Lacrosse season is underway in Lexington County as local teams line up across each other in the early-season slate. 

Unlike other sports, lacrosse teams jump right into region play at the start of the season. This gives teams little room for error before having to fight for playoff positioning. 

River Bluff enters this week on top of the boys and girls standings. The two Gator teams are off to a combined (9-1) start this season with some key wins under their belts. 

The Gator boys started the year with a perfect (5-0) record. The team defeated Region rivals Dutch Fork and Spring Valley last week and has another full slate ahead. 

River Bluff saw some massive performances from some of its top players in those wins. Against Dutch Fork, Banks Smith scored five goals and added two assists. Michael Shields won every face-off he took, going 18-18 in the win. 

Against Spring Valley, it was Jackson Register's turn to shine. He had 10 total points, scoring seven goals and adding three assists. On the defensive side of the ball, it was a dominant group effort as the Gators held their competition to just two goals all game. 

River Bluff, (2-0) in conference games, holds a slight lead over Lexington, which is (1-0) in conference. The two will not play until April, meaning when they do meet, the standings could look completely different. 

While not in the region race just yet, Chapin is another team to watch for this season. The Eagles started the year (3-1) overall and play their first conference games this week. 

On the girls side, River Bluff is off to a (4-1) start. The Gators and Lexington are neck-and-neck in the district standings after they each won their first two games. 

River Bluff knocked off Dutch Fork and Spring Valley, while Lexington got wins over White Knoll and Dutch Fork. 

Unlike the boys teams, River Bluff and Lexington will meet much earlier in the season. The Gators and Wildcats will play each other this Thursday at Lexington. The Wildcats are defending state and district champions, and the Gators are looking to dethrone them. 

Chapin is the only other team in the district to start the year 0.500 or better through the first few games. Dutch Fork, Irmo and White Knoll are a combined 1-10, with the only win coming from the Silver Foxes. 

While there can be a lot to take away from these first few games, it is still very early in the season. Teams that started strong could slip, and the teams struggling from the jump could turn things around. 

These next few weeks of games will reveal a lot more as teams in and out of Lexington County find their footing. 

The high school lacrosse regular season runs through mid-April, and then the playoffs begin. Lexington County teams have won the past two girls lacrosse titles, and there is a decent chance to make it three in a row. A boys team has not made the title game since Dutch Fork in 2018. 

Upcoming games to watch 

Chapin vs. White Knoll boys - March 12

Lexington vs. River Bluff girls - March 12

River Bluff at Greenbrier (GA) boys - March 14

Dutch Fork vs. Irmo girls - March 16

Last week’s scoreboard 

Chapin boys - Nation Ford (14-9, W)

Chapin girls - Oceanside Collegiate (15-6, L)

Dutch Fork boys - River Bluff (13-6, L), Nation Ford (13-8, L), Blythewood (13-10, L)

Dutch Fork girls - River Bluff (16-5, L), Lexington (23-7, L)

Lexington boys - White Knoll (14-3, W)

Lexington girls - White Knoll (22-1, W), Dutch Fork (23-7, W)

River Bluff boys - Dutch Fork (13-6, W), Spring Valley (21-2, W)

River Bluff girls - Dutch Fork (16-5, W), Spring Valley (17-1, W), Clover (11-4, W)

White Knoll boys - Lexington (14-3, L), Wade Hampton (9-7, L)

White Knoll girls - Lexington (22-1, L) 

Gilbert boys - Aiken (10-0, W), Fountain Inn (15-9, L)

Irmo girls - Blythewood (29-4, L), Fountain Inn (11-5, L), Academic Magnet (26-3, L)