Maryland High School Football: The 5 Biggest Takeaways From The Dominant 2024 Season And The 2025 Recruits To Watch
The landscape of Maryland high school football has never been more competitive, with the 2024 season concluding recently, marking another year of intense rivalries, dominant private school programs, and the perennial pursuit of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) State Championship. As of late 2025, the focus immediately shifts to the next wave of talent and the powerhouse programs that continue to define the sport in the Old Line State, a region consistently ranked among the nation's best for producing elite college football prospects. The 2024 season confirmed the state's status as a recruiting hotbed, while also crowning new champions in the state's most fiercely contested leagues.
The 2024 campaign saw established giants like Archbishop Spalding and DeMatha cement their legacies, while the MPSSAA public school playoffs continued to provide thrilling, high-stakes football. From the highly competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) to the rugged Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and the expansive MPSSAA, the depth of talent across Maryland high school football remains a major talking point for college recruiters and local fans alike. The following is a deep dive into the major championships, the top players, and the key storylines defining the sport right now.
The State of Maryland Football: A Tale of Three Leagues
To truly understand Maryland high school football, one must recognize the three distinct, yet interwoven, governing bodies. Unlike many states where a single public school association reigns supreme, Maryland’s top-tier competition is split, creating a unique dynamic where the best teams rarely play each other until the national rankings are released.
The MPSSAA Public School Powerhouses
The MPSSAA governs the public school football championships, dividing teams into classes (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A) based on enrollment. The MPSSAA playoffs are a highly anticipated event, culminating in the State Finals at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. While the 2024 MPSSAA champions are in the process of being finalized, looking back at the 2023 results provides essential context for the current public school hierarchy.
- Class 4A Champion (2023): Quince Orchard High School. The Cougars are a perennial national contender and defeated their rivals, Henry A. Wise High School, in a high-profile championship game.
- Class 4A/3A Champion (2023): Mergenthaler Vo-Tech (Mervo). This classification showcases the depth of talent in the Baltimore area.
- Class 3A Champion (2023): Linganore High School. Linganore has a deep history of success in the MPSSAA playoffs.
- Class 2A/1A Champion (2023): Stephen Decatur High School. Decatur secured their first-ever state championship, a major highlight of the 2023 season, driven by standout players like quarterback Brycen Coleman.
The MIAA A Conference: Spalding’s Reign
The MIAA A Conference is arguably the most dominant private school league in the Baltimore area. The 2024 season was defined by one team's sustained excellence: Archbishop Spalding High School. The Cavaliers, under head coach Kyle Schmitt, continued their dynasty, securing their third consecutive MIAA A Conference football championship.
- 2024 MIAA A Conference Champion: Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers.
- Championship Result: Spalding defeated their rivals, McDonogh School, with a decisive 31-7 victory in the final.
- Key Storyline: Spalding's victory solidified their position as the undisputed top-ranked team in the state, often finishing ahead of national power St. Frances Academy in the final state polls.
The WCAC: DeMatha Returns to the Top
The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) is the gold standard for high school football in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) region, featuring nationally recognized programs. The 2024 season saw a major shift in power, with the DeMatha Stags returning to the pinnacle of the conference.
- 2024 WCAC Capital Division Champion: DeMatha Catholic High School.
- Championship Result: DeMatha exacted revenge on Good Counsel High School, winning the Capital Division title 16-7, marking their first WCAC crown since 2016.
- 2024 WCAC Metro Division Champion: St. Paul VI Catholic High School. Paul VI secured the Metro Division championship, defeating St. Mary's Ryken.
- Rivalry Intensity: The DeMatha vs. Good Counsel rivalry game remains one of the most intense and heavily recruited matchups on the East Coast.
The Next Generation: Top Maryland Football Recruits in the Class of 2025
Maryland is a perennial hotbed for college football recruiting, with the Class of 2025 continuing that tradition. College coaches from Power Four conferences (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12) heavily target the state, and the competition to land the top talent is fierce. These are some of the key entities and rising stars from the 2025 class that dominated headlines during the 2024 season and are committing to major programs:
- Kamden Laudenslager (McDonogh School): A highly-rated defensive lineman who has already made a major commitment, showcasing the elite talent coming out of the MIAA.
- Malik Washington: A top recruit whose decision is closely watched, representing the premier skill position talent available in the state.
- Jaylen Gilchrist: Another elite prospect who has drawn attention from numerous major college programs, highlighting the depth of the 2025 class.
- Zahir Mathis: An imposing presence on the defensive side of the ball, Mathis is one of the most sought-after pass-rushers in the region.
- Decarlos Young and Jermaine Minnis: These players are also highly ranked within the state, demonstrating the sheer volume of Division I talent that Maryland produces year after year.
The recruiting cycle for the 2025 class is in full swing, with many of these athletes having already participated in all-region and all-state selections for the 2024 season, solidifying their status as top prospects. The final Consensus All-State lists for the 2024 season featured over 700 honored players, underscoring the depth of football talent in Maryland.
Key Storylines That Defined the 2024 Season
Beyond the championship games, the 2024 Maryland high school football season was filled with compelling narratives and coaching moves that will shape the future of the sport in the region.
The St. Frances Academy Factor
St. Frances Academy, a national powerhouse, continues to operate outside the traditional MPSSAA and MIAA structures, often playing a national schedule. While they ceded the top state ranking to Archbishop Spalding in the final 2024 polls, their program remains a critical pipeline for Division I talent and a benchmark for elite football in the state. Their schedule often includes top programs from across the country, which provides a unique challenge and exposure for their players.
Coaching Changes and Program Resets
One of the major storylines heading into the 2024 season was the movement of high-profile coaches. The decision by veteran coaches, such as DaLawn Parrish, to take on new challenges and start over at different programs generated significant buzz. These coaching shifts often indicate a new era for the programs involved and a renewed focus on competitive excellence in the coming years.
The Rise of New Public School Contenders
While traditional giants like Quince Orchard remain at the top of the MPSSAA, the 2024 playoffs saw several new teams and regions make deep runs, challenging the established order. The expansion of the playoff classifications and the competitive balance within the MPSSAA ensure that the path to a state title is never easy, providing thrilling matchups throughout November and December.
The 2024 Maryland high school football season served as a powerful reminder of the state’s rich tradition and competitive fire. With the MIAA and WCAC titles wrapped up and the MPSSAA playoffs concluding, the focus now shifts entirely to the development of the 2025 recruiting class and the anticipation for the next season. The state’s unique three-league structure ensures that high-stakes, elite football is played every week, cementing Maryland’s reputation as one of the best high school football states in the nation.
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