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Spring sports starting in February actually makes sense in certain parts of the country.
The high school lacrosse season is well underway in Florida, Texas and other areas included in the USA Lacrosse South Region rankings. Here are the teams to know and players to follow.
The first in-season update to the South rankings will be published March 3.
1. St. Andrew’s (Fla.)
The Scots (18-7 last year, 6-0 to start 2026) have had the firepower over the last two years to win a state title but have not been able to close out the season on top. St. Andrew’s once again boasts a talented roster, led by 2024 Regional Player of the Year Nick Testa (Johns Hopkins), who recorded 163 points in 2025. St. Andrew’s was also expected to have Dylan Faison this year, but the two-sport star decided to enroll early at Notre Dame.
2. Highland Park (Texas)
The Highlanders (19-3 last year, 4-1 to start 2026) will try to defend their state title after losing Benton Owens and Ben Boyer. Highland Park will look to 6-foot-4 junior defenseman Griffin Hammer (North Carolina) to lead the backfield, with Pearce Powers (Holy Cross) anchoring the midfield. Offensively, Harrison Brown (Yale) is expected to play a key role on attack.
3. IMG Academy (Fla.)
The Ascenders have quickly become one of the top prep programs in the country, improving from a 9-14 season in 2024 to 15-4 a year ago. IMG features a lineup full of future Division I players, led by athletic goalie Nicholas Pagnotta (Navy) and speedy midfielder Francisco Williams (Hofstra). Not among the senior class is 2027 graduate George Caldroney (Princeton), one of the top attackers in this year’s junior class.
4. Benjamin (Fla.)
The Buccaneers (24-1 last year, 4-1 to start 2026) lost significant firepower after winning a state championship last year but return long-stick midfielder Jake Ivancevic (Brown), who reclassified to the 2027 class. Joining him in the midfield is sharpshooter Jack Kelleher (Yale). (Editor's note: These rankings were compiled before the season started. Benjamin's in-state loss to Jupiter on Feb. 20 will be reflected in the first update March 3.)
5. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)
The Raiders (21-3 last year, 2-0 to start 2026) return many of their stars from their 2025 state-championship squad, led by James Finch (Ohio State). Joining him on attack is fellow senior Diego Salazar (Loyola). The duo combined for 145 goals.
6. Episcopal Dallas (Texas)
If anyone is going to challenge Highland Park in Texas, it will be the Eagles (19-3 in 2025). Episcopal Dallas is led by Josh Logan (Virginia), a highly athletic midfielder, with Michael Goglia (Boston University) joining him on attack.
7. Lambert (Ga.)
The Longhorns (22-0 last year, 4-0 to start 2026) are aiming to win their fourth state championship since 2021 and have the talent to repeat. The defense is led by Andrew Pascarella (Georgetown), who excels at clearing and disrupting passing lanes.
8. Community School–Naples (Fla.)
The Seahawks (16-6 last year, 2-2 to start 2026) lost several key pieces, including Cal Wyatt, but remain poised to contend for a state title in Florida. The squad is expected to be more defensive-minded this season, with senior Turner Tarrasch (Richmond) leading the way.
9. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)
The Crusaders (24-2 last year, 1-0 to start 2026) lost much of their offensive production from a year ago, but the defending state champions appear poised to contend again. The offense will rely more heavily on Peter Dolan (Marist), who scored 53 goals last season. Ciaran Murphy (Albany) anchors the defense after winning 53 ground balls in 2025.
10. The Woodlands (Texas)
A year after losing three of five games in overtime, the Highlanders (13-5 in 2025) hope to close out tight contests this season. The Woodlands boasts one of the nation’s top junior attackers in Stockton Stewart (Michigan). James Whitehouse (Virginia) is a large, skilled attacker with experience on big stages, and Hayden Johnson (Ohio Wesleyan) provides strength at long-stick midfielder.
