Baltimore Sports and Life looks at the first few weeks on the gridiron for the Baltimore area private schools.
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Independent
St Frances’ clash with #1 Mater Dei in Bellflower turned out to be more of a damp sparkler than a Fourth of July fireworks display. The battle of MaxPreps #1 and #2 was a one-sided affair, as USC commit Bryce Young rushed for 104 yards and four touchdowns, including three in the first half, to lead the Monarchs to a 21-6 halftime lead, and eventual 34-18 win.
The Monarchs opened the scoring with a 98 yard drive, punctuated by a Young touchdown. After another Young score, the Monarchs capitalized on a Panthers turnover that put the ball inside the Panthers 10 yard line. Young’s fourth touchdown early in the third quarter gave the California juggernaut an insurmountable 31-6 advantage.
The Monarchs travel to DC on the 27th, to face St Johns, who are looking to rebound from a 35-14 loss to Lone Star state power Duncanville, 35-14. The Panthers, meanwhile, still have dates with a pair of nationally ranked top 15 teams – @ #15 St Joseph’s Regional NJ on September 28th, and v #4 IMG on October 18th.
The Loyola Dons won their third in a row, staking a 48-8 third quarter lead over Dulaney, before settling for a 48-24 win. Jordan Moore threw for three touchdowns, and Kaire Umoja ran for two, as the Dons dominated the Lions in the first 36 minutes. The undefeated Dons host Howard on Friday.
1 1 St Frances (3-1)
2 6 Loyola (3-0)
Note; Second column reflects Baltimore Metro Ranking.
Top September games ahead; WK3 – Howard @ Loyola, Norland FL @ St Frances; WK4 – St Frances @ St Joseph Regional NJ
MIAA A
Calvert Hall won their 17th game in their last 18 tries with a 40-0 pummeling of Riverdale Baptist. The Cardinals produced in all facets of the game, with the defense scoring scoring two touchdowns, the running attack adding a pair, and the special teams supplying a touchdown and two field goals. The Cards are averaging scoring 38.3 points per game, including 34 or more in all four games.
Spalding moved to 3-0 with its 43-29 victory over Bullis. The Cavaliers are averaging 51.7 points per game in their victories over Philly’s Bishop McDevitt, Orlando’s Bishop Moore, and The Bullis School, in Potomac. The Cavs hosts Good Counsel on Friday, in a rematch of their unfinished 35-35 draw in 2018. The Falcons are coming off a round trip to and from Cali’, following their 31-8 loss to St John Bosco., the soon-to-be #2 team in the country.
McDonogh manhandled Franklin in the second half of their matchup on Friday, turning a one possession game into a 38-3 rout of the Indians. The Eagles, like Calvert Hall and Spalding, have scored 34 or more points in every one of their games thus far this season. Mt St Joe had a bye week last week, and will host The Kiski School this week.
1 2 Calvert Hall (4-0)
2 3 Spalding (3-0)
3 4 Mt St Joe (2-1)
4 5 McDonogh (3-0)
Note; Second column reflects Baltimore Metro Ranking.
Top September games ahead; WK3 – McDonogh @ Bullis, Good Counsel @ Spalding; WK4 – Spalding @ Malvern Prep PA, National Christian @ Mt St Joe
MIAA B
Concordia Prep had an impressive showing, with a 13-0 shutout of Dundalk, pushing the Saints to 3-0. The Saints sophomore lineman Sone Motuge Jr supplied three tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble for the Saints, in a game that remained scoreless until midway through the third quarter.
Curley destroyed Severn, 45-7, as junior quarterback Koji Kwaw threw for 217 yards on 5 completions, and Ronald Clark scored two of the Friars five rushing touchdowns.Pallotti rose to 3-1 with a 42-0 thrashing of St Paul’s.
1 14 Pallotti (3-1)
2 16 Curley (3-0)
3 18 Concordia Prep (3-0)
Note; Second column reflects Baltimore Metro Ranking.
Top September games ahead; WK3 – Curley @ Gilman; WK4 – John Carroll @ Concordia Prep
HS Sports Analyst
Willie, a native of Chicago, and now a resident of Columbia for 40 years, is an educator at Homewood Center in Howard County, after spending 12 years as a real estate agent, following 10 years of running a small men’s retail company. Willie has contributed to Max Preps, Digital Sports, and Varsity Sports Network. Willie has produced MPSSAA top 25 rankings for both football and basketball for 15 years, across various platforms. From a large ‘sports family’, Willie’s brother Mike led Reservoir High to the 3A basketball state title game in 2018, while his nephew Anthony serves as the Indianapolis Colts College Scouting Coordinator.