Final Record and Result: 6-4, lost in Championship game
Draft Choices: 1.7, 3.4, 3.7, 3.8
Notable Free Agents:
Jake Bernhardt, M
Kyle Bernlohr, G
Mike Chanenchuk, M
Wheaton Jackoboice, SSDM
Brett Kennedy, D
Alex Mazzone, D/LSM
Tim Muller, D
Roman Puglise, SSDM
Colin Squires, LSM
Zed Williams, A
SEASON RECAP
The Whips started the year with a lot of question marks. Following the retirements of Michael Ehrhardt, Tyler Warner, and Brian Phipps, plus the trade of Bryce Young and Connor Kirst, the Whips were clearly a team in flux entering 2024. Their clear captain and leader retired in Ehrhardt, they effectively lose an additional coach in Phipps, they lose a “5th pole” level shorty in Warner. Plus, Brad Smith was set to miss the year following knee surgery. Questions abound. Who would be the leader? Are the 2nd year players ready to take over? Is a team that had been the pinnacle of success in the PLL finally in a rebuild?
Early on in the year, it looked like the plan clearly was a rebuild year. They dropped their first two games of the year, and went 2-4 in the first six weeks. Rookie TJ Malone had been excellent, but otherwise the offense struggled to be consistent. In the second half of the season things came together. A major turning point was their homecoming weekend in Baltimore. They won both games, the second with a short bench, on extremely hot days in the Baltimore sun. Joe Nardella kept the ball with the Whips, they played efficient offense, and notched wins against the Waterdogs and Cannons that gave them a winning record and a playoff berth. The momentum grew from there, as rookies like Adam Poitras and Levi Anderson, who they acquired on the cheap from the Woods, further bolstered the offense with energy. Zed Williams played like his usual self, the defense found its footing thanks to the leadership of Matt Dunn and the communication of Tim Muller, while rookie Ajax Zappitello played like a #1 cover man. The acquisition of Ryan Conrad took the offense to another level, enabling single invert sets and pick games below or at GLE that were a nightmare to guard.
The Whips hit the last few weeks of the season, and the playoffs, very much as the “nobody wants to play us” type of team. After being the Outlaws in the quarters, they played an instant classic against the Atlas. They fell behind multiple times, but were never all the way out of it thanks to play from their veterans. Their first lead of the game came at 12-11, after Anderson scored a game winner in OT. Krebs was big in the biggest moments, Malone was a force, Poitras looked like a budding star, the rookies were not playing like rookies. Ultimately the run came to an end in the title game against Archers, but the Whips season was clearly successful.
OFF SEASON PLAN
The 2024 Whipsnakes were ahead of schedule. Even in the PLL, teams don’t just lose their leaders, Hall of Famers, throw in some late round rookies and go to the title game. And that’s without Smith and Tucker Dordevic, who only really played three and a half games. The experience gained by the rookies this year is deeply valuable.
Stagnitta made some savvy trades this season. They acquired Levi Anderson and Ryan Conrad for a 4th round and 2nd round pick, respectively. That said, their draft capital is still excellent. They traded Jackson Morrill to the Archers for a 3rd round pick, and Morrill is now a free agent; the Whips could even sign him back. They own the Cannons third round pick thanks to the deal that sent Connor Kirst and Bryce Young to Boston. So the Whips have four selections, one at the end of the first round, and three in the third round. Considering their third round pick last year just won Rookie of the Year, stockpiling selections has them in a good spot, particularly if they decide to use some of those picks to move up.
The free agent list is short. A question for the offseason is, how do the Whips continue to manage the transition of leadership roles from their vets to the younger players. Muller was an integral part of the defense this year. As a communicator and organizer, he’s underrated, but incredibly important. One of those key defenders who you don’t really notice until they aren’t in there, and the team defense suffers. Bernlohr’s role as a mentor for Krebs and another coach on the sideline was also invaluable, similar to the role Brian Phipps has played for this team in the past. Keeping those veterans around still has value, even if their role is different. The question is, will they all come back? Bernhardt, Bernlohr, and Chanenchuk are all college coaches. Bernhardt is 35, Chanenchuk is 34, Bernlohr is 32. One more run with this veteran core could make the torch passing to the young guys go very smoothly, setting up the Whips for even more sustained success.