2025 Maryland Whipsnakes Season Preview

2024 Record: 6-4, lost in Championship

Notable Departures: Kyle Bernlohr (retired), Mike Chanenchuk (retired), Wheaton Jackoboice (retired), Garrett Leadmon (retired), Zed Williams (trade)

Notable Additions: Rob Pannell (free agent), Matt Brandau (trade), John DeFazio (free agent)

Draft Picks: Aidan Carroll, Emmet Carroll, Christian Mazur, Scott Smith

The Whips roster hasn’t changed a ton. And it doesn’t need to. It’s a group that, despite seeming to lose key guys to retirement every year (including four retirees this year), always ends up back in the mix on the last day of the season. It probably has something to do with the guy coaching on the sideline. Coach Jim Stagnitta flexed his GM muscles a year ago. He acquired Levi Anderson for what ended up being the second to last pick in the draft. Anderson became a 19 man fixture, and he hit the OT game winner in the semifinals for the Whips. He got the Rookie of the Year in round three in TJ Malone, and a plug and play offensive threat in Adam Poitras. Reports from camp are that Poitras could develop into an all star level player in year two, fresh off a remarkable indoor season. 

The questions coming into the season are almost all on the offensive side of the ball. Zed Williams was the team’s second highest scoring player last year, and led the team in goals. He was dealt to the Waterdogs in the offseason, and Matt Brandau came back in return. That on it’s own made sense, then the Whips also signed Rob Pannell. They’re in a position where they have TJ Malone, Matt Rambo, Pannell, Levi Anderson, and Matt Brandau. Two of those players have to play out of position, which could be challenging. They’re already light on natural middies with Dordevic set to miss the beginning of the year as he continues to work back from injury last summer, and Ryan Conrad on the PUP list. Mike Chanenchuk’s retirement creates more openings. Making the pieces fit on offense, and fit quickly, is important for the Whips. Aidan Carroll will have to be productive right away as middie.

The close defense of Dunn, Muller, and Zappitello is outstanding, and Colin Squires could easily have been up for LSM of the Year. Christian Mazur is a great addition to the defensive midfield, and Emmet Carroll replaces the retired Kyle Bernlohr. Brendan Krebs was good enough to be the starter for a team that made the title game, Carroll can still push for time. Salisbury’s John DeFazio made the team out of camp to glowing reviews. He can push for time in the 19 man roster on a regular basis with his wing play and versatility in coverage. 

The Whips were in the title game a year ago, but it’s not necessarily a foregone conclusion they return. Zed Williams was a major part of their success a year ago, and he was dealt to Philly in the offseason. As long as Stagnitta is on the sideline, they’ve got a chance to be there on the last day. But this offensive personnel group may need a little more tinkering than we’re used to seeing. 

Best Case Scenario

The right buttons get pushed from day one, and the Whips have a clear three starters at attack. The players who move to midfield embrace the role and have immediate success. Along with Aidan Carroll stretching defenses from range and pushing to draw a pole early one, the Whipsnakes offense gels and is cohesive right away. The absence of Dordevic and Conrad early has minimal impact, and their return later in the year turns the Whips into a deep, versatile, matchup nightmare of an offense. The defense continues to play to standard, and welcomes rookie Scott Smith into the fold. Mazur and Kyle Aldridge join Roman Puglise to make defending the midfield easier. Stagnitta wins Coach of the Year and the Whips are once again a clear choice to make a run for the title.

Worst Case Scenario

The offense sputters. Pannell, Rambo, and Malone struggle to coexist, but none are natural midfield fits. Anderson and Brandau look like they’d be more comfortable at attack, but there isn’t any room for them. It results in a messy, inconsistent unit that not even Stagnitta can fix. The close defense starts to show age, and Smith is called on to do too much too soon. Krebs has a down start to the year, which results in fans calling for a switch to the newly drafted Carroll. All over the field, personnel questions get louder every week. The Whipsnakes struggle to a .500ish record, and exit the playoffs in the first round.