The Underdogs Who Shocked Naptown: Mad Dog 2027 Gold’s Title Run

The Naptown National Challenge has become one of the premier events on the summer lacrosse calendar. It's where top club teams battle it out for national recognition, more recruiting opportunities and exposure, and ESPN broadcast time, an honor few summer tournaments can claim.   This year's 2027 championship delivered a memorable storyline and a dramatic finish. The title went to Mad Dog National Gold, a team that is considered to be the “B Team” within the Mad Dog program. In a tournament packed with elite national squads, their run to the championship was nothing short of remarkable.   The turning point came in the semifinals, when Gold pulled off a stunning 5-4 upset over their top-ranked “Double-A” counterparts, Mad Dog National Black. That win sent shockwaves through the tournament. Mad Dog Black was the No. 1 team in the 2027 class last year, coming off a dominant 22–2 season and a championship at the 2024 Naptown Challenge. With star power like George Caldroney (IMG Academy), JT Cross (Valor Christian), and Bodhi Harmon (Culver Academy), they were heavy favorites to repeat as champions.   But Gold's grit and structure carried them past their more heralded teammates. It was a win that highlighted the Mad Dog program's unmatched depth and internal competitiveness.   In the final, Mad Dog Gold faced Next Level 2027 Blue, the No. 2 team in the country. Based in the DMV region, Next Level is a true club program, not a national all-star team like many others at Naptown. Most of their players on the roster come from the DMV area. That makes their run to the championship even more impressive, as they took down several nationally assembled squads along the way.   Next Level's brand of disciplined, system-driven lacrosse kept them competitive throughout the tournament. Their balanced midfield, strong team defense, and unselfish offense helped them control games and grind out wins.   The championship showdown between Mad Dog Gold and Next Level Blue was tight throughout. Played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and broadcast live on ESPN platforms, it was a showcase for the sport's future stars. Mad Dog Gold led 4-3 heading into the fourth quarter, and at one point in the fourth quarter, the score was 4-4, but Mad Dog Gold made enough plays down the stretch to seal the victory at 7-5, capping off a true underdog story.   This year's Naptown Challenge reaffirmed its status as the top summer event in club lacrosse. Between the national spotlight, elite competition, and recruiting stakes, it continues to be the ultimate proving ground, and Mad Dog Gold just proved that anything is possible.    Emmett Lee, a crafty lefty attackman from Lake Forest, Illinois, made a major impact on the biggest stage of the summer. He scored two crucial goals in the Naptown National Championship game, helping lead his team to the title. Lee's combination of quickness, scoring ability, and relentless motor makes him a dangerous threat every time he touches the ball. While he's already a lethal finisher, his continued growth as a passer and field general has elevated his overall game. With a sharp lacrosse IQ and an instinctive feel for space, Lee is proving himself as a consistent and dynamic offensive force.     Codaway Gross, a midfielder from Loyola (CA), is a high-level athlete who plays with speed and power. A true downhill dodger, Gross consistently gets defenses rotating with his explosive first step and ability to attack from up top. His athleticism makes him a nightmare in one-on-one matchups, where he creates separation and draws slides with ease. Gross delivered in the biggest moments this summer, scoring a key goal in the Naptown National Championship to help lead his team to the title. He brings energy, toughness, and a relentless dodging presence to the midfield.     Heston Halesworth, a 6-foot midfielder from Don Bosco (NJ), was a key contributor in his team's Naptown National Championship victory, scoring two goals in the title game. A fantastic athlete, Halesworth consistently draws the opponent's LSM, proof of how dangerous he is with the ball. He's a pure two-way midfielder who excels in transition and brings great pace to the game. He has a great ability to shoot on the run and stretch defense from the outside, he adds a dynamic scoring element from up top, and plays with confidence and intensity in big moments.     Carmine Antonini, a midfielder from Loyola (CA), made a major impact in the Naptown National Championship, scoring two goals to help lead his team to the title. A fantastic athlete with a strong north-south dodging style, Antonini is a matchup nightmare for both LSMs and short-stick defensive midfielders. He attacks with speed and purpose, creating separation with ease and putting constant pressure on opposing defenses. With a very powerful outside shot with both hands and the ability to shoot on the run, Antonini adds a dynamic scoring punch from the midfield and plays with the kind of edge that elevates his team in high-stakes moments.     Riley Shiner, a midfielder from The Heights School (VA), showcased his skill and explosiveness on the biggest stage, scoring a goal in the Naptown National Championship and making one of the highlight plays of the tournament. On that play, Shiner executed an elite toe-drag dodge through traffic that led directly to a goal, an incredible display of his craftiness, footwork, and advanced stick skills. A fantastic athlete with a north-south dodging style, he's a nightmare matchup for any LSM or defensive midfielder. Shiner is a true two-handed threat who can beat defenders off the dodge, shoot with range on the run, and consistently stretch the defense with his scoring ability.     [player_tooltip player_id='129878' first='Chase' last='Spahr'], a 6'3 left-handed midfielder from Good Counsel High School in Maryland, delivered a standout performance in the Naptown National Championship, contributing a crucial goal for his team. He's a crafty and explosive dodger who can generate offense both with the ball in his stick and as a finisher off-ball. Spahr's speed allows him to blow past defenders, and he is particularly effective at creating separation. He's comfortable initiating from up top and thrives in transition, where he can take advantage of unsettled situations. Spahr has the tools to become a high-level playmaker at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='128981' first='Rex' last='Adamson'], a 6-foot attackman from Wisconsin who plays his high school ball at Georgetown Prep, delivered in a big moment with a key goal in the Naptown National Championship. He is a poised and athletic attackman who thrives as the leader of an offense, directing play and creating opportunities for himself and his teammates. He's effective initiating from multiple spots on the field, but is especially impactful operating from X or the high righty wing, where his footwork and change of direction allow him to keep defenders guessing. He plays with a relentless, attack-first mentality that forces defenses to stay alert at all times, challenging both his matchup and the sliding unit behind it. As he continues to gain reps at a high level for Prep, his game is expected to become even more refined, developing his off-hand, improving his vision, and accelerating his processing speed. Adamson is a name to watch moving forward.     Jacob Carl, a left-handed attackman from St. John's College Prep, brings a composed and crafty presence to the offensive end. He plays with excellent poise and field awareness, often operating with precision from X or the left wing. Carl has a smooth handle and a natural scoring touch, consistently finding ways to finish inside or deliver timely feeds to cutting teammates. He scored a big goal in the Naptown National Championship, stepping up in a big moment to help his team. His lacrosse IQ and ability to read defenses make him a reliable playmaker, and his lefty release adds a great threat for any offense. Carl is a smart, skilled attackman who plays within himself and elevates those around him.     [player_tooltip player_id='121035' first='Tripp' last='Silva'], a 6-foot left-handed attackman from Landon School (MD), made a strong impact in the Naptown National Championship, recording two key assists for his team. Silva is a skilled and savvy playmaker who thrives with the ball in his stick, using his vision and patience to pick apart defenses. His size and skill set, especially as a lefty, makes him a tough cover at X or on the wing, where he can operate as both a feeder and a scoring threat. With a high lacrosse IQ and a calm presence under pressure, Silva consistently creates opportunities for his teammates and adds a balanced, unselfish dynamic to the offense.

The Naptown National Challenge has become one of the premier events on the summer lacrosse calendar. It's where top club teams battle it out for national recognition, more recruiting opportunities and exposure, and ESPN broadcast time, an honor few summer tournaments can claim.