In my first two seasons covering Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference boys lacrosse, there was always a team or two clearly to beat right from the start.

Two years ago, it was Gilman's stacked senior roster. Last year, Boys' Latin and eventual league champ St. Paul's were a slight notch above the rest.

This season? It's anybody's guess.

In the second week of league play, it's already clear that there are a handful of strong teams that could easily end up holding the big trophy by season's end. Last week made the front end of the area's Top 15 poll a milkshake.

St. Mary's was most responsible, beating then-No. 1 Boys" Latin and then-No. 3 Gilman to move from No. 6 to No. 1. Calvert Hall, young but overwhelmingly talented, showed it could stack up with the best with a win over defending league champ and then-No. 2 St. Paul's, which also lost to emerging McDonogh.

The stunner came on Friday when Severn surprised then-No. 8 Loyola, knocking the Dons out of the poll. Tuesday's games this week thickened the plot with St. Paul's getting a huge win at St. Mary's to hand the Saints their first loss. Loyola found answers with an upset win over Gilman.

Every team has strengths and weaknesses. Most every game will be there for the taking. To be continued ...

Here's a look at the current standings:

MIAA A Black Division

Overall League
Calvert Hall 7-0 3-0
McDonogh 7-1 3-0
St. Paul's 6-3 2-2
Loyola 5-3 1-2
Severn 6-5 1-3

MIAA A Red Division

St. Mary's 7-1 3-1
Boys' Latin 5-2 2-1
Gilman 3-3 1-2
Arch. Spalding 2-4 1-2
Mount St. Joseph 1-5 0-4