There are many top-notch high school lacrosse players across the country, so in that respect, Mike Johnson is no one special.

Colleges are pursuing many of those same players, so Johnson isn't alone in that respect.

But there's one variable that separates the Seneca Valley defender from the rest of the pack: He's just a sophomore.

Johnson, 16, was a key contributor to the Raiders' 2004 campaign. The team finished the regular season with a 14-8 record, 7-0 against Division II competition.

The Raiders made it to the quarterfinal round of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Lacrosse Association playoffs, where they lost to Shady Side Academy Thursday.

Several colleges have expressed interest in Johnson's services once his high school days are over.

"Robert Morris, Washington and Jefferson, Wooster (Ohio), Denison (Ohio), St. Vincent - they've all talked to me about Mike's abilities," said Seneca Valley coach Wayne Jaeckle.

"But since he's a sophomore, they can't just come in and recruit him like they could a senior," the coach added. "They'll come watch him play, ask me a few questions and then send him things through the mail on their school and lacrosse program.

Johnson is aware colleges are watching him closely, but tries not to let it affect his play.

"I think about it sometimes, just knowing they're there watching me," Johnson said. "But I just have to play my game. You can't worry about who's watching you."

Johnson played on the varsity squad last season as a freshman. That's when Jaeckle became interested in his play.

"I noticed right away that he had good stick skills," Jaeckle said. "But the most important thing was his size and speed. I believe he's 6-foot-3 and about 190 (pounds).

"When we need the ball, many times we'll wait until the opposing team passes to a weaker player," said Jaeckle. "Then we'll send Mike after him, and he just strips it. It's that easy sometimes."

Johnson, who took up the game in seventh grade, has many of the qualities some players don't display until their junior or senior year.

"He's excellent on ground balls now, and he plays within his means with his checks," said Jaeckle.

"Some players get out of position going after a stick check, but Mike doesn't. He's very disciplined in that respect," the coach added.

Johnson's scoring stats were modest this year: zero goals and three assists. But scoring isn't what the Raiders need him to do.

"Keeping the other team out of your net, that's the driving force behind any defensive player," said Johnson.

But there's always room for improvement.

"He's still got some baby fat on him," said Jaeckle. "I'd like to see him hit the weights over the next two years. That would make him even quicker on his feet."

"As you get older, you have to mature as a player," said Johnson. "Learn from your mistakes and listen to your coaches.

"I'll be attending a lacrosse camp this summer in Grove City," added Johnson. "They'll split everyone up on to teams, let us go out and play to show what we've got."

Johnson's improvement has coincided with his team's improvement.

It's not that the Raiders weren't good last season; they were, winning the WPSLA Division III crown.

Last year's championship catapulted Seneca into Division II play this season.

The Raiders breezed through D-II play before the playoffs began.

"We knew we were good last year," said Johnson. "And we knew we could beat the better teams. We've just got to prove it this season, proving that last year wasn't a fluke."