regional Final, the Mustangs came up short against rival East Grand Rapids,
losing 16-4. It was another great season, with many accolades for players as 5 players received All-State honors, 10 players
were denoted as All-Conference and Jarred Bassett won Academic All American. The Mustangs final standings on Laxpower
was #6 in the State in Division 2, the highest finish of any Mustang lacrosse team.
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| PORTAGE CENTRAL MUSTANGS LACROSSE |
