US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums MID-ATLANTIC LACROSSE MARYLAND FORUM Boys 2028 Grads - Mid Atlantic Region

Based on the kids' yapping and social media activity it sure seems like:

1 (tie) BL or CHC
3. Spalding
4. McD
5. St. Pauls
6 (tie) Loyola, St Marys (very little new elite talent, but considerable bench strength for both schools)
8 (tie) MSJ or JC (same as above, lots of A-AAA talent, but zero new elite talent)
10 Severn (geography problem, as usual)
11 Gilman (offered scholarships that weren't taken)

Out of all these schools, I'm most concerned if I'm Gilman (it's a really bad trend) or McD (now NEEDS a good recruiting year for 2029s to stay at or near #1 for the 2026 season and beyond). Seriously what is the last "good" recruiting class that GIlman had?

Out of all these schools, I'm happiest if I'm St. Pauls or John Carroll because decent talent is moving to our schools, and all signs are that this will continue. St. Pauls is becoming relevant and JC is approaching that level, though it's unclear who exactly they could beat to get everybody's attention.

Out of all these schools, I'm "meh" if I'm MSJ, Loyola, St. Marys, because it's trending for another 2-3 years of fighting for the #4 spot in the playoffs, winning a few games we shouldn't, and losing a few games we shouldn't. Donor drama ensues, as it does almost every year. Week to week underperforming or overperforming. In the case of at least Loyola and St Marys, it's a bit concerning that the 2027 classes were "meh" as well.

And if I'm CH or BL I'm satisfied because we're continuing to lock in sufficient talent to be #1-#4 in the league every single year and make a serious playoff run.

Not a Madlax dad, but they did fine in the fall when the fly-ins were there. I wouldn't personally travel from FL or MI for one lax game, but if those fly-in kids have family here or are otherwise willing to do it -- and remember that True kids did it last year, purportedly from even farther away -- then they may be competitive enough.

ML will be better this year than they were last year. Other teams have improved too. But ML will compete for spot in top 4.

I hear the Hawks goalie is headed to McD. He's definitely out of town.

Time will tell.

Fake news

He’s very good, too. One of the best in the class.
Heard a couple Hawks kids headed to IAC/WCAC schools in DC. Any truth to that?

LMAO.

Who will be the top two in Elite and AAA? Who is bringing home the trophy?

Madlax did fine avoiding Next Level and DC Express and playing in lower tournaments.

Hawks in Elite.
DC Express Orange in AAA

Madlax with the fly ins is embarrassing but so are the holdbacks.

Again, not a ML dad so I won't defend their ducking local teams - agreed that's pretty weak - but they had a quality win over Duke's Elite when they had their fly-ins in tow, then laid an egg at NAL where I understand they did not have them. That's why I think they'll go as far in HOCO as their fly-ins will take them, but doubt they're a top four team even with them (especially if they lost their big middie).

Cabel will suprise you. But I think a solid 5th place finish is in their future.

Is their ‘big’ middie big or just old? Asking seriously because I’ve never seen him. Also CM will for sure do whatever it takes to keep that team afloat - hopefully he is at least paying for the flying in?? Because otherwise those parents should check themselves.

7th place if they can beat Team 91, which is not a lock

Old. Like fall 2008 old. No longer big. In fact, he looks average in height at best, maybe done at 5-7. But he’s very, very good. One of the top 2028 players in the class (would be on the older side in 2027 class). With him, they can compete with the lower half teams. Without him— they will finish dead last in Elite div

Hawks, FCA, Crabs, DC Express easily top 4. 91 may not win a game. If Team Money brings in 5-7 Freedom players they could compete for top 4. AAA goes to Team Maryland with Clippers right behind them.

He was really big compared to the boys he was playing against two seasons ago. Still had a size advantage last season although less so than 2022. Every team in Hoco elite now has six footers in their midfield and D that can match up (and yeah, every Hoco elite team has holdbacks, so...) so not sure how much advantage he'll have this year. That said even without the size advantage he has great velocity on his shots so watch out if he gets his hands free.

Next Level picked up some former ML kids including, reportedly, the much-discussed middie, so I wouldn't count them out.

They play FCA this weekend so we’ll know soon. The kid is good but his advantage is diminished since the other kids are now bigger and faster than he is. Things are easy when you’re the first to hit puberty.

L
Saw both teams play up close in the fall. Next Level might be deeper down the roster than DCE, certainly at Attack— but I’d say starting lineup vs starting lineup it’s DCE heads up. Close Defense at DCE is stacked.

Madlax finished 3rd in the regular season and lost to FCA in OT in the playoffs. If you think this team of scabs from VLC and True Chesapeake is going to top that— I need some of what you’re on

I agree with the top 4 in this order: Hawks, FCA, DC Express, and Crabs.

AAA I think is a toss up. Team Maryland and Clippers are good, but DC Express has some fast long poles that others will need to watch.

Team Maryland, DC Express Orange, Clippers.

Referring to a bunch of teenage boys as a "team of scabs" just makes you an utter @$$hole. Post your kids' team and number so we can all know how to characterize him.

Disagree. While at middie and face-off ml took a step back - at attack and LSM the replacement players are comparable. ML slightly improved at defense (mostly because the penalty machine defender went to dce - addition by subtraction). But ML improved dramatically at goalie with one of the best goalies in 28. I think ML will finish 4th at HOCO.

ML still have the 15 yr old or is he finally playing on age?

Let me guess.... You are one of the True parents/kids that came over to ML.

But you do make a good point about the penalty machine defender. Penalties do lose game.

I can help you.

My kid isn't a scab.

Agree with all points.
CH, BL and McD are getting elite talent. They will be in the hunt the next few years.But they will be hard rosters to crack for most kids who aren't elite.
StP MSJ and JC are pushing hard and getting lots of AAA and AA kids. They should improve in the next couple years compared to their current places.
Severn and Gilman are in tough spots right now. Kinda niche schools relative to the conference.

Oh I forgot— all the true kids, who literally never finished above .500 in HoCo, came along and replaced all the little Scoopers at Madlax. So yeah, somehow they’ll be better.

Meanwhile, DCE and Next Level will have played each other 4 times locally— no fear of losing to the other, no dodging, no banning the other from events to avoid having to play them. A healthy rivalry. Feel sorry for the kids who signed up for the CM madness at Madlax… make sure you have a coach ready to step in the next time he gets removed from a tournament for putting his hands on a ref.

Madlax D always turns to swiss cheese in post season. Went 0-3 in their last 3 playoff games, giving up 13, 15, and 12 goals. They needed new blood. Best of luck to kids who moved on.

Sir, you are clearly suffering from Madlax derangement syndrome. For your sake and the sake of your family, please seek help. The topic of conversation is where the various elite teams will end up. The topic is not the character (or lack there of) of the coaches. Keep it together man.

Ok. Back to the “topic conversation.” They’ll finish second to last if they can get past Team 91. And CM will likely get booted from a game. Over/Under on tha is 55%. Draftkings should have it posted live before the first game March 23rd.

False. ML will beat T91, team money, and FCA. They will be competitive with DCE NL and Crabs. If they win just one of those games they are at 4th. Btw the over under you described does not make sense. I’m no fan of Cabble but you clearly have little to know idea what you’re talking about. Please seek help. You hsve my best wishes for your recovery.

McCabe Millon is off to a great start to his college career. He might be the best 20 yr old freshman in college right now.

I love that your defense is that an O/U line should be set at 0.5 (-122) instead of 55%, and not that he's not likely to be kicked out.

Ok. The line is now -122 that Cabell’s team goes down 0-3 in the semifinals and he takes his team and goes home a La Naptown.

It was great to get back to lacrosse this weekend, but not a lot of competition among the HoCo teams themselves, so it's hard to draw any conclusions as to who is hot and who is not. But here is my best shot at rankings.

Tier 1 - Hawks

Tier 2 - Crabs, FCA

Tier 3 - DCE

Tier 4 - Next Level

Tier 5 - Madlax, 91, Team Money

Okay, finally some real results to talk about. Weekend action from NL March Invitational and Spring Thaw. Rankings are US Club Lacrosse FWIW. Results from Tourney Machine:

Hawks 16-0 NXT (68)
Hawks 15-2 Barnstormers (nr)
Hawks 11-4 Freedom (14)

Crabs 16-0 Barnstormers (nr)
Crabs 6-5 Freedom (14)
Crabs 16-1 NJ Express (89)

ML 6-11 Freedom (14)
ML 7-1 NJ Express (89)
ML 8-6 NXT (68)

NL 3-6 DCE (24)
NL 3-9 Red Hots (4)
NL 8-6 Clippers (56)
NL 4-5 FCA (not sure why but nr; if I'm guessing I put them 10-15)
NL 4-10 Leading Edge (3)

FCA 3-5 Leading Edge (3)
FCA 5-4 NL (19)
FCA 8-3 Clippers (56)

91 3-10 Red Hots (4)
91 8-2 NJ Riot (59)
91 3-8 Nationals LC (nr)

Clippers 6-8 NL (19)
Clippers 4-9 Leading Edge (3)
Clippers 3-8 FCA (nr)

DCE 6-3 NL (19)
DCE 4-9 Leading Edge (3)
DCE 2-4 Red Hots (4)
DCE 12-6 Nationals LC (nr)

Observations

--Level of competition was higher at NL March Invitational. Hard to gauge Crabs/ML/Hawks versus some of the teams they played other than Philadelphia Freedom.
--Clippers went 0-3 but overachieved, kept it close versus some good teams.
--NL needs to fix things quickly, 1-4 at their own tournament, still having trouble scoring.
--Expected bigger margin of victory from FCA.
--DCE looking like a top 4 Hoco team at the expense of NL and ML. Early Hoco playoff predictions are (1) Hawks, (2) FCA, (3)/(4) DCE/Crabs.

Usual caveats that the weather was terrible and that teams are still experimenting with schemes and personnel.