JEFFERSON TWP — On the surface, the Mars boys lacrosse program appears short on experience and long on youth.

There is only one senior on the roster and the burgeoning program is just three years old.

But looks can be deceiving.

“They had more experience coming into high school than I had coming out of high school,” said first-year Mars coach Ed Monahan, who played in high school at Shaler and went on to play college lacrosse in Wheeling, W.Va. “It's weird. But it's great.”

Monahan didn't start playing until he was in the eighth grade. Just about all of the players on his roster began playing by the time they were in the sixth grade.

“It's great to see the growth in the sport and everyone who is getting involved in it,” Monahan said. “I think (Mars) has one of the best youth lacrosse programs in western Pennsylvania.”

And it has shown in the early success of the program.

The Planets went 7-7 in their first season and 10-6 last year in their second, both under head coach Justin Karam, who is now the coach of the Butler boys lacrosse program.

Monahan was an assistant under Karam last season and took over the reins this season.

Mars closed out the 2015 regular season with a 19-3 rout of Knoch Wednesday night and carry an 11-5 record into the WPIAL Division II postseason, which begins next week.

The Planets have made the playoffs each season of their existence.

But they want more.

“The expectation has always been to get a WPIAL championship ever since freshman year,” said junior attacker Zac Sicher. “We felt we've had a good group and we've been working hard to get there.”

Sicher, who led the Planets with four goals against Knoch Wednesday, started playing in the sixth grade after breaking his arm and giving up baseball.

Sicher grew up playing with many of his teammates, which has aided the team chemistry greatly.

“All of the juniors and a lot of the sophomores, I've played with for three years (before high school),” Sicher said.

That has made Monahan's job even easier, he said.

“By the time they get to us, it's really just fine tuning,” Monahan said.

Mars has also received an influx of freshmen talent this season.

The meshing of the two groups has been seamless, said junior attacker Blake Thompson.

“The freshman class has actually been playing since they were in the third grade,” Thompson said. “We started working together as early as February in conditioning and getting to know each other better. Everyone has their talents and knows the best way they can help this team and everyone is willing to do what it takes.”

Thompson and Mars are hoping to take the next step.

A big win over Hampton and Quaker Valley, who Mars will share the Section 4 title with, has Mars thinking it can make a run in the playoffs.

“The goal is no longer to just make the playoffs,” Thompson said. “It's to win a championship.

“It's been a team effort to get where we are now,” Thompson added. “We're just so excited. Three years now we've made the playoffs and that's just awesome. Hopefully this year we can go a bit farther and win a championship.”