Here’s what you need to know for the 2024 high school football season in the Baltimore area:

Storylines to watch

Can anybody beat two-time defending champion Archbishop Spalding in the MIAA A Conference?With star quarterback Malik Washington and plenty of talented, well-prepared returnees on both sides of the ball, the No. 1 Cavaliers are poised for continued success, having not suffered a conference defeat over the past two seasons. In going 8-0 in conference play last season, capped by a 40-7 win over McDonogh in the championship game, the Cavs averaged 39 points while yielding 8.5 per game. Much of that success starts with a disciplined game-by-game approach that not only makes sure they’re ready for the next opponent, but consistently growing each week.

State champions Dunbar, Mervo continue Baltimore City rivalry in October: Mark your calendars: On Oct. 18, defending Class 4A/3A state champ Mervo travels to three-time Class 2A/1A defending state champ Dunbar in what will likely determine the Baltimore City league. Last season, Dunbar built a 20-6 lead before holding off Mervo’s fourth-quarter rally as the Poets claimed a 20-18 win and went on to repeat as Baltimore City champions. Returning running back Cole Floyd surpassed 100 rushing yards and scored a touchdown to lead the winners. Dunbar has won the past three meetings between the perennial state powers by a combined eight points.

Experienced quarterbacks poised to lead their teams to the top in Anne Arundel County: Three Anne Arundel County public school teams cracked The Baltimore Sun’s Top 15 poll — defending county champion Old Mill, Broadneck and Arundel — and each return their starting quarterbacks after successful seasons. The Patriots will lean on junior Trey Martini. The Bruins, who reached the Class 4A state title game, bank on CJ Watkins. And the Wildcats feature Ahmir Lowery. Much like last year’s league play, a lot of closely contested games can be expected with fourth-quarter drives making the difference. That’s when quarterback play becomes that much more vital, and all three signal-callers have had success in crunch time.MIAA B Conference up for grabs with teams coming and going: With last year’s champion Concordia Prep moving up to the A Conference and other teams coming and going, the B Conference is wide-open for the new eight-team field. B semifinalist St. Mary’s joins Concordia Prep in the A, while St. Vincent Pallotti comes down from the A. Severn and St. John’s Catholic Prep make the jump from the C. John Carroll, which reached the title game last season, and Archbishop Curley, which went 5-1 in league play during the regular season before getting upset by the Patriots in the semifinals, are the two mainstay favorites.

Franklin presses through tragedy; county leagues wide-open: Tragedy hit Franklin when junior guard Leslie Noble IV died after collapsing during the team’s first practice Aug. 14, leaving the team to rally together to prepare for a season dedicated to him. The Indians have a deep, senior-oriented roster that will be a strong contender in Baltimore County. Last season, Perry Hall pulled rank on Milford Mill, handing the Millers their first league loss since the 2021 season opener to wrest away the crown. The Gators come back younger, with Milford Mill and Dundalk joining Franklin as candidates capable of knocking them off. In Howard, Reservoir claimed its first county crown and will look to fend off a deep field led by Oakland Mills, Atholton and Glenelg. Harford County champion Patterson Mill should get a push from Edgewood with Harford Tech also planning to have a say. In Carroll County, defending champion Westminster and Liberty are the favorites with South Carroll in the mix.

Players to watch

Offense

Jeff Exinor, McDonogh, wide receiver, senior: Bringing dynamic talent with his explosive 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, Exinor produces big play after big play. Rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports, the Penn State commit earned All-Metro first-team honors last season after catching 72 passes for 872 yards and 11 touchdowns for MIAA A Conference runner-up McDonogh.

Amory Hills, Milford Mill, lineman, senior: Overpowering and wearing down opponents with his 6-6, 310-pound frame at left tackle, Hills emerged as the anchor of the offensive line as the No. 12 Millers reached the Class 2A state semifinals last season. The All-Metro first-team pick and three-star prospect committed to Maryland this summer.

Julien Horton, Bel Air, wide receiver, senior: The 6-foot, 175-pound Horton, a North Carolina commit and 2023 Aegis Player of the Year in Harford County, brings do-everything skills with a penchant for quick-strike plays. Last season, he caught 54 passes for 563 yards and seven touchdowns, added 183 rushing yards and two scores and also threw a 22-yard touchdown pass.

Jeremiah Koger, St. Frances, wide receiver, senior: The 6-1, 190-pound South Florida commit is a ball hawk, using instincts and quality hands to track and secure passes. It adds up to big plays. In his breakthrough junior season, he led the Panthers in catches and receiving yards while scoring 13 touchdowns to earn All-Metro second-team honors.

Jackson Taggart, Calvert Hall, tight end, senior: A versatile 6-7 and 230 pounds, Taggart possesses unique qualities that serve a dual purpose as a blocker and pass catcher. Coming off a 21-catch, 292-yard, four-touchdown junior season, he’ll be one of the Cardinals’ top red zone threats this season.

Malik Washington, Archbishop Spalding, quarterback, senior: The Maryland commit is looking to pick up where he left off in his third season as a starter, having led the two-time defending MIAA A champions to a 16-0 mark in league play. Washington accounted for more than 2,300 total yards and 27 touchdowns last season.

John Watkins, St. Frances, lineman, junior: The offensive line is one of the Panthers’ biggest strengths this season, and it starts with Watkins, a bullish 6-6, 330-pound guard who emerged as a leader in a sophomore year in which he earned All-Metro second-team honors. Along with his massive size, he moves well in space to open holes for the running game and protect the passer.

Tristian West, Liberty, tight end, senior: The 6-4, 207-pound West uses his overmatching size, agility and good hands to make the big splash plays. Last season, he made a team-high 34 receptions for 815 yards — averaging 24 yards per catch — with eight touchdowns. West also plays a big role on the Lions’ defensive line, wreaking havoc at end.

Savion Witherspoon, Dunbar, quarterback, senior: First and foremost, the Poets’ 6-3, 170-pound signal-caller is highly efficient in running the offense and using all of his playmakers. Last season, his first as a full-time starter, he threw for 1,400-plus yards with 12 touchdowns and just one interception while adding 400 rushing yards and four scores.

Tyler Womack, Annapolis, running back, senior: Quick to find the hole with breakaway speed, the 5-10, 170-pound Womack is one of the area’s top rushing threats. Last season, he ran the ball 211 times for 1,536 yards and 14 touchdowns — piling up six 100-plus yard games — while adding four catches for 74 yards and two scores.

Defense

Moses Bailey, Reservoir, lineman-linebacker, senior: With a tireless motor and explosive 6-3 frame, Bailey made an impressive adjustment from linebacker to defensive end last season and simply dominated. The All-Metro pick finished with a team-high 82 tackles, including 25 for loss, as well as a team-high 7 1/2 sacks.

Kwadwo Boampong, Wilde Lake, linebacker, senior

The 5-10, 165-pound Boampong uses his exceptional speed and instincts to cover a lot of ground in wrecking opposing game plans. Last season, the middle linebacker led Howard County in tackles with 137 and added 6 1/2 sacks.

Brian Checkley, Gilman, punter, senior: An All-Metro first-team pick last season, the 6-2, 215-pound Checkley has a strong and accurate leg to help the Greyhounds win the special teams battle. Last season, he averaged 43.6 yards on 34 punts with a long of 60 and placed 15 inside the 20-yard line.

Tyrin Chinn-Thompson, Broadneck, safety, senior: Always playing fast with fine instincts, the 6-foot, 175-pound Chinn-Thompson makes big plays at the line of scrimmage and at linebacker while standing out in coverage. Last season, he finished with 103 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception.

Brian Collins, Dunbar, lineman, senior: With an explosive burst and nose for the ball, the 6-2, 195-pound end earned All-Metro first-team honors last season after registering 22 sacks, 50 tackles — including 10 for loss — and recovering two fumbles for the Class 2A/1A state champion Poets.

Jireh Edwards, St. Frances, safety, junior: Bringing versatile play as a prototype safety, the 6-1, 198-pound Edwards can make thumping plays at the line and is equally adept at dropping back in coverage. Thriving at making big plays, he sets a resounding tone and opposing offenses have to know where he is at all times.

Brandon Finney, McDonogh, cornerback, senior: The 6-2, 185-pound Oregon commit brings quality size, athleticism and technical skills to press or cover receivers with equal efficiency. Recording three interceptions last season, Finney breaks well to consistently get to the catch point and locate the ball.

Kasir Hicks, Mervo, cornerback, senior: Ultra competitive who plays much bigger than his 5-9, 160-pound frame, Hicks leans on his speed, instincts and tenacity to effectively keep the ball out of opposing receivers’ hands. The All-Metro second-team selection had five interceptions last season in helping the Mustangs claim the Class 4A/3A state crown.

Darrion Smith, St. Frances, lineman, senior: The 6-3, 270-pound Tennessee commit is a major burst of explosive energy at defensive tackle. In addition to consistently making big plays in the opposition’s backfield, Smith draws added attention to create space for his teammates to make big plays.

Delmar White, Archbishop Spalding, lineman, senior: A dominant disruptor at end, White banks on brute strength and leverage to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Last season, the 6-2, 305-pound Maryland commit finished with 57 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and eight quarterback hurries.

Preseason Top 15 teams

1. Archbishop Spalding

Coach: Kyle Schmitt

Last season: 10-2 overall, ranked No. 1

Postseason: MIAA A Conference champion

2. St. Frances

Coach: Messay Hailemariam

Last season: 5-6, No. 2

Postseason: Did not participate

3. McDonogh

Coach: Hakeem Sule

Last season: 7-3, No. 4

Postseason: MIAA A Conference runner-up

4. Mount Saint Joseph

Coach: Donald Davis

Last season: 7-5, No. 7

Postseason: MIAA A Conference semifinalist

5. Dunbar

Coach: Michael Carter Sr.

Last season: 11-0, No. 6

Postseason: Class 2A/1A state champion

6. Loyola Blakefield

Coach: Blake Henry

Last season: 7-4, No. 5

Postseason: MIAA A Conference semifinalist

7. Concordia Prep

Coach: Joe Battaglia

Last season: 11-1, No. 3

Postseason: MIAA B Conference champion

8. Calvert Hall

Coach: Josh Ward

Last season: 4-7, not ranked

Postseason: Did not qualify in MIAA A Conference

9. Broadneck

Coach: Rob Harris

Last season: 11-3, No. 9

Postseason: Class 4A state finalist

10. Mervo

Coach: Patrick Nixon

Last season: 12-1, No. 9

Postseason: Class 4A/3A state champion

11. Milford Mill

Coach: Reggie White

Last season: 9-3, No. 12

Postseason: Class 2A state semifinalist

12. Arundel

Coach: Jack Walsh

Last season: 7-3, No. 15

Postseason: Class 3A South Region second round

13. Perry Hall

Coach: Ryan Pittillo

Last season: 12-1, No. 10

Postseason: Class 4A/3A state semifinalist

14. Old Mill

Coach: Joey Hall

Last season: 10-2, No. 11

Postseason: Class 4A state quarterfinalist

15. Reservoir

Coach: Matt Banta

Last season: 8-3, not ranked

Postseason: Class 4A/3A South Region finalist

Others considered: Dundalk (8-3), Forest Park (11-2), Franklin (6-6), John Carroll (7-5), Patterson Mill (9-2), Westminster (8-2)