At St. Paul’s, senior attackmen Luke Bair and Jack Iannantuono have proved to be an ideal yin and yang on the lacrosse field.

Bair is boldly bullish with explosive skills, while Iannantuono is brilliantly calculating with a quieter confidence. For the No. 8 Crusaders, the pair is the starting point of a season filled with potential. As for opposing defenses, the combination is a matchup nightmare.

“They complement each other so well,” St. Paul’s coach Steve Settembrino said. “Jack is so dynamic with the ball, a calming presence on the field. And then you have Luke, who’s like a fiery pit bull, an in-your-face kind of guy. Together, they’re special.”

As long as they’ve been playing lacrosse, starting at Carroll Manor recreation program in the second grade, the pair have been just that — a pair.

“We were always together, literally. We’d be on the field right next to each other and every team photo ever taken, I have a vivid memory of him and me side by side,” Bair said. “So it’s been that way for as long as I can remember, and it’s really cool. It’s just something that we get each other, and it’s to the point now where we understand how we play and all our tendencies. It’s truly awesome.”

As best friends — both are “A” students in the classroom — the two have gratitude for each other as they’ve developed into Division I talents. Bair has committed to North Carolina and Iannantuono is set to play at Penn State next year. The St. Paul’s stars showcased their talent in a thrilling 17-15 win at Gilman last season when Bair finished with six goals and one assist, while Iannantuono scored five times with two helpers.

They’re banking on similar performances this season.

“It’s really a blast playing with him and I’ve cherished every moment,” Iannantuono said. “From rec and then club ball and also doing all sorts of things off the field, that connection has helped us both. Just feeding off him with his amazing dodges and me playing [behind the goal] — all our looks are just pure connection, and it’s redundant.”

For opponents, it begs the question: Who do you put your top defenseman on?

“They are just dynamic, phenomenal lacrosse players who can really do it all,” McDonogh coach Andy Hilgartner said. “Luke, his natural ability combined with his athleticism makes him a nightmare, and then Jack is just so smart as a player. He’s crafty, and you don’t think he’s doing anything and then next thing you know, he’s got six points on you.”

This season at St. Paul’s brings greater urgency and responsibility for the two. It brings one goal: Winning the program’s first Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship since 2010.

The Crusaders are 5-3 overall and 2-2 in league play going into Tuesday’s game at Severn. Bair has 29 goals and six assists, while Iannantuono, who has dealt with a nagging injury, has 11 goals and 17 assists in limited action.

And much like the duo’s contrasting styles of play, the same can be said about the way they lead a team that boasts a quality mix of talented seniors and gifted underclassmen. Bair brings constant energy and brazen confidence. Iannantuono is reserved — his fewer words bringing great value — with a smooth demeanor as he precisely runs the offense.

“I was on varsity last year as a freshman and they really accepted me, which meant a lot to me. Just practicing against them every day has made me a lot better,” sophomore defenseman Evan March said.

The regular season league slate is approaching the midway point, and the two are aware now is the time to make good on all their hard work. Bair said he saw a different approach from this tight group of Crusaders going into the season. Added to the typical offseason work in the weight room was a run up hills when the snow came this winter. The shared commitment brings an epic opportunity.

“For us seniors, this is the last ride. I feel like we’re a group that really loves each other and has been playing with each other for a while, so this year just means so much more to us,” Iannantuono said. “It would mean a lot to bring a title back to St. Paul’s — it’s been a while and I think we have what it takes.”

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