Bishop Guertin's Brady Dumont (6) is part of a Cardinal offense that has plenty of firepower going into the Division I tournament. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

(Editor’s Note: The Telegraph is taking a look in four parts at how the upcoming baseball, softball, boys and girls lacrosse high school state tournaments could shape up, ahead of the pairings being announced. Today: Boys and girls lacrosse.)

It’s likely not a matter of if. It’s not even a matter of when.

We know that the Divison I, II, and III boys lacrosse finals are Sunday, June 11 at Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium.

And we know the 15-3, top seeded Bishop Guertin High School boys lacrosse team will be there. And probably win.

As they say, you never know for sure, that’s why they play the games, etc. etc. But in today’s world of New Hampshire Division I boys lacrosse, the Cardinals are about as sure a bet as it gets.

The question is, who could they face? Exeter, the likely second seed? Old rival Pinkerton, which used to be the other half of the sure thing, facing BG regularly in the finals? Or how about Merrimack, which is having perhaps its best season ever?

That’s not the only question going into the lacrosse postseason. In Division II, Hollis Brookline, Alvirne and Souhegan will be in, and the Campbell Cougars are hoping to get a shot at the Division III title that eluded them a year ago.

There will be prelims next Thursday in Division II and III because of a higher number of teams than Division I. Quarterfinals are next Saturday, the semis on Wednesday, June 7 at Stellos Stadium (Division II), Exeter’s Bill Ball Stadium (Division I) and Laconia’s Bank of NH Stadium (Division III) and the finals all at Exeter on Sunday, June 11 beginning with Division I at 2:30 p.m.

Here’s a look:

DIVISON I

The Cards made a statement with a win over nationally ranked Boston College High last weekend.

“They’ve got great offense, great defense, great faceoffs,” B.C. High coach Marcus Craigwell said. “They’re a solid team.”

They put 20 goals on the Eagles, and they have scorers like Connor Guibord, Brad Dumont, Connor Bouvier, etc. “That shows how explosive we can be,” Cameron said.

“Hopefully this is our identity…Everyone has a role, everyone has embraced their role.”

Merrimack could reach the Final Four for what has to be the first time, if not one of the first, but they’ll likely have to beat a Bedford team in the quarterfinals that beat them 15-5 just last week. But under head coach Brian Miller, it’s a simple approach.

“We’re just trying to get better every day,” Miller said a few weeks ago. “Our team offense has improved, we’re passing the ball really well. We spend a lot of time on it, various skills that set us up in spots that are similar to what we see in games.”

Kyle Dunn and Jackson Forbes can score, but beware of four-year standout midfield Reimello Hyde, he is not someone you want to tangle with.

Exeter is the likely second seed and the Blue Hawks, if they’re healthy, would be the favorite to reach the finals for the third straight year.

Nashua North, as the season was winding down, was hoping to get in as well, led by senior Jack Peters. But they apparently fell short at 5-13, which is a shame because that would have been a major accomplishment for a program that has struggled the last few years.

THE PICK: BG over Exeter.

DIVISON II

This is Portsmouth’s and Derryfield’s world, but the locals could make a little noise, and two will likely play each other in the first round. Hollis Brookline (10-7) has had a bounce-back season, was looking for double figures in wins, and has standout scorer Ben Dufoe. Souhegan (9-7) is enjoying its first season after years of being in Divison I, led by players like Aiden McGrath, Cole Manning, and A.J. Hawkes. McGrath has 19 goals over the last seven games.

It would be a good matchup in Hollis on Thursday. Souhegan beat the Cavs 9-6, also at HB, back on May 2.

It’s been a good season for Alvirne, which rode a five-game winning streak to be a likely tourney team at 8-8, possibly at Oyster River-Newmarket in the first round. The Broncos have scorers like Garrett Hall, Brody Orr and Jon Santana, and will rely on Joey Ribeck to win faceoffs.

All are in the middle of the pack, and will try to fight their way as far as they can go.

THE PICK: Portsmouth over Derryfield.

DIVISION III

If you wanted a preview of what could be a final, or at least a semi, you had to be at the classic Bow-Campbell game just over a week ago, won 9-8 by the top-ranked Falcons, who were looking at mid-week to finish the regular season unbeaten.

The No. 2, 13-2 Cougars’ lone losses were to the two teams they’ll likely have to get by to win a title: Pelham and Bow. They certainly weren’t happy after losing 8-1 to Pelham, but head coach Josh Knight was more encouraged after the team gave Bow a real battle after falling behind 4-0.

“It’s good to know we can compete with this (Bow) team,” Knight said. “We (only) let up two goals in the second half.”

Remember, last year the Cougars were looking like a certain champion after mowing through the regular season, but Laconia shocked them in the semis. This year’s team is now coming from the underdog perspective, but has plenty of athletes and a dynamic offensive player in Andrew Willnus.

“Obviously I’m biased, but I think he’s the best offensive player, at least in Division III,” Knight said.

It should be an interesting tourney.

THE PICK: Campbell over Bow. Redemption.

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