Archbishop Spalding completes A Conference football four-peat

by Derek Toney

As his few remaining teammates winded down celebrating with family and friends after Archbishop Spalding football team’s victory in the MIAA A Conference championship game late Saturday evening, Aaron Igwebe thought back to when he was a freshman on varsity four years ago. 

“It’s crazy…it’s been ups and downs,” said Igwebe, standing on the track at Whittles Field. “I’m so grateful for everybody that was part of this journey.”

A journey like no other in MIAA football history ended for Igwebe with the Cavaliers’ 30-22 decision over McDonogh. Senior running back Ledbetter rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns and Cam Miller had a 99-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

Down two scores in the first half and trailing in the fourth quarter for the first time in a MIAA A game in several years, Spalding (10-2 overall) didn’t flinch, becoming the first program to win four consecutive league championships outright.

McDonogh, which was in the B Conference when the MIAA was formed in 1995, claimed three straight B titles (1997-1999) and won the B Silver Division title in 2000. Gilman, which won 13 A titles over 19 seasons under current University of Michigan associate coach Biff Poggi, won five straight titles (1998-2002), sharing the 2001 crown with McDonogh. 

There was no A postseason tournament until 2011. 

Twenty years after the “Godfather” of Spalding football, Mike Whittles, led the Anne Arundel school to its first football title (B), the Cavaliers entered MIAA immortality Saturday on the field named in his honor. 

Whittles died in 2012 after a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer.

“Mike Whittles built an amazing foundation at Spalding…the blueprint was in place,” said Cavaliers coach Kyle Schmitt, who joined Whittles with four championships at Spalding. “Tough kids, who loved the school, who loved the program, and frankly, they love each other.”

The Cavaliers extended their league-record win streak to 34, including the postseason. Spalding’s last loss was against McDonogh in the 2021 semifinals, a 7-0 decision ending the Cavaliers’ perfect season. 

The Eagles (8-3) were poised for another shocker at Whittles Field Saturday, leading 16-3 late in the first half. Igwebe’s one-handed touchdown catch before halftime tilted momentum for Spalding.

“They (McDonogh) had all the momentum,” said Igwebe, a Towson University commit. “Their crowd was jumping in the stands…we had to make a play.”

The Cavaliers stacked big plays in the second half with Miller’s being the biggest. After McDonogh regained the lead, the sophomore gathered the ensuing kickoff just inside the goal line.

Miller found a crease, skirting by two Eagles defenders and eluded a final defender into the clear with 10 minutes, 25 seconds left in regulation.

“He's one of the best players in the state. 

It changed the whole outlook,” said Schmitt. “But our guys rode the wave, and they finished when we needed to.”

“We came out thinking it was going to be a regular game.” said Miller. “Offense wasn’t clicking but we scored before halftime and got momentum. Coach Schmitt said at halftime keep putting our foot on the gas and we stepped up.”

Ledbetter, one of 19 seniors, rushed for 155 yards over the final three quarters including a 40-yard break out in the second quarter, leading to a field goal. His 13-yard score gave Spalding its first lead, 17-16, with 8:27 left in the third quarter.

McDonogh, with backup quarterback Jackson Herbert in for a shaken up Braden Palazzo, answered. Herbert, a freshman, connected with junior wide receiver Carlos Ferguson (eight receptions for 126 yards) in the corner for a 22-17 advantage. 

Fifteen seconds later, Miller was in the end zone and Spalding was back in the lead. The Eagles couldn’t respond as Palazzo, a four-year senior starter, was taken out for concussion protocol after hitting the turf on a blitz tackle.

Ledbetter did all the work on a six-play, 36-yard drive, ending it with a four-yard score with 6:23 left in regulation.

“We knew they (McDonogh) were going to have something else for us, but it's just about keep going and not getting complacent,” said Ledbetter, who added a 34-yard reception. “We weren't worried when it was a close game.”

Spalding defeated McDonogh, 35-13, during the regular season. Saturday, the Eagles slowed the tempo of the game, using most of the play clock. McDonogh went 20 plays on the game’s first drive, resulting in a field goal.

The Eagles went 59 yards in seven plays for their first touchdown as Palazzo (13-of-23, 230 yards) rolled out and hit Caden Cashman from eight yards out. After Spalding got on the scoreboard with a field goal, CJ Davis (five catches for 118 yards) nabbed a slant pass from Palazzo and went untouched 89 yards for a score, extending the Eagles’ lead to 16-3. 

McDonogh sent the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving the Cavaliers the ball at their 40.

Five plays later, Spalding freshman quarterback Brian Snowden sent a ball to the post where Igwebe extended his right hand to capture the ball with 21 seconds left before halftime.

McDonogh coach Hakeem Sule knew Spalding would be a different team in the second half. The Eagles scored first in the regular season matchup, before the Cavaliers methodically took over.

“They do a great job making adjustments. I wasn’t quite sure how we would respond and I thought we did,” said Sule, whose team lost for the third straight year in the title game. “We kept it close…had a couple of bad breaks and then Kam Miller has a 99-yard kickoff return…you’re talking about one more inch, one more yard, that’s the difference between winning the championship and not.”

Last year, a historic defensive effort and quarterback Malik Washington headlined Spalding’s greatest season (12-0). Washington is now starting as a freshman at the University of Maryland.

The Cavaliers wanted to prove this season they’re still formidable without arguably the program’s greatest player.

“Malik’s the best of the best so we can’t act like he’s not, so people had to step up,” said Igwebe. “The junior class when he was a senior had to step up, and played great. We had a bunch of great players ready to step up.”

Spalding overcame injuries and departures to remain atop the area’s premier football league. The Cavaliers are 53-6 over the last five seasons including the historic 4-peat.

“We’re built on loving each other and working our butts off…it’s no secret formula,” said Schmitt. “We feel like we’re better at doing the same thing day after day without getting bored better than anybody else.”

Igwebe, Sean Johnson (defensive back; Florida State commit), and offensive linemen Kyle Lucas and Gavin Lapp each capped their varsity careers with a fourth MIAA A title.

“I’m so blessed to go through it all,” said Igwebe. “Four-for-four. I’m happy.”