They devoured Concord and Hanover, their first- and secondround playoff appetizers, but Pinkerton made them work for the main course.

Still, when the game clock hit all zeros at Stellos Stadium in Nashua on June 4, it was Bishop Guertin tasting its second Division I lacrosse title in four years. Guertin took a 14-11 bite out of the Astros after losing in the same contest the previous two seasons.

“We called it the sandwich year,” said head coach Chris Cameron, a Bedford native. “They won when they were freshmen, and now they’ve won it as seniors. Going undefeated, you know, we kind of used the (New England) Patriots … as an example. (A championship) is what we were after.”

If not for a select group of talented local athletes, the goal may have proved unattainable.

“When we won it in ’05 we took a picture of the Bedford guys, and there were five of us,” said Cameron, who mentored intown youths prior to taking over the BG program five years ago. “This year, if you took a picture, there’s probably 12 or 13 guys.”

The roster is peppered with Bedford names. None had a greater impact than Pat Daley, who led the team in scoring with four goals and two assists against Pinkerton.

“All the Bedford kids, we travel together … and there’s always been a connection between all of us growing up together,” said Daley, who now heads to Division I Siena College in upstate New York, where he’ll play lax on scholarship. “It’s my last season, I’m with all my friends, and we won a state championship. I couldn’t be happier.”

And there was one voice in the stands, said Daley, louder than the rest.

Ed Daley, who now plays lacrosse at Lafayette College after winning two high school football crowns and one lax championship with his younger sibling, was there in support of both his brother and Cameron, who taught the sport to both Daleys.

“Some of these kids I’ve known since they were 6 years old,” said Cameron. “I mean, I put the first stick in Pat’s hand. I’ve been involved in the Bedford program since it started over 10 years ago, so I know all these guys.”

In addition to Daley, those representing Bedford on the Stellos turf this season include Adam Hall, Nick Astarita, Dan Enos, Beau Brooks, Matt Bayne, James Amato, Lucas Solms, Nick Carluccio, Nick Belviso, Jack Krzyston and Jack Caveny.