A wild week in the A Conference leaves four teams separated by three points at the top of the standings

by Nelson Coffin

Insanity reared its head on what Archbishop Curley's Barry Stitz and his A Conference coaching colleagues called a “crazy” Tuesday afternoon last week.

Fortunately for Stitz, the Friars had the wherewithal to withstand challenges by league rival Concordia Prep and perennial Baltimore County contender Hereford while running their winning streak to six. 

A pair of goals from senior forward Landon Beckman and one each from senior midfielders Matt Stitz and Chase Matthai doomed Hereford in a 4-2 Curley win after senior forward Jack Comey (2 goals) and senior midfielder Callen Kleinschmidt (1) provided the firepower in a 3-1 decision over the Saints.

McDonogh wasn’t as fortunate after inching ahead of Archbishop Spalding, 2-1, with 2:56 left in the second half on junior Javier Brown’s alert interception of a pass on the doorstep for an easy conversion.

With just over 10 seconds left, however, after some confusion on possession prior to a throw-in, the Cavaliers were able to equalize on a brilliant feed-and-finish from point-blank range, denying the Eagles what could be two crucial points affecting postseason seeding.

Meanwhile, a similar situation evolved in Roland Park where Gilman senior star Bashir Abou rocketed in a 15-yard shot to stun Calvert Hall, 1-0, in the 79th minute, rendering the Cardinals scoreless in two encounters with the Greyhounds this season.

If that wasn’t enough, consider that John Carroll rippled the net twice in a seven-minute span of the second half to down Loyola Blakefield, 2-1. On Friday, the Patriots’ resurgence continued by deadlocking suddenly-struggling Calvert Hall, 1-1

The Dons concluded the week with a 3-3 standoff against McDonogh (26 points), which remains ahead of the other five teams who appear to be locked in for spots in the six-team playoff tourney — Curley (25), Calvert Hall (24), Loyola (23), Gilman (21).

The sixth spot will go down to the wire in a battle between Mount St. Joseph (14), John Carroll (14) and Spalding (13) with two weeks left in the regular season.

In the B Conference, Boys’ Latin (14 points) took a critical 2-0 decision over ancient rival St. Paul’s (13) to supplant the Crusaders in second place, one point shy of league-leading St. Mary’s (15).

“It was an absolute battle today,” BL coach Jon Becker said. “St Paul’s is building a dynasty in the B Conference, and they are the benchmark for all other teams. The boys were up for the challenge today. We knew we had to adjust our typical style of play to match their physicality, and our boys were ready for battle.”

Becker praised defenders Colton Wagner, Brody Urban, Nate Praay, and Liam Ward, along with help from freshman Aidan Ray, for helping to keep the Crusaders’ potent attack at bay. 

Freshman forward Turner Papoi’s first-half goal “gave us something to hold on to,” Becker said. “We knew we’d need a second goal, and senior Harry Connelly delivered in style with a banger from 30 yards out just three minutes into the second half. St Paul’s is a great squad with quality players and, without the play of BL goalkeeper Parker Flythe, the game would have been different.”

Flythe dominated with a PK save in the second half and consistent control of the box, Turner continued.

“I have so much respect for what St Paul’s has done in this conference, and they are still the team to beat,” the coach concluded. “One game doesn’t change that. Today was importing, but only in the sense that it gives us momentum to push on for the next few weeks. We’re ready for the challenge.”

Annapolis Area Christian School, which topped both Park and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 3-1, last week, rests in a dead heat with St. Paul’s and Severn in third place. The Admirals tied St. Paul’s and beat Gerstell Academy to remain in contention for a bye in the upcoming playoffs.