Prediction: Archbishop Spalding (Md.) repeats as state champs

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to Terrapin State as Archbishop Spalding heads into 2025 looking to repeat as MIAA Class A champs. Everyone hears about St. Frances Academy over in Baltimore, but the Cavaliers are pretty good in their own regard. Even with Malik Washington now graduated and off to college, bets are Archbishop Spalding will be right back in the thick of the state championship conversation. Question is, can they repeat 2024 without Washington?

Player Spotlight: WR Myles McAfee

The four-star wide receiver is widely regarded as one of the best pass catchers in the state after a standout sophomore season. Last year with Washington tossing him the rock, Myles McAfee hauled in a team-high 54 passes for 651 yards and 10 touchdowns. With the junior hailing offers from schools all across the country, there’s no hiding the fact that the receiver will be counted on that much more this season for the Cavs.

Others to watch: CB Sean Johnson, ATH Keith Miller, OT Bryce Smalls, WR Aaron Igwebe, OT Kyle Lucas

Season Prediction: 10-0

So a lot of you are probably wanting us to speak on the demise of the Cavaliers now post-Malik Washington and how they’ll lose a few games. Well, that’s just not realistic considering the kind of roster Archbishop Spalding has coming back. The emergence of players like McAfee and 2028 stud Keith Miller keep this Cavaliers team right there at the top of the MIAA’s Class A ranks. So a new quarterback will have to get these guys the ball. Well, we think Blake Howell will be more than suitable in making that happen for Archbishop Spalding en route to an undefeated season.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 22 – at Brownsburg (Ind.) Bulldogs – W
Playing against Indiana’s best team on the road, the Cavaliers pull it out and return to Maryland with the dub.

Aug. 30 – Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) Knights – W
In the Cavaliers’ first home game of the season on a Saturday, they impress in front of the faithful in a 35-13 shellacking.

Sept. 5 – Hun School (N.J.) Big Red – W
Another state powerhouse, this time from the Garden State. Archbishop Spalding remains undefeated after a close call against the Hun School.

Sept. 12 – at McDonogh School (Md.) Eagles – W
A rematch from last year’s MIAA Class A title game goes to the Cavaliers.

Sept. 19 – Calvert Hall College (Md.) Cardinals – W
Only the Cavaliers could make it look easy consecutively against a Maryland power, rolling to a 42-7 win.

Sept. 26 – at Gilman (Md.) Rams – W
Archbishop Spalding leaves no doubt in a rout of the Greyhounds.

Oct. 3 – at St. Mary’s (Md.) Saints – W
The Cavaliers crush the Saints in a 42-point shellacking on the road.

Oct. 11 – at Concordia Prep (Md.) Saints – W
One more game closer to an undefeated season as Archbishop Spalding rolls again.

Oct. 17 – at Loyola Blakefield (Md.) Dons – W
With an undefeated within reach, the Cavs don’t mess around as they dominate the Dons in a 42-6 win.

Oct. 24 – Mount Saint Joseph (Md.) Gaels – W
It’s closing time when it comes to an undefeated regular season as Archbishop Spalding takes care of business at home.