Back of THE CAGE Forums MID-ATLANTIC LACROSSE MARYLAND MAIN FORUM Boys 2028 Grads - Mid Atlantic Region

I don’t think I’d be overly reliant on the fall games to determine the pecking order for this group since a lot of teams were integrating new players. But it’s mostly all we have to go by. The top three teams seem to be Next Level, Madlax, and FCA in some order. The FCA face off and attack are really good, but I think defense and midfield are more of a question mark. Madlax is very well coached and has a very good defense, but they don’t have a lot of really strong dodgers against so I think may struggle against defenses that guard their cutters well. Next Level is very deep and the best in the midfield of any of the teams, but draws a lot of penalties. Hawks and Crabs are both much improved. Hawks defense and goalie are very good, but they may have trouble scoring enough against the top teams. Crabs are the opposite. Offense is pretty solid, but defense might be less strong. Overall wouldn’t be too surprised to see any of these five end up at or near the top. True is the wild card since they didn’t play anyone in the fall other than Madlax I think. I’d slot them sixth. Cavs I think are underrated. Very big and a couple of players away from making a run. Will be interesting to see if they avoid defections to other clubs over time. But I’d put them next. Then BLC, Kelly Post, and HLC are the next best, but pretty far below the teams above them in terms of talent.

1. Next Level
2. Madlax
3. FCA
4. Crabs
5. Hawks
6. True
7. Cavs
8. BLC, Kelly Post, or HLC

How is everyone sleeping on Madlax? The 28's have won every hoco spring title so far and it wouldn't have been any different last year if the season played out. After minimal activity this fall they lost a close game to Next Level and soundly beat FCA in a scrimmage.

1. Madlax
2. Next Level
3. FCA
4. Hawks
5. Crabs
6. USS/True
7. Cavs
8. Kelly Post

Madlax is the top team and will remain so until someone actually beats them when it counts. Madlax has the best attack and close defense units in the division. FCA has best middies & FOGO. Hawks has best goalies. Next Level is solid. Crabs & True can hang with top teams and could easily make a run in playoffs. Tourneymachine results show a big drop off after that.

TIER 1: Madlax
TIER 2: FCA-Hawks-NL
TIER 3: Crabs-True
TIER 4: BLC-Cavs-HLC-KP

Madlax has lost to NL the only times they’ve played since third grade. The fall game and a scrimmage lasts summer. NL beat all of the above teams this fall at least once except True who they didn’t play. I mean fall ball isn’t everything, but to argue Madlax is in a tier by themselves because of some third grade results is some real Madlax thinking.

There isn’t a ton of separation here between the top five teams.

NL beat Madlax 5-1 10/18/21 at the Maryland Lacrosse Tournament in Columbia, was a shutout until ML scored with a minute left. Fairly sure that "counted". NL lost the weekend prior to FCA. So if you're doing top 3 in 2028, IMO you can put those three teams in any order until we have a bigger sample size. Should be a good season. Teams from the lower tiers you've got here have also looked pretty good from what I saw. Very competitive age group.

Enjoy it while you can. The team with the most holdback's will start dominating in next few years. My prediction, Madlax, Crabs, Hawks and FCA as years go by. Rest get off them while you can.

High turnover at Hoco pink, Mesa and BLC. The standings will likely look a lot different then they have in years past.

5th grade lacrosse. Get an effing grip.

Yeah BLC lost some strong players to Madlax and Next Level, so who knows if they'll be in this division or one lower in spring as they try to rebuild. Hoco Pink was pretty strong in prior years but some of their guys went to FCA and (I think, not 100% sure) some to Hawks. No idea about Mesa but that's just me.

BLC as a whole really bungled 2020. Their travel teams will not be very competitive for several years.

There is no Mesa 2028.

The argument of they were good in 3rd grade so they will be good again is weak. Multiple teams in the 28 division got a lot better over the summer/fall. The only thing that will be consistent for the next couple of years is change. Kids are going to change clubs, kids are going to stay back. Madlax will always be good, maybe even great, but even those families get sick of the yelling and shenanigans. A lot of those kids will move on as well.

1. Madlax
2. FCA
3. Hawks
4. Next Level
5. Crabs
6. True
7. Cavs
8. KP
9. BLC
10. HLC

BLC is a great experience for a young player and a good intro into club lacrosse. Its unfair to say they bungled 2020. The local schools they lease fields from were shut down. In scrambling to find replacement fields some were better than others. Not an ideal situation.

Their clubs will be competitive but wont be challenging any of the top teams. They don't have professional coaches and practice 1/2 as much. Its always going to be a short term solution for kids without HS teams. There will always be outliers. The BLC 25's were extremely strong and the 29's (if they can stay together) look promising.

I was being kind by saying "bungled" and if that term really offends you then you are waaay too sensitive. Are you telling me they couldn't find any field to gather on for informal or formal gatherings? No, the true answer is the board of BLC was split and got scared of liability issues and simply chose to abandon the program. They left it up to the individual teams to do it on their own. That's all fine except many families left for Madlax and Next Level up and down the age groups and why be part of an organization which doesn't support the team. It's kind of like paying to be a franchise without getting any administrative or marketing support.

Their participation numbers are way down and it will take years to recover. Let's hope DCE can keep it together.