Deep Run's Colin Kleine (left) knocks the ball away from Douglas Freeman's Dan Copeland during the Wildcats' win Saturday. Deep Run High School has given its lacrosse opponents a sneak preview for the 2009 season.

The two-word scouting report: Look out.

The Wildcats -- with club rather than varsity status -- won the Richmond Area Lacrosse League last spring with a 12-0 record.

It could be more of the same this spring, based on their performance in the Blue Sky Fund Charity Tournament last Saturday at the University of Richmond.

"Our kids have an incredible passion for lacrosse," coach Doug Shaver said. "They're already chomping at the bit for spring."

Minus seven starters from a season ago, the supposedly rebuilding Wildcats posted victories over Hanover, Atlee and Douglas Freeman.

An anticipated finale vs. West End (hybrid of athletes from various schools) was canceled due to darkness.

Lacrosse has long been a popular sport in Virginia among private schools. Now, it's spilling over to the public sector.

"We're expecting about 80 boys to try out for JV and high school teams this February," Shaver said. "That's a huge number."

Deep Run's lacrosse athletes commonly play other sports. The Wildcats' lineup Saturday included midfielder Patrick Gallagher, a football linebacker.

Other lacrosse players are year-round devotees to a sport originated, centuries ago, by the Algonquin, Iroquois and other Native American tribes in Canada.

Saturday's round-robin activity just whetted the appetite for many. The next day, a local contingent called The Army of Darkness traveled to the Baltimore suburbs for a high school showcase tournament.

That same group of athletes from numerous schools will compete Nov. 23 in Bel Air, Md.