High School Games to Watch: BL Gets Next Crack at Spalding Buzzsaw

Led by havoc-wreaking, pole goal-scoring machine Robby Hopper, Archbishop Spalding (Md.) has made mincemeat of everyone on its schedule.

The Cavaliers are 7-0. They're ranked No. 4 nationally and have outscored opponents 99-42. No one has reached double figures against Spalding, an impressive feat considering its non-conference slate included matchups with The Hill Academy (Ontario), Western Reserve (Ohio) and Bullis (Md.) — all powerhouses in their own right.

Now it's time for the MIAA. Conference play gets underway Friday with the Cavaliers hosting No. 15 Boys' Latin (Md.) in our National Game of the Week.

Each Thursday here at USA Lacrosse Magazine, we’ll highlight upcoming games to watch in our respective regions of coverage. National rankings denoted below in National Game of the Week, regional rankings denoted in Regional Games of the Week.

National Game of the Week

No. 15 Boys' Latin (Md.) (4-2) at No. 4 Archbishop Spalding (Md.) (7-0)
Friday, 4 p.m. EDT | National Top 25

The Lakers have had six days to recover from a humbling 10-1 defeat to Lawrenceville (N.J.). It does not bode well that they've managed just a shade more than seven goals per game despite boasting one of the nation's best players in Matt Higgins. With both defenses locked in as they've been, a low-scoring game could be at hand.

Mid-Atlantic Game of the Week

Ridgewood (N.J.) (0-0) at No. 5 Delbarton (N.J.) (1-1)
Saturday 11 a.m. EDT | Mid-Atlantic Top 10

Delbarton made a splash with its season-opening win over Haverford School (Pa.) but suffered a 12-5 setback Wednesday at New England West powerhouse Brunswick (Conn.).

South Game of the Week

No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) (12-2) at No. 1 Benjamin (Fla.) (14-1)
Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT | South Top 10

Benjamin has been the big story out of the South this year but will get a stiff test from St. Thomas Aquinas, which has hung close in losses to Boys' Latin (Md.) and McDonogh (Md.) this year. Benjamin won last year's matchup 12-7.

Midwest Game of the Week

No. 6 Upper Arlington (Ohio) (0-2) at No. 5 St. Xavier (Ohio) (2-0)
Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT | Midwest Top 10

Hard to fault Upper Arlington for losses against Archbishop Spalding (Md.) and Salesianum (Del.). The Golden Bears will get a better gauge against Khalif Hocker and St. Xavier, which boast wins over Charlotte Catholic (N.C.) and Archbishop Moeller (Ohio).

West Game of the Week

No. 5 Marin Catholic (Calif.) (9-2) at No. 8 Sacred Heart (Calif.) (5-3)
Friday, 8 p.m. EDT | West Top 10

If St. Ignatius (Calif.) is the barometer, SHP put up a better fight, losing by three to the Wildcats whereas Marin Catholic suffered a 17-4 loss to them last week.