MAC AND JOSH: McDonogh senior Josh Fitch (left), with local lacrosse historian, Mac Kennedy, said of Friday's McDonogh boys lacrosse game opposite arch rival Gilman, "anything between Gilman and McDonogh is always big."
by Lem Satterfield
(See video highlights and interviews, below)
When it comes to rivalries, there are few as long-standing and as traditional as those between Calvert Hall and Loyola, and Gilman and McDonogh.
And when it comes to high school lacrosse, there are few leagues -- either locally or nationally -- that are as deep, talented or intense as that of the Baltimore-based Maryland Interscholstic Athletic Association's A Conference.
So when Calvert Hall, ranked No. 2 in the DigitalSports Top 20, takes the field opposite efending MIAA A Conference champion Loyola for Friday's 5 p.m. tournament semifinal, expect the stands at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium to be packed.
Although local lacrosse historian, Mac Kennedy, was referring to the Calvert Hall-Loyola atchup when he said, "It's oil and water on the field...but what makes it fun is that off of the field, they hang out with each other...," much the same could be said of the Gilman-McDonogh game, which will be played at 7:15 at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
"In talking to all of my friends and and other students, anything between Gilman and McDonogh is always big. The rivalry is rich in tradition, and anytime they go at it, it's always like a battle, but everyone's always full of respect for each other after the game," said McDonogh's Josh Fitch, a National Preps champion and four-time MIAA and private schools state wrestling champion.
Fitch's former wrestling teammates, Curtis Holmes and KC Woods, are a midfielder and defender, respectively, for the Eagles' lacrosse team.
"After being at McDonogoh for four years, I've been to all four McDonogh-Gilman football games, and they're huge," said Fitch. "Everyone steps up their game for that. It never matters who the favorite is on those days. Everyone is always so hyped up, you never know who is going to win. They're always a lot of fun to go to."
Kennedy and Fitch, the latter of whom is working his senior project with DigitalSports, spoke about the intense traditions between the four teams and addressed how they expect things to play out.