The father and son duo of Bishop Guertin boys lacrosse coach Chris Cameron, left, and son Brian, are switching roles, with Cameron staying on as an assistant as Brian begins his first season as Cards' head coach. (Photo courtesy of Bishop Guertin HS)

There’s a big sideline change in local high school boys lacrosse.

Yes, Chris Cameron will still likely be on the Bishop Guertin sidelines. But he’ll be answering to his son, Brian, who is the new Cardinals head coach as the baton was passed this past fall.

There is a complete change for last year’s other champion, Campbell, as Josh Knight left to be the AD at Dover and now it’s Harrison Urda’s team.

Nashua North and South will look to improve, and Merrimack will be a tough team to beat as well in Division I. But Guertin is, well, Guertin.

Here’s a look:

DIVISION I

The Cards have a roster once again that is loaded, but there is one player that basically makes it all click: Faceoff man Paulo Vazquez.

“We will dominate possession due to having one of the top faceoff guys in the country,” Brian Cameron said.

There are some newcomers who will add to the mix in sophomore defenseman Andre Steinbrueck, junior goalie Jona Feliciano, and two freshmen: defenseman/long stick midfielder Tom Clancy and attack/midfielder Jack Redfern.

“It’s an experienced and deep group offensively that plays well together,” Cameron said. “Defensively we have a tough and skilled group. Although young, as the season does on this unit has potential to be one of the best defenses we have had.”

South was very young last year but that is changing. Three key seniors and three key juniors are back: senior goalie Jake Lynn, defenseman Andrew Convery and midfielder Broden Landsteiner; juniors are long stick middie Tyler Benzekri, attack Owen Roy and midfielder Cody Jackson. Watch too for freshman Chase Rioux (defense) and Joe Kudla (midfield).

“We’re looking forward to building what we had last year,” Will DeLanoy said. “We are an older group this year and looking to lean on senior leadership to support the younger players. … This group is eager to compete and show their growth since last season.”

Nashua North will be young with only three seniors – midfielders Patrick Shaw and Andrew Cullinane, plus defenseman Jevon Anson. Junior keys are attack Nick Wilkinson, defenseman Jack Krulikowski and midfielder Dylan Noble. Sophomore Josh Parsons will likely be in goal. There are also three freshmen who could contribute: midfielders Jared Gauthier and Brody Gagnon, plus attack Nico Bottari.

“We have 12 freshmen but only three have played before so our JV team will be getting a great opportunity to get game reps,” Titans coach Matt Muser said. “Our varsity will have a solid first string but the depth will be tested later on in the season and later in games as well.”

Merrimack has experience in 14 seniors and even better, five of them have played since their MYA days beginning in the first grade.

Key returners are senior midfieders Max Giles and Henry Tobin, senior defensemen Colby Smith and Beau Lamontagne, junior defenseman Gavin Hickey, and junior goalie Mason Tremblay.

“We’re looking to a large junior/senior class to lead the team while it builds kills with its younger players,” ‘Hawks coach Brian Miller said, noting the team was hoping in the preseason to build depth and develop team chemistry.

DIVISION II

The Sabers of Souhegan have a new coach, Rich Luongo, who coached Algonquin Regional in Massachusetts a decade ago, but he has 20 years of experience and that has told him who his leaders are: seniors Louie Berlack (attack) and Jared Kershaw (defense), plus juniors Reid Kimball (defense) and Micah Dibble (defense).

“The team is working hard,” said Luongo, who was hired just a few weeks ago. “They’re focused on ramping up on the philosophy and the teammwork required to develop the individual person and the team.”

Mac Martin had a competitive team at Hollis Brookline in his first year at the Cavalier helm and that should continue led by seniors J.P. Torgersen (midfield) and Deegan Herrera (defense).

Four sophomores are a big part of the nucleus: midfielder Vittorio Masoni, defenseman Patrick Masoni, and attackmen Mike O’Hearn and Bennett Torgersen. Also, junior Dillon Kinney is a defensive anchor.

“We lost some key upperclassmen from last year’s team,” Martin said, “so our underclassmen will need to adjust to fill in some holes. … We have a lot of returners who gained experience last year, but this year their roles will need to change. I believe we’ll be a well-rounded team and it feels there’s more confidence within from a team last year with a lot of freshmen to now a team with more experience.”

Alvirne will be a younger team with three key returning seniors: Chris Darbe and Brody Orr at midfield and Connor Magovern on defense. Junior attackmen Logan Reynolds and Tommy Barrett are hoping to take the next step. Junior Mike Landmesser will anchor the defense and two goalies are competing for the starting job: Calbe Cloutier and Anthony Bouchard. Keep an eye on newcomers oe Sperazzo and first-year junior Quentin Tetrault.

“We have a lot of great attitudes and kids who are working really hard to take over starting roles,” Broncos coach Cam Debrusk said.

DIVISION III

The Spartans, after several years under Rick Urda, now have a new coach, Darren Fleury, who has a clear plan: Learn and play hard.

“We will have a younger roster again and our focus will be on improving throughout the season,” he said. “Our objectives are to learn, play hard and compete.”

Mitchell Broadhurst, a senior attackman, will help to bring some experience. Other key players include junior defenseman Jason Daykin, junior goalie Cassidy Brennen, and three sophomores: Dylan MacLeod, attack; Tyler Noble, middie/defense; and Braedon Orlen, midfielder. Keep an eye on freshmen Eben Barb (defense, long stick middie) and Rocco Bartling (goalie).

As for the defending champs,there was still a lot left in the cupboard as the Hershbergers were eligible to come back, as Scott (long stick middie) and Nick (defenseman) certainly could help. Senior attack Cruz Sandquist could be back, as well as junior Nathan Lencki, who was a backup last year on faceoffs and eligible to return, along with junior goalie Will O’Brien and others. The Cougars should still be a contender.