🤫 PLL CHAMP SERIES SECRETS

Every binge-able TV series needs an element of the unknown, and the 2024 PLL Championship Series is no exception.

Before diving into five reasons you should tune in on television, we want to share a secret with those of you who have tickets and will attend Champ Series at The St. James in Washington, D.C. this week: The Script Hat is back!

Here’s a look at the five hats we’re bringing to Champ Series:

If you’re attending Champ Series, make sure you stop by our Stick Doctor’s office. Come snag a hat while we tune up your twig — and don’t wait, because in the past these hats have sold out quick!

Okay, now it’s time to share some secrets…

1️⃣ Ricky Miezan

On paper, the California Redwoods have the most exciting Sixes roster at the 2024 Championship Series. They’re headlined by Romar Dennis, who won the Golden Stick Award with the Atlas last year, but they also have three guys who played Sixes for Team USA in 2022 (Brian Tevlin, Ryan Tierney and Jack Kelly).

That experience will be key, but the secret weapon in the mix is former Stanford linebacker Ricky Miezan. The 6-2, 235-pound athlete was the No. 1 lacrosse recruit in the country as a junior in high school, but he spent most of his college athletic career playing Power Five football.

Last spring, Miezan transferred to Virginia and returned to the lacrosse field. He immediately contributed for one of the best teams in the country, finishing the season with nine points (7G, 2A). His impact in the midfield rotation helped the Cavaliers reach Championship Weekend.

Heading into the 2024 season, however, the NCAA denied Miezan eligibility for a second season of lacrosse at Virginia. He effectively became a free agent, and the Redwoods scooped him up for Champ Series.

Miezan will make his Sixes debut on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. It will be fascinating to see whether he can hang with the best lacrosse players on the planet in the fastest version of the sport.

2️⃣ Attackmen on Defense

Who’s been working on their defensive skills? That’s a secret we’ll find out this week, as the back-and-forth nature of Sixes will force traditional attackmen into potentially uncomfortable defensive situations at Champ Series.

We all saw what happened to Michael Sowers when he got stuck on defense at the All-Star game…

Being 5-foot-9, 165 lbs. is great when you’re a shifty attackman who mostly dodges from X, but the Waterdogs will also need Sowers to hold his own on the defensive side of the ball in Sixes.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you’ve got Asher Nolting stepping into a two-way role for the Cannons. He’s 6-foot-2, 210 lbs. and not known for his end-to-end speed. Will there be any time for his signature “Too Small” celebration now that he has to high-tail it back to the defensive end?

It’ll be captivating to watch guys like Sowers, Nolting, Rob Pannell (Redwoods) and Marcus Holman (Cannons) play Sixes for this reason.

3️⃣ Unusual Shorties

Everyone uses a short stick in Sixes, but that doesn’t mean traditional long sticks aren’t invited to play at Champ Series.

Jon Robbins is back and doing it again for the Archers this year, but what will Ethan Rall (Cannons) and Garrett Epple (Redwoods) look like playing with short sticks? This remains a total mystery…

Here’s a sneak peek at Epple from practice on Monday:

Epple was the 2023 PLL Defensive Player of the Year, and Ethan Rall was one of the league’s best long-stick midfielders as an undrafted rookie. Will either one be as impactful with a stick that is half the size?

This secret will be exposed early on.

4️⃣ Under-The-Radar Archers

The Utah Archers may be the defending PLL Champions, but their Sixes roster will look much different than the one we saw last summer. Two stashed-away secrets they’ve been hiding are Nate Solomon and Ronan Jacoby.

Neither Solomon nor Jacoby has ever played in a PLL game, but they have the potential to be dynamic in Sixes. Solomon was a highlight machine at Syracuse and balled out for Team Israel at the 2023 World Championships in San Diego last summer.

Here’s one of my all-time favorite Solomon clips from ‘Cuse:

Meanwhile, Jacoby is a former Division III All-American (Wesleyan) who transferred to Rutgers and registered 48 points (37 goals, 11 assists) for the Scarlett Knights during the 2022 season. He’s a smooth, gliding lefty with an absolute sniper of a shot.

Remember who told you about these secret weapons when they’re lighting up the scoreboard for the Archers this week!

5️⃣ Frank The Tank

This secret has nothing to do with anything on the field, but we’re hearing that Frank Fleming — AKA “Frank The Tank” from Barstool — will be in attendance at Champ Series.

Hopefully, Frank gets an ESPN interview from the Bar Down Lounge with Doogs and is able to answer the age-old question: “Who should the MVP should’ve been?”

📺 Champ Series TV & Streaming Info

If you’re watching the 2024 PLL Championship Series from home, here’s the full broadcast schedule for the week:

Happy watching!