ADAMS TWP. — For Mars boys lacrosse coach Bob Marcoux, the destination is familiar.
But while the setting may be familiar, Marcoux believes this year’s team has carved its own unique path to the state final.
“We’ve been there before. We know how to prepare. We know what the practices should look like. We know what the travel routine is,” Marcoux said following practice Thursday evening. “A lot of these players have been through it as well.”
That experience extends beyond the players. Marcoux and his coaching staff have guided Mars through multiple deep playoff runs, including 10 WPIAL championships, and a state championship title, providing a steady hand as the Planets prepare for another shot at gold.
Still, Marcoux cautions against assuming previous success guarantees anything.
“Each year is different. Each team is different,” he said. “We’ve got to make sure that we go through our preparations and that we are ready.”
What gives Marcoux confidence is how his team has responded to adversity throughout the season.
“We’ve probably had six or seven really tight games,” he said. “I think those tight games have prepared us for some of the tight games we’ve already had. We’re a little bit more battle-tested than maybe some of the years past.”
Mars enters the state final with an 18-5 record after overcoming several regular-season setbacks and surviving a series of tight postseason contests. The Planets defeated Bethel Park 8-7, Hampton 15-9 and South Fayette 9-6 to win the WPIAL title before advancing through the state tournament with victories over Cocalico (15-5), Upper Dublin (10-8) and Lampeter-Strasburg (9-6).
That resilience has become one of the defining characteristics of the 2026 Mars squad.
Unlike some championship teams that rely heavily on a single standout player, this year’s Planets have found success through balance and depth. Throughout the postseason, different players have stepped into the spotlight when called upon.
“That’s been a hallmark of this team — it’s been a true team effort,” Marcoux said. “Every week somebody else has picked it up.”
The result is an offense that can attack opponents from multiple angles.
“There isn’t just one star,” Marcoux said. “We’ve got a lot of guys that you have to defend and have to worry about. If you take one or two guys away, the other four guys can still do it.”
That selfless approach has become part of the team’s identity.
“If one guy’s hot, we’ll continue to get him the ball,” Marcoux said. “They’re playing for each other. There’s no selfishness. The open guy’s going to get it, and it’s a great way to play lacrosse.”
Standing between Mars and another state title is a talented Penncrest team that represents the powerful Philadelphia-area brand of lacrosse.
While the opponent presents a challenge, Marcoux’s message to his team this week has been straightforward.
“It’s just keep doing what we’re doing,” he said. “We’ve been on a roll for the last month or so. Let’s keep doing those things that have made us successful.”
The veteran coach also believes his team is well-equipped to handle the pressure that comes with a state championship game.
“We’ve been under pressure now for a month,” Marcoux said. “We’ve learned how to deal with the pressure. We’ve learned how to deal with the nerves.”
That confidence has been reinforced by a senior class that has provided leadership throughout the season and helped younger players navigate the intensity of playoff lacrosse.
For Marcoux, bringing another championship back to Mars would be especially meaningful because of what this group has endured.
“This team especially has earned it,” he said. “They’ve worked really, really hard all season.”
The coach said this year’s seniors have faced adversity, responded to challenges and continued improving throughout the year.
“I’d love to see them go out as champions because they’ve earned it,” Marcoux said. “They’ve deserved it.”
As the Planets prepare to take the field Saturday, Marcoux believes the qualities that carried them through a demanding season — resilience, trust and unselfishness — will give them a chance to add another chapter to the program’s championship legacy.
For a team that has repeatedly answered the call in pressure-packed moments, the mission remains unchanged.
“They’re not going to be denied,” Marcoux said. “Every week, somebody has stepped up when we’ve needed them. That’s become our personality now.”
