Football poll countdown: No. 2 Calvert Hall
The Baltimore Sun's countdown of its preseason top 5 football teams nears its conclusion with today's look at No. 2 Calvert Hall.
The No. 1 poll in our official top 15 will be unveiled Thursday, as will the entire poll -- along with the full season preview.
Also check The Baltimore Sun and baltimoresun.com on Thursday for previews of the local boys soccer, volleyball, cross country and field hockey seasons.
2. Calvert Hall
Coach: Donald Davis.
Last season: 11-1, No. 1. Postseason: N/A, MIAA A Conference regular-season champion.
Outlook: The Cardinals came from behind to beat Gilman, 26-21, in midseason, and that game decided the A Conference title a year ago. This fall, the Cardinals have some holes to fill, but that shouldn't keep them from making a run at another title after winning their conference championship since back in the MSA in 1982.
Graduation claimed 26 players including All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year lineman Dan Yarborough and All-Metro offensive lineman Ben Curtis. Still the Cardinals return a pretty good group, including All-Metro quarterback Thomas Stuart as well as wide receiver Trevor Wiliams, running back Brandon Neverdon, cornerback Da'Quan Davis, linebacker C.J. Williams and defensive lineman Emmanuel Holder.
The Cardinals are strong at the skill positions, particularly on the offensive side, but Davis said they will have to carve out their own identity and not rely on what worked last year. With a largely new cast, they will have to figure out what works for them.
Conferences don't get much tougher than the A Conference. With five of the six local A Conference teams in the Top 15 and Georgetown Prep also a contender, the Cardinals face battle to repeat as champions -- something only Gilman and Loyola in the last 14 years.
Photo above of Da'Quan Davis returning an interception by The Baltimore Sun's Jed Kirschbaum.
