By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Potential, the capacity to become or develop into something in the future, is both a blessing and a curse. “Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another,” professor Angela Duckworth proclaimed. Bedford North Lawrence will choose which direction it takes.
The Stars, coming off a 6-9-1 season, return 10 starters from last year’s sectional lineup. They have nine seniors on the roster. How far can they go? That’s in their hands.
“We have a lot of potential,” BNL coach Ryan Otis said on the eve of his third season in charge of the program. “We’ve got all the potential in the world, but we have to build on it now. We have to take advantage of that potential. It will come down to putting it all together.“
The experience factor fuels BNL’s optimism and outlook. The Stars must replace departed senior Grant Beyers, an All-HHC selection who scored 10 goals a year ago. But there’s plenty of firepower in reserve, staring with scoring leader Adriano Sullivan (11 goals) and defender Hiram Mullis. If BNL can stay healthy, and that was an issue late last season when five starters were missing at one point, the Stars could be a force.
“Grant was our glue in that midfield spot, he was the field general out there,” Otis said. “So everyone will have to step up and take on more responsibility. We have quite a bit of experience, so we should have a good core to build with.”
In addition to Sullivan (who will demand the most attention on offense) and Mullis (who will anchor the back line on the other end), BNL has returning depth with J.D. Russell and J.D. Miskuf in attacking slots, with Noah Childers in the midfield, with goalie Daniel Loudin-Magnuson in the net (once he recovers from a broken right thumb). Frank Decker has been moved from defense to the top of the formation for added explosiveness.
Other veterans will include Brayden Patterson, Asher Arce, Raiden Todd, Hunter Roodschild, Austin Harms and Manuel Morales.
“Defense should be a strength,” Otis said. “They’ve all played together for a while. We have really good pieces.”
BNL will host Silver Creek at open the season on Saturday at 1 p.m.
