McDonogh School (Md.) outlasts St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

This week has many high school football classics taking part throughout the country and another kicking off was the Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic with McDonogh School (Md.) and St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) starting things off on Friday afternoon.

The Eagles (2-0) had already gotten a head start to their season with a 48-6 rout of Riverdale Baptist last week and continued its offensive outburst with another one at Abessinio Stadium. McDonogh School used a big rushing performance from running back Mason Graham and rolled to a 38-21 victory over St. Anthony’s.

McDonogh School’s offense displayed multiple threats on offense

With the multitude of options on offense for McDonogh School on Friday afternoon, it became a little bit of a free for all.

Eagles’ quarterback Braeden Palazzo was impressive behind center as the southpaw finished completing 17 of 22 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Next to Palazzo was running back Mason Graham, who carried the rock 17 times for 106 yards and a score.

Another couple standouts on the day was 6-foot-4, 215-pound tight end Caden Cashman (two catches, 32 yards), Carlos Ferguson (five catches, 32 yards) and Ryan Drakeford (three catches 70 yards). It was a solid day on offense for the Eagles and plenty of players showed out in the regular season opener.

St. Anthony’s Xavier Bala impresses

The 2027 running back came into Friday afternoon’s game as the top running back out of the Empire State. For the folks on hand at Abessinio Stadium, they quickly found out why Xavier Bala is a hot commodity for college recruiters out there.

Bala finished the game with 166 yards on 24 carries and scoring three touchdowns. The junior dynamo also added two catches for 34 yards to put Bala at 200 all-purpose against one of Maryland’s top high school football programs.

Whenever St. Anthony’s needed to make a play, Bala was the undisputed go-to-player for the Knights as they open up their season with multiple region powers. Bala will get another chance early on to show his stuff against top notch competition as the Friars will also face Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) on Sep. 13.

Georgia commit Nick Abrams led a stout front seven

Though the Eagles gave up 166 to Bala, New York’s top running back, it doesn’t take away from the defensive effort McDonogh School had on the dais.

Standing out amongst them all was four-star linebacker Nick Abrams, who is committed to the Georgia Bulldogs. The talented backer displayed his ability to go sideline-to-sideline in making plays on the defensive front seven.

Abrams playing alongside fellow four-star Joseph Buchanan, who stars on the defensive line, showcased one of the better front seven units in all of the DMV. Well, maybe exception of No. 2 nationally-ranked St. Frances Academy.

How to Follow Maryland High School Football

For high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Old Line State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the country.