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In the second installment of our Spring Forward series we take a look at some of the top public schools to catch play in 2019. More in depth team previews, rankings, and predictions are to come in the weeks leading up the beginning of the season so this is just a quick taste for now. Be sure to follow our Spring Forward series as we continue to take a look at and highlight some of the top players, programs, and conferences through a variety of categories. 

Missed our first Spring Forward story about some of the top private schools to see in 2019?
CLICK HERE: Spring Forward: Private Schools to Watch in 2019

Note: Teams are listed alphabetically. 

 

Appoquinimink (DE)

Appoquinimink looks poised to make another run like they did back in 2015 when they won the DIAA State Title. Senior RHP/3B Joseph Davis is back along with junior SS Jarrett Weglarz (Delaware) and sophomore sensation OF Lorenzo Carrier. This 2019 Jaguars will be a fun team to watch and we wouldn't be surprised to see them make a major run this year at getting to Frawley to play in the State Championship.

Chesapeake-AA

Since moving to 3A in 2016, Chesapeake-AA has finished runner-up in the State Championship twice (2016 and 2017) and reached the State Semifinals last season before losing 1-0 to Huntingtown. The Cougars will be without star RHP Joe Seidler this year who has since graduated and is now a freshman at Radford. Looking to fill the void in 2019 will be a talented mix of seniors and juniors that includes: Colby Buckheit (UMES), Dylan Young, James Hawkins, and Tommy Lewis. Expect the Cougars to keep it rolling and compete for yet another 3A East Regional Championship.

 

Dover (DE)

Dover has made it to the DIAA State Semifinals in five out of the last six seasons (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018), but have failed to get over the hump having lost in that round all five times. The Senators boast three senior Delaware St. commits in LHP Andrew Carney, 1B Michael Carrington, and RHP Hiram Davis. Add Junior RHP and University of Delaware commit Dominic Velazquez to that mix and the Senators look to have one of the strongest staff's in the state in 2019.

 

Howard

Howard has played for the 4A State Championship the past two seasons and are coming off an improbable comeback walk-off win last season to secure the program’s first state title in school history. Expect the Lions to make another run at the title with two senior power righties anchoring the staff in Gabe Delgado (UMBC) and Brendan Foster. Also, look for speedy Jerras Murray to set the table for the likes of Brian Jakubeck and Ryan Kulick on offense. 

 

Huntingtown

With three straight trips to at least the State Semifinals the Hurricanes look poised to make another run this year with the likes of Ryan Terrents (Towson), Clay Wargo (Coastal Carolina), and Joe Mozingo (USC Aiken) leading the way. Huntingtown will be looking to avenge their 3-2 State Championship loss to Thomas Johnson last year and get back to the mountaintop in 2019 like they did once before when they won it all in 2016. In order to do so however they will need to first get by what looks to be a very tough Northern team in the 3A South Region.

 

Northern (Cal.)

Northern will look to get over the hump in the 3A South Region in 2019 with what looks to be a pretty strong squad. Standing in their way is Huntingtown who have knocked the Patriots out of the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. Led by seniors Marcus Lee-Sang (St. John’s), Robert Jurney, and junior Cameron Snyder the Patriots will be a team to reckon with in the always strong SMAC Conference and 3A South Region.

 

Sherwood

The Warrior’s last 4A North Regional title came back in 2014 when they defeated Perry Hall in route to a State Championship appearance that year. Sherwood will look to get back to that Regional Championship game appearance that has eluded them having lost in the regional semifinals in each of the past four seasons. Seniors Michael Bouma (Maryland) and Benjamin Vok (Frostburg) are back for their final seasons and look to lead a solid group that includes a strong junior class with SS Luke Cheng (Illinois St.), RHP Ian Brady, and C Ethan Giacalone.

 

Walt Whitman

It’s been four years since the Vikings reached the 4A Regional Championship game in 2014 and three years since they have made it past the second round of the playoffs. This year could end both of those streaks however as they return a star studded senior class that includes OF Tyler DeMartino (West Virginia), OF Justin Carboni (PENN), and C Jack Ryan (UMBC). Look for 2020 RHP Mason Levin to anchor the pitching staff and a few underclassmen including 2021 OF Matt Dickstein, and 2021 OF/C Zack Zindler to add some depth and make an impact throughout the season. On the surface, the Vikings seem to lookdeep enough in 2019 to make a strong run in the always tough 4A West Region of the MPSSAA playoffs.