MIAA A
Spalding coach Kyle Schmitt will forsake a potential undefeated regular season record for tough tests and learning lessons that will prepare his Cavaliers far better for the post-season and a potential MIAA A championship. And, this season, a defense of their first MIAA title they won a year ago.
Friday, the Cavaliers received one of those tough tests and learning lessons, losing to the ninth ranked team in the country, St Joseph’s Prep of Philadelphia, 24-6. The Hawks, who feature more than a half dozen ‘Power 5’ commits, and another handful of three and four star recruits, ran out to a 17-0 halftime lead, and coasted to a 24-6 win.
Still, the margin was the closest anyone has come to the Hawks this season, outside of their one loss to fifth ranked IMG, 17-14. The Hawks defeated Florida’s defending 6A state champion Lakeland, 45-24. The Cavaliers only other loss this season came to another top 100 team from Philly, Imhotep Charter Prep, who stands at 9-0. Schmitt competed at Derry Area High School before playing at Maryland, and knows the Philly and ‘PA’ powers could give his Cavaliers those needed tests for a November run.
The Cavaliers (6-2) travel to Loyola (5-2) on Friday, with the Dons coming off of a 32-21 win over Gilman (3-5). Junior Kendrick Worthington rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries for the Dons, while senior Jayden Moore added 116 yards from scrimmage, on 13 touches. Dons senior middle linebacker Tommy Tucker produced 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one interception in the win.
The Dons sit one game back of the Cavaliers in the league standings, at 3-1, along with Mt St Joe, with two league games remaining. The Dons beat the Gaels, but lost to McDonogh. The Cavaliers are 4-0 in league play, with the Dons and Gaels still remaining on the slate. Mt St Joe (6-3) stayed in a tie for second place with a 14-7 win over Calvert Hall (3-5). McDonogh (4-2), who is 2-2 in league play, was idle last week and travels to Calvert Hall on Friday.
Here’s a look at the league race, as the post-season and the four team tournament nears.
Spalding holds the fate of the top seed in their hands, but face the two second place teams in their two remaining league games. Loyola holds the tie-breaker with Mt St Joe, with the Dons 24-21 win over the Gaels in week four. Calvert Hall could move into the top four with a win over McDonogh this weekend.
4-0 Spalding – @ Loyola 10/27, v Mt St Joe 11/3
3-1 Loyola – v Spalding 10/27, v Calvert Hall 11/23*
3-1 Mt St Joe – v Pallotti 10/28, @ Spalding 11/3
2-2 McDonogh – @ Calvert Hall 10/27, v Gilman 11/4
——
1-2 Calvert Hall – v McDonogh 10/27, v Pallotti 11/3, v Loyola 11/23 *
1-4 Gilman – @ McDonogh 11/4
0-4 Pallotti – @ Mt St Joe 10/28, @ Calvert Hall 11/3
*Turkey Bowl takes place after MIAA A post-season
MIAA B
Concordia Prep (7-1) put away Long Island Lutheran, 26-7, to win the Lutheran Cup, handing the Crusaders just their second loss of the season. The Saints have an annual battle with their counterparts from Long Island to win ‘the Cup’. The Saints have two league games remaining, visiting Boys Latin (2-5) on Saturday, then go to Mt Carmel (2-6) a week from Saturday.
Archbishop Curley (5-3) pulled out a 13-10 victory over defending league champ St Mary’s (3-4), as senior Caron Madison rushed for 117 yards and a score on 25 carries. The Friars host Riverdale Baptist (5-3) in a non-league contest on Friday. John Carroll (5-3) stayed on pace with Curley in the league standings with a 42-10 win over St Paul’s (4-4). The Patriots host Mt Carmel on Friday.
A look at the MIAA B league race, as teams maneuver for the four post-season bids.
4-0 Concordia Prep – @ Boys Latin 10/28, @ Mt Carmel 11/4
4-1 Curley – @ John Carroll 11/3
3-1 John Carroll – v Mt Carmel 10/27, v Curley 11/3
2-3 St Mary’s – v St Paul’s 10/27
——
1-3 Boys Latin – v Concordia Prep 10/28, v St Paul’s 11/3
1-3 St Paul’s – @ St Mary’s 10/27, @ Boys Latin 11/3
0-4 Mt Carmel – @ John Carroll 10/27, v Concordia Prep 11/4
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.