ATTACK MODE: Hun School boys’ lacrosse player Trevor Deubner looks for an opening in recent action. Junior attacker Deubner has triggered the offense for Hun as it has produced a 7-0 start. In upcoming action, the Raiders play at Shawnee High on April 24 before hosting national powerhouse IMG Academy (Fla.) on April 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Trevor Deubner set up shop behind the Peddie goal, quarterbacking the offense for the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team as it hosted the Falcons last week.

With the Hun junior attacker deftly passing into the crease to set up teammates and darting in front of goal to take shots when lanes opened up, the Raider attack clicked on all cylinders as the rolled to a 17-1 win in the April 16 contest.

“I am just trying to let the game come to me and not turn over the ball too much,” said Deubner, who ended up with three goals and four assists in the victory. “I try to make plays when they are there and not force it.”

Having started since his freshman year, Deubner is more savvy with the ball.

“I would say attack is 100 percent mental,” added Deubner, who has committed to attending the University of North Carolina and play for its high-powered men’s lacrosse program.

“I have tried to become a lot more mentally tough and make smarter decisions behind the net, knowing that I have got my team and my coaches believing in me.”

It also helps Deubner knowing that he has such stars as Grant Hansen, Devon Cowan, and Charles White to feed.

“I am blessed to have other players that I can pass to and they just elevate our team to another level,” said Deubner.

“We have all been playing together for a while. I have known Grant for eight years, he is my roommate. I have known Devon for six. I have known Charlie for five years. I have known all of these kids since I have been young so it helps on the field.”

Deubner believes that Hun has the mindset to take things to a higher level this spring.

“In the off season we put in a lot of work and it is starting to show,” said Deubner.

“This is the first year where we were really believing in it and dialed in. This will be one of those years where we can definitely do something incredible. That is what I am looking forward to.”

Hun head coach M.V. Whitlow is seeing a special dedication from his players so far this spring.

“I am pleased the most with the culture, how the guys are practicing, focusing on every rep and every drill,” said Whitlow. “The leadership is starting to emerge and we have responded to a couple of big games.”

While the Peddie game was one-sided, the Raiders were able to hone things.

“You play up to your standards; it is working on spacing, communication,” said Whitlow, whose team came up big last Thursday as it rallied to pull out a 13-11 win at Montgomery in improving to 7-0.

“You work on timing. You use an opportunity to play against an opponent that is building to get better. You respect the game, play the game, and take care of business.”

Hun has been getting a high standard of play from Deubner. “Trevor makes guys better off ball when the ball is in his stick,” said Whitlow.

“He is letting the game come to him a little bit more; he is seeing things a little bit more clearly and that comes with experience. He has been starting for us since freshman year, so this will be his third year as a starter. He is showing more maturity now which is nice to see. He is a very talented player.”

The squad’s defensive unit has been showing maturity. “We have been working on communication a lot with emerging leadership from Gabe Craven as a goalie,” said Whitlow, whose team plays at Shawnee High on April 24 and then hosts national powerhouse IMG Academy (Fla.) on April 26.

“He is not just making saves but running the defense. We have Jack Ruddy back there who is a natural leader. This is the time of year when guys really need to ramp up their leadership and communication and that is what we are seeing.”

Deubner, for his part, is confident that the Raiders will ramp things up as they head into the stretch drive of the season. “We just need to stay positive and stay motivating each other,” said Deubner. “We just really need try to be a team.”