Speaker 1: 0:07

Welcome to the Bubba Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson. Joining us today are the Highland Park Lacrosse captains. Highland Park Lacrosse holds the title as the winningest program in Texas, with 12 state championships, and they're gearing up for another exciting season. I invited the team captains to reflect on last season and tell us what we can expect for the upcoming season. I invited the team captains to reflect on last season and tell us what we can expect for the upcoming season. I'm so excited for you all to meet and hear from Parker Addison, benton Owens, ben Boyer and Paxton Smith Guys, thank you so much for being here today. Can we go around the table and just introduce yourselves? Tell us your name, your number and the position that you play.

Speaker 2: 0:41

Hello, I'm Parker Addison, I play attack and I'm number eight.

Speaker 3: 0:45

I'm Ben Owens, I play defense and I'm number two.

Speaker 4: 0:48

I'm Paxton Smith and I play midfield and I'm number 21.

Speaker 5: 0:51

I'm Ben Boyer, I play LSM and I'm 33.

Speaker 1: 0:55

So each year there's always a theme that every team comes up with that just kind of sets the tone for the year, and you guys have a very interesting one, and I want to know a little bit of background about it. Tell us what it is and what the motivation behind that was.

Speaker 5: 1:09

As we know, last year we lost in the semifinals to those other people, and that left us with a for sure sour taste in our mouth, and we want to come back this year.

Speaker 1: 1:22

You're ready.

Speaker 5: 1:23

Against everybody.

Speaker 1: 1:24

You're ready to redeem yourselves. It sounds like Okay. So just so some of the people understand and I did have Coach Pressler on the show last year and he kind of talked about this, but tell us what you mean by those other people- we're not allowed to say you know the team name, because they're our rivals, we don't like them. So your main rivals? They like to say not use the team name, right.

Speaker 2: 1:45

Yes.

Speaker 1: 1:47

Okay, so guys, tell me who are some of your biggest role models in lacrosse.

Speaker 3: 1:53

I mean I would just say Coach Dunn as a player and as a person, because I mean he's taught us how to be a better man and a better player and he's just definitely someone that I think I look up to and think others do as well.

Speaker 4: 2:08

And for me I think it's obviously Coach Pressler. He teaches us life lessons every day, and also not just on the field, but off the field.

Speaker 5: 2:18

I would also say my parents. I mean obviously the coaches, coach Pressler, coach Ledman, coach Dunn. They're all great, but my parents, they give me a lot of inspiration.

Speaker 2: 2:27

I would say my little brothers, it's. My favorite thing is having to give game after the game, going out seeing them, hugging them. They're my inspiration.

Speaker 1: 2:36

Okay, all of you had amazing responses. I love all that. So lacrosse is a very fast-paced, very physical sport. There's a lot of people listening that are trying to get their kids involved in lacrosse. Tell us what your biggest piece of advice would be to get into the game for me I would say uh, confidence is a big thing in lacrosse.

Speaker 4: 2:57

When you have a good good um confidence, then you play a lot better.

Speaker 5: 3:01

For my experiences, I think just being competitive, competitive spirit. You know that's one of the keys to our program and I believe we all possess that as a team.

Speaker 3: 3:12

I mean just, most importantly, go out there and have fun. It's a fun physical, fast-paced sport and it's just a ton of fun and if you mess up it's fine. You just got to go to the next play and keep on moving forward.

Speaker 2: 3:28

What got me into it was my friends.

Speaker 1: 3:29

Just go out there playing every single day with your best friends. So, guys, there are so many sports, so many extracurricular activities to get involved with. Why did you all pick lacrosse?

Speaker 5: 3:36

well, I started playing lacrosse in the first grade. I really wanted to play a contact sport because at the time football was was just flag, it wasn't tackle, and I just love the physicality of it and it really, uh, grabbed my attention and I picked up a stick and haven't stopped since then and for me, um, it was basically just my brother played it, so I guess I played it too and it just stuck with me.

Speaker 4: 4:00

I started in first too, so I guess my dad would just threw me on the field and I started playing.

Speaker 3: 4:07

Yeah, for me. I started in like second grade, third grade around then, so all like my best friends were playing it. It's all they could talk about of just how much they love it, so that just influenced me to pick up a stick and start playing.

Speaker 2: 4:21

I remember my dad telling me to play and I remember because I was a football player back then. I started in first grade and I was like there's no way I'm going to love this sport. And then I remember the first practice was so much fun and it just became my favorite sport ever since that first practice.

Speaker 1: 4:35

Well, I feel like when you guys started, lacrosse maybe wasn't quite as popular in the Texas area as it is today. It is really popping off right now and it's becoming more and more popular every day. What do you think is going on with that?

Speaker 4: 4:51

Yeah, it's definitely getting a lot bigger, especially with Pressler down here Now that, like there's a Duke versus Denver game that's coming down to Texas, so he's going to draw a lot of people to come watch kids from Texas.

Speaker 2: 5:07

And yeah, it's the fastest sport on two feet, man, it's so much fun to watch. You know there's so much going on. You never like, say like in baseball or football, you're kind of waiting sometimes. You're never waiting, it's just, it's just going, going, going, going why not play it if you're a little kid?

Speaker 5: 5:23

It's like it's an everything sport. Stick, hand-eye coordination, running, athletic ability it's everything in one sport.

Speaker 3: 5:32

Yeah, all of our friends. They don't really know what's going on out there, but they always say it's their favorite to watch over football, basketball and all that.

Speaker 1: 5:40

Well, so every athlete that we've ever talked to always has a favorite moment, either on or off the field. Tell us what your favorite lacrosse memory is so far, whether it's like a big win or a funny moment or a crazy play.

Speaker 5: 5:54

I think the easy answer is state championship, 2020, 23. I was there 2023 year. That's the easy answer, and I'm sure all these guys have the same, uh, same answer there. And um, another funny memory was spring break, sophomore year, which was 2023, season two, when coach pressler he told us to dress funny and wear crazy clothes because we were going to a bowling alley later and we didn't think anything other. We're like, okay, yeah, we're just gonna dress funny, and then we go into the dining hall and every other night we've been eating alone with just our team, and the one night that we wear our crazy clothes, it's all the girls lacrosse teams, it's just there, and so we did feel a little out of place there.

Speaker 4: 6:41

I mean, yeah, bond's um obviously going to be the 2023 state championship. I mean I'm going to remember that for probably the rest of my life, especially with the great group of guys. It was an awesome team and just to celebrate that all together was just awesome.

Speaker 3: 6:58

Yeah, I'm going to have to say the same thing Definitely the state championship. I mean those seniors deserved it and I'm glad we could get them one and glad we got it done that year.

Speaker 2: 7:07

I mean, I have the same answer. It's just so much, you know, this best feeling I've ever felt in my life, you know, seeing all that hard work we put in, you know, and it makes us want to just go do it again this year. You know, this is our last year and this is our last time to do so, yeah, yeah, I was there that year.

Speaker 1: 7:27

My daughter was a senior and she was there, and a huge group of friends and it was pouring down rain Right guys Remember that and we were there in the stands we had a giant umbrella and it was just so exciting, especially because it was Pressler's first year and we as a family were very needled across at the time. So it just was so exciting to experience that from the stands and you guys are talking about from the field. So what a great memory. For sure Does going to an oral surgeon sound scary? Well, it's not if you go to SA Oral Surgeons.

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Speaker 3: 9:29

Yeah, for those who don't know about Pressler, he's currently a coach for the PLL right now. He coached at Duke and many other D1 and D2 and D3 schools, so he knows everything and he always tells us he's going to treat us like a D1 team, division I team whether that's the practice plan, the text messages game, whatever it is. But yeah, like you said, there's a lot of yelling going on. That's mainly the defense, because the coaches always tell us it doesn't matter what you're saying, just be loud. You've got to stay connected out there, because if you're not yelling at each other and telling each other where to be, you're going to get lost and most likely scored on yelling at each other and telling each other where to be, y'all are going to get lost and most likely scored on.

Speaker 5: 10:12

Well, one of Pressler's main sayings is lacrosse is a player's game, not a coach's game, and I feel like that kind of ties into his coaching style. It's more loose and free. He wants the player to make the play and he'll do everything to put the player on that play, but at the end of the day he has to make it.

Speaker 4: 10:31

And I would say for our practices they're really organized, like what Bitsa was saying. We got a practice plan he sends to us every day so we can look at it before we go to practice, so we know what drill we're going to do, we know ahead of time how to do it and our practices are also really fast-paced, like our water breaks are like 10 seconds, like you don't even sometimes get a sip and then you go out and then it's just really fast-paced.

Speaker 2: 10:55

You get your conditioning in the drill. He never makes us, you know, run sprints or anything, it's just. All the drills are just super. I mean they're tired, but you know they're fun and you know he has some crazy sayings like befriend the pink elephant, what else? Triple E, triple E.

Speaker 1: 11:13

What does that mean? The pink elephant?

Speaker 2: 11:17

He usually says it during halftime. He's like when your tongue's around your ankles and you're seeing the pink elephant. It's when you're super tired. You've got to befriend that.

Speaker 1: 11:29

It's a little strange, but it works hey, you know, whatever works well, I just find it really fascinating how much he communicates with you guys, because I have heard of some texts like on new year's eve he sent a very uh, motivating text, just uh uh encouraging you all to be on good behavior and things like that and he just really takes the time to communicate on a daily basis.

Speaker 3: 11:54

Yeah, you can tell you, uh, he uh really cares about his players outside of lacrosse Cause he'll always be sitting, like you said, like videos, motivational speeches. He likes to send us some songs sometimes, um, but yeah, you're, I mean you're always going to get a text.

Speaker 5: 12:10

You're not going to go a week, uh, in your life without getting a text from presley and I feel like in the past I have had some, some coaches where, um, I'm not as close with them, it's not really a relationship, but with coach presler it really is a, a close relationship. He wants to get to know you.

Speaker 3: 12:28

Yeah, Coach. One of his favorite sayings is he'd take a better man over a lesser player, rather than a lesser man over a better player any day of the week, which just shows a lot about his character.

Speaker 1: 12:39

I would agree. He shared that when he was on the podcast last year and I was really, really impressed by that. I don't know about you, but when my teenagers started driving, I was a nervous wreck. So many things that could go wrong and God forbid they get into an accident. Sure, we have car insurance, but for some young drivers the monthly insurance can be higher than the car payment. That's why we're excited to announce that State Farm is lowering their car insurance rates, and you should call our good friend Kathy L Wall with State Farm on Lovers Lane in Dallas. You see, kathy and her team don't just sell car insurance, they sell peace of mind. So if an accident happens, they're actively working on your claim so you can put that accident behind you and, best of all, kathy will personally talk with your teen driver with some straight talk that will help them appreciate the driving privilege you have provided them. So if you're tired of high rates for auto insurance, please call our good friend Kathy L Wall, state Farm at 214-350-2692 or visit her website at kathylwallcom and let her know.

Speaker 1: 13:44

Martha from the Bubble Lounge sent you Well. One thing I always like to ask our student athletes, because going to Highland Park it's pretty intense academically. You guys are all seniors, You're getting ready for college, all the applications and all the things. How do you all balance sports, academics, social, all the things?

Speaker 5: 14:06

Well, it's very hard. It's a high pressure environment in Highland Park, for sure, with academic, sports and everything else social. But in those three areas you're going to have to make some sacrifices, whether it's socially, academically or in lacrosse. It's difficult but it's for sure doable.

Speaker 2: 14:28

One thing Coach Presser always says to us is be at the front of the classroom. So I think that really helps us pay attention more. If you're sitting in the back, you're not getting as much information and stuff, Because you're not going to have much time to do stuff outside of school. So by sitting in the front you get all that knowledge in.

Speaker 4: 14:46

And also the teachers. If you go talk to them, they'll understand, and they'll understand that we have late practices sometimes and if you just talk to them and get close to them, then it'll help you out a lot.

Speaker 1: 14:59

Absolutely Just being in constant communication with your teachers is so important. So, guys, like we talked about earlier, is that lacrosse is really gaining popularity in the Texas area, and if you guys could play against any team, who would it be and why?

Speaker 3: 15:16

I would have to say McDonough. They're arguably the number one team in the nation. They are I don't know if I'm supposed to say this, but I think we were trying to schedule them this year to play them at Highlander, which would have been so much fun. But yeah, it's just those games. Like the Culver game last year, even though we lost, was one of my favorite games I've ever played, Just because playing the best of the best up in the East Last year, even though we lost, was one of my favorite games I've ever played, Just because playing the best of the best up in the East, those teams up in the East, it doesn't get better than that.

Speaker 2: 15:48

I want Culver again, we can beat them. We lost last year. It's revenge this year.

Speaker 4: 15:54

They don't know what's coming. Yeah, I was going to say I would want to play Landon again, especially because I feel like this year we could beat them. I feel like, and last year was a good game. I think a lot of people enjoyed watching it and we have a bunch of buddies on that team, so it was fun seeing them and playing them.

Speaker 5: 16:12

Kind of like these guys. I would want to play Landon and Culver again. I mean just talented teams, good players, good coaches, high level lacrosse, and also I'm going to add those other people too. I just don't like them.

Speaker 1: 16:26

Well, that Culver game was incredible at being in the stands. I mean, like Pressler always says, you can't be the best unless you play the best, and you guys held your own. That's a tough team, very well known, very prestigious, and you guys held your own on that. That was pretty impressive. Let's talk a little bit more about last season. You guys played Torrey Pines, which is a really, really competitive matchup. What did you think about that game?

Speaker 5: 16:52

Well, torrey Pines, they're one of the best teams in California and I would say that was our best defensive game last year. They had two goals on us. I believe the score was 6-2. And I mean kind of the theme with this group of seniors all of them is revenge. I mean our sophomore year they beat us by one point. That was our one loss that year and our junior year. Last year we just kind of came back. We're like we're not losing to these guys and defense had a standout performance.

Speaker 3: 17:25

Yeah. So in a way we kind of call Torrey Pines our rival because we played them freshman year, sophomore year, junior year and we're going to play them this year and they're just a really fun team to play. They're competitive, they're athletic, they're just a great fun team to play. They're competitive, um, they're athletic, they're just a great um, fun team, fun team to play so taking it back to texas?

Speaker 1: 17:45

what about wesley?

Speaker 4: 17:46

um. So, yeah, they're on our schedule this year. Um, we haven't played them during the regular season and probably four since four uh, my freshman year, and we, kind of me and parker kind of um, have have some revenge to do because our freshman year, our first round, westlake took us out and beat us and they also have a bunch of they're a really good team, they have a bunch of good guys and they're going to be a great game.

Speaker 1: 18:11

So you all are doing something kind of unique this year and that's the military appreciation game. Can you tell us more about that?

Speaker 4: 18:17

Yeah, so it's a game that we each get our own jerseys with our last names on them in their military and the game's home against those other people. And last time I played in it was freshman year and it was probably the biggest game that I was scared the whole time.

Speaker 2: 18:35

And we lost an OT 4-5. We got some revenge.

Speaker 5: 18:40

And Benton and I. We weren't on the varsity team freshman year, so we were in the stands watching that game and that was just a crazy game. The energy was high on both sides of the ball. It was cool. Everybody was running out with flags. The uniforms were cool. It was just a great way to honor our country.

Speaker 3: 18:59

Yeah, like Boyer said, you saw both teams running out with American flags. The atmosphere was crazy. That's just the game you look forward to and hope you get picked for every year.

Speaker 1: 19:11

So you guys have something really interesting coming up at Highlander Stadium on March 22nd. That's the Duke versus Denver game. I think this is so interesting that we're having this at our stadium. Can anyone talk more about that?

Speaker 3: 19:22

It's two of the best lacrosse teams in the nation and I think in a way, it's part of Presser's plan to grow lacrosse in Texas and all over, because, as y'all know, it's not as big in the South as it is in the East. And getting back to the game, I mean you don't get to watch this game, uh, in person anywhere else.

Speaker 4: 19:41

The atmosphere is awesome at highlander um, as we know, and just being able to watch those two teams compete in battle um in march is just such a great opportunity to have it's also, um, gonna be awesome because I mean there's gonna be a bunch of kids there, all the whole community, like our community, highland park, and people are gonna be coming in and watching this game especially. It's cool Cause it's in our backyard, it's in HP. I mean we play there Friday nights and it's just awesome.

Speaker 5: 20:09

And for for that game. If I was a little kid and I saw two elite college programs come play at my high school stadium, I would be very like at all like amazed of the speed of the game, cause at that age, especially growing up and I wouldn't say a lacrosse hotbed you don't not see the speed of the game like that anywhere else. To put into perspective.

Speaker 3: 20:33

For football players, it's like Bama Georgia playing in your backyard stadium.

Speaker 1: 20:38

That's a good analogy. Well, the minute the email came out that it was happening on March 22nd, I bought tickets for our family because I literally can't wait to go see it. I think it's going to serve as a really good recruitment opportunity and just get a lot of the younger kids fired up about lacrosse in general. So guys, tell me what is like fundamentally different about this year's team versus last year's team.

Speaker 5: 20:59

I would say from the start, because we just started two weeks ago, it's just the beginning, but from what we have seen so far, the energy is just off the charts. Everybody's flying around everywhere, everybody's ready, everybody's ready to go and they cannot wait.

Speaker 4: 21:16

And also I would say we're a really close team. I feel like everyone's close, everyone can talk to each other if you need something or any of that. And also like what Boris said, I mean we're looking great out there, we're flying around, we're excited for the season to start and we're all just really excited and want to go get a state championship.

Speaker 3: 21:35

Yeah, there's more than half the team are returning varsity players, which means more than half of us still have that sour taste in our mouth from losing the ESD in the semis last year. So we just all know everyone wants it even more than ever.

Speaker 2: 21:52

The leadership on this team is just incredible. I know us four are captains, but every senior on that team could be a captain. I mean even some juniors too. And I just think that we're coming to realize now that this is our last year and it's you know, it's hard, it's hard to grasp. This is our last year ever playing high school lacrosse ever, and I just think you know we just we we don't like, just want it, we need it like this is, and all the, all, the all the you know underclassmen understand it too. They're bought in for us. They know it's our last year too, and it's going to be a great year.

Speaker 1: 22:25

Well, guys, I can tell that you guys really want this. I can tell you're fired up. I cannot wait to see the first game on February 9th at 12 o'clock at Highlander Stadium. Who are you guys going to play?

Speaker 3: 22:36

We play Dripping Springs at noon at Highlander. We hope to see you all there.

Speaker 1: 22:40

Guys, thank you so much for being here today. I literally cannot wait for this season to start.

Speaker 5: 22:45

Go Scots.

Speaker 1: 22:47

That's been another episode of the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson and I'll see you next time.