MIAA Preview: Oct. 17, 2008

Indian Creek and Towson Catholic matched up on Oct. 14, 2008.  (Kyle Knopp)

By: Jeff Seidel

FOOTBALL

One of the season's biggest games comes up on Saturday when Loyola hosts Mount St. Joseph at noon.

The Dons (6-0 overall, 1-0 in MIAA A Conference) have been truly perfect this season, dominating just about everyone on offense and defense. But St. Joe (4-1, 1-0) will give Loyola its toughest test so far this season.

But the Gaels will have to stop quarterback Leon Kinnard and running back Terence Garvin, something no one has been able to do so far this season. Plus, Loyola's not even had a close game yet this year.

Mount St. Joseph has been in three tight games, winning two, but Loyola also will likely remember the fact that the Gaels won last year's match-up.

SOCCER

The A Conference belongs to McDonogh so far this season as the Eagles are 11-0 in league play. They appear to have a good hold on the regular-season title, but they could have a tough match-up on Thursday against John Carroll.

The Patriots have been up and down this season after a 5-0 start and a few losses. They beat Gilman this week, but McDonogh might be too much for them. John Carroll will first have another tough game earlier in the week, taking on Mount St. Joseph on Tuesday.

Gilman tries to rebound from the John Carroll loss with a home game against Loyola Tuesday.

Annapolis Area Christian School has a big lead in the B Conference Division I action while Friends is just ahead of Park in B Conference Division II.

CROSS COUNTRY

Calvert Hall is trying to rebound from its loss to Mount Hebron at last week's Run From The Lions' Den at Liberty. The Cardinals are getting ready with late-season runs for the MIAA championship run on Nov. 5 at Oregon Ridge.

The Cardinals will be trying for a second consecutive A Conference championship, and they should be tough to beat with their strong pack led by Chris Swisko. The big question is whether or not Archbishop Spalding and its tough group of runners -- led by Zach Sullivan -- can have enough depth to score the needed points.

Posted October 17, 2008