Trying to find a special balance to claim a boys soccer state title

River Hill football coach Matt Shagogue describes this special time of the season – the MPSSAA boys soccer playoffs open with region play on Wednesday – as a delicate balancing attack.

In the end, after the region and state games, four teams will stand with the largest plaques.

“You have to reset and start over because this is basically the third part of the season. You’ve got the preseason, the regular season, and now this is it. It’s very certain because you can play today and then “Boom!” tomorrow it’s gone,” said Shagogue, who guided the Hawks to the Class 3A title last year. “So you want to build that urgency and understanding, but also honor the process, the moment and the journey for the kids. It’s very different.”

Last year, two area teams joined River Hill in capturing state titles with C. Milton Wright winning 2A and Liberty the last team standing in 1A. There will be a new champion in 3A with River Hill dropping to 2A this season.

Here’s a breakdown of the four state classifications and the biggest questions for each heading into the postseason.

Class 4A

After a decade-long drought, can a local team make a strong run to win the 4A crown?

Perry Hall was the last area team to capture the 4A title in 2015 with Montgomery Blair being this year’s defending champion.

The majority of teams competing in the largest classifications come from outside the region. The Eastern Conference, and especially No. 8 Broadneck (13-1), giving the region its best chance to bring home a champion.

The Bruins have won 12 straight games and avenged their only loss when they beat then-No. 6 Severna Park, 2-1, in Saturday’s Anne Arundel County championship game. They come in as the second seed in Region II East with Leonardtown earning the top spot. Rivals Anne Arundel and No. No. 10 Crofton, the fourth seed in the same bracket, is another top contender at 10-1-1. Broadneck defeated the Cardinals, 2-1, in the regular season finale on October 16.

Class 3A

Which area teams are best prepared to emulate River Hill’s championship lead?

Despite the departure of champion River Hill and its Howard County counterpart, Mount Hebron, which also dropped to 2A, the classification remains stacked with area teams poised to advance to the final day of the season.

The North II Region is one of the strongest regions in any classification with the No. 1 champion. 9 Centennial (10-1-1) and Baltimore County and No. 12 Catonsville capable. Centennial’s Howard County foe, Marriotts Ridge (9-4-1), is also in the mix.

Reservoir (9-3-1) earned the top seed in South Region I and while perennial state power Towson had an uncharacteristic 7-5 regular season, the Generals can still be heard in a finished playoff scenario.

Class 2A

2022 champions, can undefeated Glenelg complete the perfect season?

Any team that goes through Howard County’s demanding regular season schedule has a special lineup and the Gladiators impressively did just that.

Carroll County foe Century (8-4-1) will likely present their first direct challenge in the West Region I and there will be many more after that. Defending champion C. Milton Wright (10-3) is the top seed in East Region I and its region rivals — River Hill and Mount Hebron — look to be in West Region II.

One of the region’s most special and enduring playoff rivalries takes place in East Region I with the defending champion Mustangs once again looking to fend off second-seeded Bel Air.

Class 1A

Is Harford County the place to find a new 1A champion?

Despite an uncharacteristic 4-5-2 mark, defending champion Liberty can’t be counted out in North Region II, but North Region I — featuring then-No. 13 Patterson Mill (10-1-1) and Harford Tech (10-2-1) — might have state championship stuff.

These teams are the top two seeds in the bracket and the winners will be battle-tested and tough to beat. South Carroll (8-5-1) is the top seed in West Region II with last year’s state runner-up Brunswick looking to return to the big game as the second seed.

Have a news tip? Contact Glenn Graham at ggraham@baltsun.com410-332-6636 and x.com/GlennGrahamSun.

News
Berita
News Flash
Blog
Technology
Sports
Sport
Football
Tips
Finance
Berita Terkini
Berita Terbaru
Berita Kekinian
News
Berita Terkini
Olahraga
Pasang Internet Myrepublic
Jasa Import China
Jasa Import Door to Door