Back in the day, Bill Lawson was leading an inexperienced bunch of players on Bow’s boys lacrosse team. He thought he wouldn’t face that challenge again.

He was wrong.

Now head coach of the Central High boys lax squad, Lawson has to draw from his former days to develop another squad.

Lawson’s team is still adjusting, but three wins – as hosts to Salem and Memorial and visitors at Keene – have provided the confidence a young team needs.

“Many years ago I coached a very young team, but they came out and won the state championship,” said Lawson.

“I wouldn’t put that kind of pressure on these guys, but it is something I’m getting used to again. You have to tone things down, change how you deal with kids at practice.”

The Little Green posted an 11-9 win against Keene and an 8-4 victory over the Blue Devils, then handed the Crusaders an 11-3 loss on Monday, April 30.

Seniors Josh Tarbell and team captain Mike Martineau lead a roster dominated by sophomores, with some juniors and freshmen as well.

Against Memorial, Hooksett’s Scott McCurdy paced the Little Green with four goals. Sophomore Marc Perroni scored three goals and dished two assists. Hooksett junior Shea McCarthy added three shots and two assists.

Though he’s no stranger to teaching young players, Lawson said some drawbacks are unavoidable.

“The biggest thing is they’re not physically mature,” said Lawson. “We can get away with it against the bottom half of the tier but not the top teams. You have to teach, and teach and reteach things to them in practice. It’s not like having a loaded team where you expect things done right after one time.”

To fill a gap in the middle of the field, Lawson looked to Tarbell.

Moving the upperclassman from attacker to midfielder may mean fewer goals for Tarbell, but it bolsters the Little Green’s midgame against some of Class L’s better teams.

With this year’s postseason tournament including eight teams instead of the previous 12, the No. 8 seed, which Central has earned in the past, is the goal. And if the Little Green should earn a playoff berth, it must mature and mature fast.

“I’ve been in the eight-nine game two years now, and both have been great games,” said Lawson. “We’re young, so the approach in early games is different than I’d like, which doesn’t leave much room for error if we want to make the playoffs. We’re really gonna have to fight for a spot. That might mean some quick transformations.”

Lawson’s other Hooksett players are freshmen Ryan Bigg, Ryan Dempsey and Sean Hockensmith; sophomores Brandon Blackall and Jake Tremblay; juniors Kris Butler, Kellan Grady, McCarthy and McCurdy. Sophomores Justin Colvin, Shaun Vesey and Pat Tatro join the Little Green from Candia.

The Little Green visit Pinkerton Academy on Thursday, May 3.