Maryland high school football notebook (11/8/2023)
The postseason has arrived for Maryland private schools as semifinal action takes place this weekend in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC).
Three weeks after an overtime thriller, Good Counsel and DeMatha, the state’s top two squads according to the Maryland Media poll, look to secure a rematch next weekend. The Stags play defending WCAC Capital Division champ St. John’s (D.C.) at the Prince George’s County Sporting and Learning Complex, while the No. 1 Falcons host Gonzaga (D.C.).
Good Counsel and DeMatha face WCAC semifinal contests this week as they each strive to advance to next week's league championship game.
Good Counsel (8-1 overall), led by Wisconsin commit Dilin Jones (running back) and Power 5 defensive aces Aaron Chiles (linebacker committed to Florida) and Darien Mayo (linemen committed to Clemson), went undefeated in Capital play (4-0) during the regular season including a 35-28 decision over DeMatha. The Falcons defeated Gonzaga, 28-6, during the regular season.
The Stags (8-1, 3-1 WCAC Capital), who’ve been sparked by junior running back Bud Coombs and Virginia Tech commit Emmett Laws (defensive line) outlasted St. John’s (5-4, 2-2 WCAC Capital), 21-14, in overtime behind a goal line stand. DeMatha, which lost to St. John’s in last year’s title game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, played three overtime games during the regular season.
St. Mary’s Ryken (5-5) went undefeated in Metro Division play (4-0) to earn the top-seed. The Knights host Paul VI (Va.), a team they defeated, 33-14, during the regular season.
The winner plays either Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) or Bishop Ireton (Va.) in the finals next weekend. St. Mary’s Ryken has won three WCAC Metro titles since 2018.
Archbishop Spalding claimed its first MIAA A crown last fall. The Cavaliers will try to repeat, but could have a harder time compared to their dominant run in 2022.
Spalding, ranked No. 3 in the state, hosts Loyola Blakefield in a semifinal match Friday. Two weeks ago, the Cavaliers (8-2, 6-0 MIAA A) escaped with a 30-24 overtime victory over the Dons (5-3, 3-2 MIAA A) on junior quarterback Malik Washington’s touchdown toss to Jameson Coffman (committed to UMBC for lacrosse).
The other semifinal will have No. 3 seed McDonogh (6-2, 4-2 MIAA A) at second-seed Mount St. Joseph (7-4, 4-2 MIAA A). Mount St. Joseph got a touchdown catch from senior Devin Byrd in the final 10 seconds of regulation for a 26-20 victory over the Eagles three weeks ago.
The semifinal winners will play for the title at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium Nov. 19. Spalding has won 20 of 21 MIAA A contests, including playoffs, since the start of the 2021 season.
Concordia Prep, with Under Armour All-American Ernest Willor, is the favorite in the MIAA B tourney. The Saints (9-1, 6-0 MIAA B) host defending champ St. Mary’s (4-4, 3-3 MIAA B) Saturday afternoon.
Concordia won, 21-0, during the regular season. John Carroll visits Archbishop Curley (6-5, 5-1 MIAA Bin the first semifinal Friday afternoon in Baltimore. The Friars defeated the Patriots (6-4, 4-2 MIAA B), 23-17, last weekend.
Archbishop Curley, the No. 2 seed in the MIAA B Conference, will host third-seeded John Carroll in a semifinal game on Friday. The Friars topped the Patriots last Friday in the regular season finale.
Photo courtesy of Archbishop Curley Athletics
The MIAA C, with just four teams, doesn’t have a postseason tournament. Severn (6-4 overall) went 4-0 to win its second straight championship.
The Interstate Athletic Conference championship will be decided this weekend as Georgetown Prep and Landon are in play. Georgetown (7-2, 3-1 IAC) plays at Bullis (5-4, 1-3 IAC) while Landon (6-3, 3-1 IAC) hosts St. Albans (D.C.).
Landon, which defeated league foe Episcopal from Virginia (4-1 IAC) earlier in the season, can claim the title outright with a win. If Landon and Georgetown Prep win, both would be tri-champions with Episcopal.
Episcopal defeated Georgetown Prep, 24-17, two weeks ago. If Georgetown Prep wins and Landon loses, Episcopal claims the IAC title outright, as well with losses by Landon and Georgetown Prep.
MPSSAA state public playoffs continue
Quarterfinal berths will be at stake as the MPSSAA state postseason moves into the second round. All six 2022 state champions - Fort Hill (1A), Milford Mill (2A), Dunbar (2A/1A), Quince Orchard (4A), Damascus and North Point advanced either by victory or first-round bye.
The two winners out of region play this weekend in the six classifications (1A, 2A, 2A/1A, 3A, 4A/3A and 4A) will be reseeded for the state quarterfinals based on their regular season point average.
Here’s a look at some key second round matches.
Dundalk (8-2) at Broadneck (8-2): The Owls, who made deep postseason runs in 4A/3A the previous two seasons (semifinals last year and final in 2021), try to advance to “Elite Eight” in 4A against perennial Anne Arundel County power.
Eleanor Roosevelt (8-2) at Flowers (9-1): Flowers look to continue pursuit of a second straight 4A final berth against a Roosevelt squad that hasn’t lost since a close week 2 decision against Wise.
Glen Burnie (7-3) at Old Mill (9-1): Glen Burnie gets a second shot at Anne Arundel County champ Patriots, who needed a late fourth quarter score and defensive stand to escape, 27-26, three weeks ago.
Milford Mill (7-2) at New Town (8-2): The defending 2A/1A champ Millers hit the road against a Baltimore County rival that would love nothing more than to end their reign.
Northwest (8-2) at Quince Orchard (9-0): Quince Orchard has steamrolled to back-to-back 4A state crowns, and defeated Northwest in the regular season. But, in 2021, the Jaguars upset the favorite and host Cougars in the state semifinals.
