Grant Weaver spins into Mars history with 7-goal masterpiece in PIAA boys lacrosse championship
Mars' Grant Weaver (9) shoots and scores a goal in the second quarter of a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
UNIVERSITY PARK — Grant Weaver loves the spin move.
He’ll offer casual ones to weave his way up the field. He’ll spin and bump to create separation against a defender up tight on him.
And then there’s the ankle-breaker he used late in the second quarter of Mars boys lacrosse’s 14-13 win over District 1 champion Penncrest in the PIAA Class 2A championship game Saturday at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium.
The senior midfielder, set to play at Grove City College next year, pressed the spin button hard inside two minutes left in the first half, Planets (19-4) up 6-5, from a full sprint just past midfield and sent his defender sliding.
And sliding.
And sliding.
Without even giving himself a chance to admire the real estate he created, Weaver ripped a cross-fire shot while still in motion that Penncrest (15-8) goalie Carson Patti never had a prayer of stopping.
“I didn’t realize how far (my defender) went,” Weaver said. “The shot that I had, it was ping, top right. I was like, ‘Oh, shoot!’ That was a great shot, so I was stoked.”
“He is so quick, cat-like quick, it’s hard to even double,” Planets head coach Bob Marcoux said. “We want the ball in his stick in crunch time.”
Or any time.
Weaver finished with a game-high seven goals and was easily the best player on the Panzer Stadium turf Saturday.
Whenever the Planets needed to go on a run, Weaver was in the middle of it.
He answered Shane Pettit’s opening goal 1:45 later to make it 1-1. Weaver’s second tied the game up again at 3-3. And Mars’ 7-2 second quarter was ignited by four Weaver goals.
At one point, he had scored four straight Planets points.
Marcoux has praised in the past Weaver’s ability to distribute the ball. A week ago in the state quarterfinals, he served mostly as a point guard for his teammates.
But Saturday called for Weaver the Shooting Guard to appear because of the way Penncrest defended his teammates and cut off skip passes, Marcoux said.
“Grant just decided he’s going to win his matchups,” the longtime coach said. “And when Grant decides he’s gonna win a matchup, he’s really tough to stop.”
Weaver is comfortable in either role.
“I can do a little bit of this, a little bit of that,” he said. “I consider myself a pass-first guy, but if I’m open I’m gonna let it fly, for sure. And I made them pay.”
It was the perfect exclamation point in his third chance on the biggest stage, and solidified his status among Mars greats, adding to the four straight WPIAL titles his class won (and 10 straight for the program).
“He’s gonna be a Mars legend forever now,” Marcoux said of Weaver’s legacy. “MVP of the team this year. I think one of the best players in WPIAL.”
“I think that would be awesome if I got looked at in the same way (as previous greats),” Weaver said.
The Mars boys lacrosse team form a dogpile after winning in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler
Mars' Nate Caldwell (18) moves the ball upfield in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) competes with Penncrest's Logan Bruette (8) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' fans celebrate after the team scores a goal in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Blake Cote (20) circles around the net in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Reed Fuller (3) celebrates after scoring in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) passes the ball to Chase Lamm (10) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' fans cheer after the team's win in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) wins a face-off against Penncrest's Logan Bruette (8) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler
Mars' Reed Fuller (3) shoots a goal in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Wyatt Wilson (35) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Grant Weaver (9) attempts a shot over a Penncrest player's arm in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) recovers a ground ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars Boy's Lacrosse Coach Kyle Savage watches the team play during a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Jack Tirch (22) runs with the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler
Mars' Isiah Dennis (6) guards Penncrest's Steele Persichetti (5) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Blake Cote (20) guards Penncrest's Niklas Backstrom (21) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Mike Duffy attempts to knock the ball away from Penncrest's Aaron Goldstein (23) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Isiah Dennis (6) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Grant Weaver (9) shoots a goal in the second quarter of a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Reed Fuller (3) celebrates after scoring in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
A Mars fan celebrates after the team scores in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars Boy's Lacrosse Coach Kyle Savage celebrates after the team's win in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Reed Fuller, left, and Grant Weaver celebrate after scoring a goal in the closing seconds before halftime in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Reed Fuller (3) looks for an opening to take a shot at the net around Penncrest's Jack Martin (15) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
The Mars boy's lacorsse team celebrate as they run to greet the fans in the stands following their victory in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Mars' Reed Fuller (3) hugs a member of the coaching staff after the team's win in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Mars boys lacrosse team form a dogpile after winning in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler
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Mars' Nate Caldwell (18) moves the ball upfield in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) competes with Penncrest's Logan Bruette (8) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' fans celebrate after the team scores a goal in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Blake Cote (20) circles around the net in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Reed Fuller (3) celebrates after scoring in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) passes the ball to Chase Lamm (10) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' fans cheer after the team's win in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) wins a face-off against Penncrest's Logan Bruette (8) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler
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Mars' Reed Fuller (3) shoots a goal in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Wyatt Wilson (35) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Grant Weaver (9) attempts a shot over a Penncrest player's arm in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) recovers a ground ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars Boy's Lacrosse Coach Kyle Savage watches the team play during a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Jack Tirch (22) runs with the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler
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Mars' Isiah Dennis (6) guards Penncrest's Steele Persichetti (5) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Blake Cote (20) guards Penncrest's Niklas Backstrom (21) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Mike Duffy attempts to knock the ball away from Penncrest's Aaron Goldstein (23) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Isiah Dennis (6) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Grant Weaver (9) shoots a goal in the second quarter of a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Reed Fuller (3) celebrates after scoring in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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A Mars fan celebrates after the team scores in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) carries the ball in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars Boy's Lacrosse Coach Kyle Savage celebrates after the team's win in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Reed Fuller, left, and Grant Weaver celebrate after scoring a goal in the closing seconds before halftime in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Reed Fuller (3) looks for an opening to take a shot at the net around Penncrest's Jack Martin (15) in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Mars boy's lacorsse team celebrate as they run to greet the fans in the stands following their victory in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Reed Fuller (3) hugs a member of the coaching staff after the team's win in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse championship game against Penncrest, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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