With hotbeds residing within the Mid-Atlantic region, the competition is sure to be fierce as the 2020 season unfolds. Calvert Hall (Md.) is a familiar face at No. 1, but there are juggernaut teams all across this region.

*US Lacrosse Magazine recently released its Nike/US Lacrosse High School Boys' Preseason National Top 25. Check it out here.

1. Calvert Hall (Md.)
Last season: 17-1

The Cardinals are ready to get the 2020 season going and look to capture their fourth straight MIAA-A conference title. Coach Bryan Kelly enters his 29th season with Calvert Hall and has a great shot at reaching 300 wins for his career this season. The strength will be on offense with Daniel Kelly, Calvert Hall’s all-time leading scorer, and sophomore Truitt Sunderland. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for senior Cole Herbert, a midfielder who was named to the U.S. U-19 roster, and Ryan Kilcoyne, who is a stud on the defensive end.

US Lacrosse Magazine staff writer Nelson Rice recently featured Calvert Hall in a story that appeared in the March 2020 magazine. You can read that story online here.

2. Bullis (Md.)
Last season: 21-3

Bullis will look to continue on a winning track in 2020 after claiming its second straight IAC championship last year. The Bulldogs have to replace Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year Robert Schain, but they will rely on a solid core of returning players, such as goalie Jack Fracyon, defenders Tyler Kuehl and Ethan Till and offensive leaders Isaac Aronson, Gus Weiner and Connor Davis. Coach Jeff Bellistri enters his sixth season with Bullis, which will be tested by the likes of Gonzaga (D.C.) and Malvern Prep (Pa.) this season.

3. Gonzaga (D.C.)
Last season: 18-3

The Purple Eagles have five returning starters and 28 overall returners from last year's team that won a second straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. The defense and first midfield line will be strengths, but 13th year coach Casey O’Neill says the Eagles will have young attack and goalkeeping units. Gonzaga should be tested right out of the gate in the non-conference schedule while playing five teams that finished in the US Lacrosse Magazine Top 25 last season.

4. Mountain Lakes (N.J.)
Last season: 17-2

The Lakers climbed into the top 5 of the national ranking last season after defeating Delbarton for the Tournament of Champions title and downing Manasaquan (N.J.) and Summit (N.J.) along the way. Mountain Lakes had a sensational senior class, but the Lakers won’t falter with its strong returning group. Seniors John DeFazio (Salisbury), Alexander Kuehm, Phillip Lobber and Thomas Moran are looking to step up, but keep an eye on the sophomore class, as well, with Alexander Buna on defense, Cade Shuckman at midfield and Ryan McLaughlin at LSM.

5. Malvern Prep (Pa.)
Last season: 16-5

The Friars ride into 2020 on a high note after winning the Inter-Ac championship last year by defeating rival Haverford (Pa.) in double-overtime. Now they want to sustain their success, but it will be tough with a target on their backs. Malvern Prep wouldn’t have it any other way. The Friars play a challenging schedule in and out of conference.

6. Delbarton (N.J.)
Last season: 17-2

Delbarton opens the season determined to get back to the Tournament of Champions and win a title after falling short last year. The Green Wave is loaded with talent in the starting lineup and has great depth on the roster. They may have one of the best senior classes in the country with Jack Cerza, Tommy Jepson, CJ Kirst, Christopher Nichols and Cole Krauss leading the way.

7. St. Stephen & St. Agnes (Va.)
Last season: 18-6

The Saints aim to win their fourth VISSA championship in five years, as they look to returners such as Luke Fisher (Furman) to lead the way. Sophomores Will McCulloch and Charlie Reynolds also are players to watch this season. The Saints open March 6 against MIAA power Archbishop Spalding (Md.).

8. St. Mary’s Annapolis (Md.)
Last season: 13-6

St. Mary’s finished as the surprise runner-up for the MIAA-A conference championship last season, but it’s clear the Saints aren’t a one-hit wonder. They were impressive in 2019 and return a ton of that same talent. Coach Victory Lilly and his staff are set to put together another winning season with seniors Alex Witts, Gabe Souza and Will Tominovich serving as the voices in the huddle and the playmakers on the field.

9. Haverford (Pa.)
Last season: 17-5

The Fords were stunned in the PA-IAC championship game last year and enter the season with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Jack Leary, Chris Tsetsekos, Bobby Blewitt and Brennan McBride look to lead Haverford back to title contention this season. The Fords open against St. Paul’s (March 10) and McDonogh (March 13) from the MIAA.

10. Seton Hall Prep (N.J.)
Last season: 21-2

Seton Hall Prep returns a strong team led by a battle-ready senior class. The Pirates boast three Inside Lacrosse Power 100 seniors in Connell Kumar (Virginia), Luke Blanc (UMass) and Kyle Stephenson (Michigan), and coach Ross Turco said it’s a close-knit group with athleticism and talent. The Pirates will be tested by a tough non-conference schedule, which includes Malvern Prep and Gonzaga.