Spalding continues reign with a second straight MIAA A Championship

by Derek Toney

Archbishop Spalding knew trying to win another MIAA A Conference football championship would be difficult after a dominant run to the crown last year. The Cavaliers leaned on their experience to overcome several challenges during the season.

In its defining moment Sunday evening, Spalding left little doubt. The Cavaliers defeated McDonogh, 40-7, in the MIAA A title game at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium.

Spalding dominated the final 24 minutes to complete a second straight clean trek to the MIAA A crown. The Cavaliers (10-2 overall) are the first team to go back-to-back since St. Frances won three straight from 2016 to 2018.

Here’s some key highlights.

Two pick sixes spark the Cavaliers

With McDonogh up 7-0 and in Spalding’s territory, Sean Johnson produced arguably Spalding’s biggest play Sunday. The sophomore defensive back snagged a pass off the hands of Eagle receiver Jeff Exinor and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, starting a 40-point run.

“It comes down to the championship and making plays,” said Johnson, who has early scholarship offers from Maryland and Virginia Tech. “We stayed humbled.”

Spalding had a pair of pick-six scores as junior Trent Gillis added an easy 12-yard return. 

University of Maryland commit Keyshawn Flowers blooms in big way

Jabbed early by McDonogh’s short passing game, Spalding lowered the boom in the form of Keyshawn Flowers. The University of Maryland commit was unstoppable in the second half, blitzing Eagle sophomore quarterback Braeden Palazzo.

Flowers, a 6-2, 215-pound inside linebacker, had two sacks and a tackle for loss in the second half.

“We’ve been doing it for years now…we set the tone. We came out and performed today,” said Flowers. “We prepared for it and it showed.”

The Cavaliers kept McDonogh out of the end zone over the final eight possessions as junior cornerback Jayden Shipps had an interception. Linemen Zack Philpott (sophomore) and junior Delmar White each finished with two sacks.

Spalding coach Kyle Schmitt said Flowers was primarily dropping back into coverage for most of the regular season.

“After the first Loyola game, we decided t0 let him loose because he’s at his best when he’s getting after the quarterback,” said Schmitt, who commended longtime defensive coordinator Tyrone Forby. “He was special again tonight. He’s one of the best defensive players I’ve ever coached.”

Malik Washington finds his groove

Malik Washington didn’t have one of his best games Sunday, but, like his teammates, played better in the second half.

Washington, who engineered five consecutive scoring drives, went 6-of-7 for 67 yards and ran for a score.

“We were tight. We had to loosen up, enjoy the moment and go take it,” said Washington. “They’re (McDonogh) not going to lay down and let us win.”

After a strong opening possession that ended with him catching his own pass for no gain on 4th down, Washington went 0-for-8. The junior was able to elude three McDonogh defenders for a 14-yard run midway through the second quarter, leading to Cooper Welch’s 30-yard field goal for a 10-7 Cavalier advantage.

Washington ended his throwing slump with a 18-yard pass to Holy Cross commit RJ Newton on 3rd-and-12 late in the first half, helping to get another Welch’s field goal (33 yards). He connected again with Newton for another big 3rd down gain, setting up his 1-yard run.

“I think we were trying to make it up in one play and you can’t do that,” said Washington, one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in the Class of 2025 who plans to narrow his college choices to five after the new year. “At the end of day, I didn’t care if I threw for 300 yards or we ran for 300 yards or zero, we won the game and I’m proud of my guys.”

Eagles grounded

McDonogh’s aspirations for a first MIAA A championship since 2014 pretty much ended in the opening six minutes of the second half.

After Chase Green was dropped for a 4-yard loss on the first play from scrimmage, Palazzo threw a slant pass that was a little ahead of Exinor’s break right to Gillis who jogged into the end zone. The Eagles went on three-and-out on their next possession and Spalding went 46 yards in three plays to extend the lead to 27-7 with 9:18 left.

McDonogh (7-3) advanced from its 24 to Spalding’s 39 in four plays to start its next possession. After a sack by Flowers and delay of game penalty, Palazzo was again blitzed and threw his third interception with 5 minutes, 21 seconds left in the third quarter.

Spalding went 66 yards in 10 plays, capped with Washington’s 1-yard score.

Game over.

“You can’t give Spalding easy points, you got to make them work for it,” said McDonogh coach Hakeem Sule.

Despite the disappointing end, Sule said his team “exceeded expectations” this season.

“We weren't quite sure what type of team we would have, but this was a resilient team all season. They really played for one another,” said Eagles coach Hakeem Sule. “This is one of the better seasons we’ve had in recent years. We came up a little bit short, but you got to tip your hat to Kyle (Schmitt) and Spalding….they came to play today.”

Cavalier Dynasty

More than a decade after joining the MIAA A after a successful run in the B Conference under late coach Mike Whittles, Spalding has become the standard in the A league. The Cavaliers have won 22 of 23 league games (including postseason) starting from the 2021-22 campaign. Last year, Spalding won its eight league games by an average of 27 points en route to its first A title.

Their repeat required some work. They needed a fourth quarter push to win at McDonogh during the regular season and outlasted Loyola Blakefield in overtime. 

Spalding trailed Loyola at halftime in the semifinals before a 21-0 third quarter run sealed its return to the final.

“The league was stronger this year. McDonogh was better, Loyola and Mount St. Joseph was better in spots,” said Schmitt.

The Cavaliers said playing Pennsylvania powers St. Joseph’s Prep and Imhotep Academy in non-league was beneficial.

“It’s way easier to win a championship coming after a loss,” said senior tight end Jameson Coffman, who scored two touchdowns. “Once you win it, there’s a sense of complacency, but you can’t because the second time is even harder. You have to work harder than the first time, and that’s what we did.”