Novi -- Defending Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 runner-up Detroit Catholic Central opened the 2008 state playoffs with a convincing 21-4 win May 22 over Waterford United.

   The game was never in doubt, as the Shamrocks led 6-2 after the first quarter and 16-3 at half. The entire second half was played with a running clock.

> COMPLETE BOYS LACROSSE PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD

   "No matter the competition, you have to be tough for 48 minutes," said Catholic Central Head Coach Dave Wilson.

   Senior Jeff Wood scored six goals. Junior Chris Nemes scored four goals and added four assists. Senior tri-captain Jack Dumsa had four goals and six assists. Sophomore Jeff Janer added two goals. Senior Jake Christenson, junior Josh Walters, senior Brad Higgins, freshman Nick Guerriero, and freshman Mike Birney all scored goals for the Shamrocks.

   The Shamrocks (10-7 and ranked at No. 6 in the current LaxPower.com rankings) have finished as state runner-up to Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice the past two years. But this is a much younger team this year. The Catholic Central lineup features nine sophomores and four freshmen and suffered some growing pains, losing seven games in the regular season.

   "We've had a tough season," saidWilson. "I think the boys found out that they just can't walk out on the field and have the other team lay down for them."

   But the Shamrocks are now on a three-game winning streak and have many players back from injury and look to make one of their patented playoff runs.

    Catholic Central will face Walled Lake Northern in the Region 2 semifinals on May 28. If they can get past Northern, on horizon will be the winner of the University of Detroit Jesuit/Clarkston semifinal game.

   Northern beat Lake Orion 11-4, Jesuit dominated Grand Blanc 22-2, and Clarkston won an overtime thriller 6-5 over White Lake Lakeland to advance.

   Catholic Central split two games with Jesuit during the season, with the combined score of the two games dead even at 20-20.  "It should be an old-fashioned slugfest if both teams reach the regional final," said Wilson.

   Waterford finished a fine season at 10-8.