Anonymous
12/04/2025 09:39
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Gonzaga's program needs a change at the top.
Bullis will remain competitive this spring but will drop big time after this year.
PVI should be better this Spring and I suspect they will remain competitive in the years ahead. They are the only private school in town out in Loudoun county that fields a strong lacrosse team. Traffic is only getting worst in the DC area, I don't see many families living in Leesburg or Ashburn sending their kids to schools in the beltway anymore - its too much of a mental toll.
Bullis will remain competitive this spring but will drop big time after this year.
PVI should be better this Spring and I suspect they will remain competitive in the years ahead. They are the only private school in town out in Loudoun county that fields a strong lacrosse team. Traffic is only getting worst in the DC area, I don't see many families living in Leesburg or Ashburn sending their kids to schools in the beltway anymore - its too much of a mental toll.
Anonymous
12/04/2025 09:29
Subject: Re:BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Neutral Observer here:
When you look at the timing of when SJC ran the show in the DMV (2020 season- only 3 weeks of the season played, 2021, 2022) it kinda makes sense. Look around at other programs, and their coaching situations were in flux. There is no doubt, Speaks was also able to assemble some top-notch talent (primarily via a pipeline of players from the Annapolis region) during his early years.
1. After an incredible 15+ year run at Gonzaga, O'Neill was mentally checked out and stepped down after the 2021 season when the Eagles were horrendous that year. Jeff King was promoted to HC and had to assemble a new staff, all though he kept most coaches from the O'Neill era.
2. Good Counsel brought in Dane Smith in the summer of 2021. While the Falcons haven't been to the ship yet, the Falcons have slowly but surely been building a very strong program in Olney.
3. Landon was also a mess during covid. Healy (who had replaced HOF Coach Bordley) suddenly stepped down during the 2021 season. Current Head Coach McGettigan took the reigns in 2022 and assembled a new staff (added Kubick from G Prep, which was a tremendous hire and added a new defensive coordinator). Landon struggled in McGettigan's first two years (2022 and 2023) but has since dominated the DC area the past 2 seasons.
Fast forward to today, Prep has made an elite hire with Hilgartner, and he will slowly lure some players who might have ended up at St. Johns. Landon certainly has reloaded and stabilized since the coaching turmoil during the covid years. DeMatha hired a coach with heavy Annapolis ties and appears to be on the upswing. I don't see any reason why Good Counsel's program would lose any steam as long as Dane remains.
I do believe St Johns will remain a very good program, but I don't expect them to ever get back to the success they had in 2021 and 2022 years.
Tend to agree with most except DeMatha - losing a lot of seniors and the future isn't clear.
It's interesting how the observer just ignored Bullis, which is on its way down.
Yeah this is a good analysis, but it does seem that we are trending toward a world in which SJC, Landon, and Prep are forming a top tier for the area. Then Gonzaga and GC are the next rung down. I actually think Bullis will be decent next year and PVI will be a tough out for anyone, but after the 2026 class both of those teams look very thin.
The current high school classes (particularly 27 and 28) are just way thinner in terms in the number of competent varsity players because club has narrowed the talent pool and squeezed out kids that aren’t good enough to make the top few club teams, but could be contributors at schools like SSSAS, Potomac, St. Albans, Ireton, or even PVI (after the large number of good players in the 26 class leave) or DeMatha (outside the 25 class).
Anonymous
12/04/2025 08:46
Subject: Re:BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Neutral Observer here:
When you look at the timing of when SJC ran the show in the DMV (2020 season- only 3 weeks of the season played, 2021, 2022) it kinda makes sense. Look around at other programs, and their coaching situations were in flux. There is no doubt, Speaks was also able to assemble some top-notch talent (primarily via a pipeline of players from the Annapolis region) during his early years.
1. After an incredible 15+ year run at Gonzaga, O'Neill was mentally checked out and stepped down after the 2021 season when the Eagles were horrendous that year. Jeff King was promoted to HC and had to assemble a new staff, all though he kept most coaches from the O'Neill era.
2. Good Counsel brought in Dane Smith in the summer of 2021. While the Falcons haven't been to the ship yet, the Falcons have slowly but surely been building a very strong program in Olney.
3. Landon was also a mess during covid. Healy (who had replaced HOF Coach Bordley) suddenly stepped down during the 2021 season. Current Head Coach McGettigan took the reigns in 2022 and assembled a new staff (added Kubick from G Prep, which was a tremendous hire and added a new defensive coordinator). Landon struggled in McGettigan's first two years (2022 and 2023) but has since dominated the DC area the past 2 seasons.
Fast forward to today, Prep has made an elite hire with Hilgartner, and he will slowly lure some players who might have ended up at St. Johns. Landon certainly has reloaded and stabilized since the coaching turmoil during the covid years. DeMatha hired a coach with heavy Annapolis ties and appears to be on the upswing. I don't see any reason why Good Counsel's program would lose any steam as long as Dane remains.
I do believe St Johns will remain a very good program, but I don't expect them to ever get back to the success they had in 2021 and 2022 years.
Tend to agree with most except DeMatha - losing a lot of seniors and the future isn't clear.
It's interesting how the observer just ignored Bullis, which is on its way down.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 22:48
Subject: Re:BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Neutral Observer here:
When you look at the timing of when SJC ran the show in the DMV (2020 season- only 3 weeks of the season played, 2021, 2022) it kinda makes sense. Look around at other programs, and their coaching situations were in flux. There is no doubt, Speaks was also able to assemble some top-notch talent (primarily via a pipeline of players from the Annapolis region) during his early years.
1. After an incredible 15+ year run at Gonzaga, O'Neill was mentally checked out and stepped down after the 2021 season when the Eagles were horrendous that year. Jeff King was promoted to HC and had to assemble a new staff, all though he kept most coaches from the O'Neill era.
2. Good Counsel brought in Dane Smith in the summer of 2021. While the Falcons haven't been to the ship yet, the Falcons have slowly but surely been building a very strong program in Olney.
3. Landon was also a mess during covid. Healy (who had replaced HOF Coach Bordley) suddenly stepped down during the 2021 season. Current Head Coach McGettigan took the reigns in 2022 and assembled a new staff (added Kubick from G Prep, which was a tremendous hire and added a new defensive coordinator). Landon struggled in McGettigan's first two years (2022 and 2023) but has since dominated the DC area the past 2 seasons.
Fast forward to today, Prep has made an elite hire with Hilgartner, and he will slowly lure some players who might have ended up at St. Johns. Landon certainly has reloaded and stabilized since the coaching turmoil during the covid years. DeMatha hired a coach with heavy Annapolis ties and appears to be on the upswing. I don't see any reason why Good Counsel's program would lose any steam as long as Dane remains.
I do believe St Johns will remain a very good program, but I don't expect them to ever get back to the success they had in 2021 and 2022 years.
Good summary as always
SJC needs a hire to replace Ince. He and Speaks seem to have been a dynamic duo, both not looking quite the same absent the other.
Does SJC have an OC right now?
Anonymous
12/03/2025 17:40
Subject: Re:BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Neutral Observer here:
When you look at the timing of when SJC ran the show in the DMV (2020 season- only 3 weeks of the season played, 2021, 2022) it kinda makes sense. Look around at other programs, and their coaching situations were in flux. There is no doubt, Speaks was also able to assemble some top-notch talent (primarily via a pipeline of players from the Annapolis region) during his early years.
1. After an incredible 15+ year run at Gonzaga, O'Neill was mentally checked out and stepped down after the 2021 season when the Eagles were horrendous that year. Jeff King was promoted to HC and had to assemble a new staff, all though he kept most coaches from the O'Neill era.
2. Good Counsel brought in Dane Smith in the summer of 2021. While the Falcons haven't been to the ship yet, the Falcons have slowly but surely been building a very strong program in Olney.
3. Landon was also a mess during covid. Healy (who had replaced HOF Coach Bordley) suddenly stepped down during the 2021 season. Current Head Coach McGettigan took the reigns in 2022 and assembled a new staff (added Kubick from G Prep, which was a tremendous hire and added a new defensive coordinator). Landon struggled in McGettigan's first two years (2022 and 2023) but has since dominated the DC area the past 2 seasons.
Fast forward to today, Prep has made an elite hire with Hilgartner, and he will slowly lure some players who might have ended up at St. Johns. Landon certainly has reloaded and stabilized since the coaching turmoil during the covid years. DeMatha hired a coach with heavy Annapolis ties and appears to be on the upswing. I don't see any reason why Good Counsel's program would lose any steam as long as Dane remains.
I do believe St Johns will remain a very good program, but I don't expect them to ever get back to the success they had in 2021 and 2022 years.
Good summary as always
Anonymous
12/03/2025 15:03
Subject: Re:BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Neutral Observer here:
When you look at the timing of when SJC ran the show in the DMV (2020 season- only 3 weeks of the season played, 2021, 2022) it kinda makes sense. Look around at other programs, and their coaching situations were in flux. There is no doubt, Speaks was also able to assemble some top-notch talent (primarily via a pipeline of players from the Annapolis region) during his early years.
1. After an incredible 15+ year run at Gonzaga, O'Neill was mentally checked out and stepped down after the 2021 season when the Eagles were horrendous that year. Jeff King was promoted to HC and had to assemble a new staff, all though he kept most coaches from the O'Neill era.
2. Good Counsel brought in Dane Smith in the summer of 2021. While the Falcons haven't been to the ship yet, the Falcons have slowly but surely been building a very strong program in Olney.
3. Landon was also a mess during covid. Healy (who had replaced HOF Coach Bordley) suddenly stepped down during the 2021 season. Current Head Coach McGettigan took the reigns in 2022 and assembled a new staff (added Kubick from G Prep, which was a tremendous hire and added a new defensive coordinator). Landon struggled in McGettigan's first two years (2022 and 2023) but has since dominated the DC area the past 2 seasons.
Fast forward to today, Prep has made an elite hire with Hilgartner, and he will slowly lure some players who might have ended up at St. Johns. Landon certainly has reloaded and stabilized since the coaching turmoil during the covid years. DeMatha hired a coach with heavy Annapolis ties and appears to be on the upswing. I don't see any reason why Good Counsel's program would lose any steam as long as Dane remains.
I do believe St Johns will remain a very good program, but I don't expect them to ever get back to the success they had in 2021 and 2022 years.
When you look at the timing of when SJC ran the show in the DMV (2020 season- only 3 weeks of the season played, 2021, 2022) it kinda makes sense. Look around at other programs, and their coaching situations were in flux. There is no doubt, Speaks was also able to assemble some top-notch talent (primarily via a pipeline of players from the Annapolis region) during his early years.
1. After an incredible 15+ year run at Gonzaga, O'Neill was mentally checked out and stepped down after the 2021 season when the Eagles were horrendous that year. Jeff King was promoted to HC and had to assemble a new staff, all though he kept most coaches from the O'Neill era.
2. Good Counsel brought in Dane Smith in the summer of 2021. While the Falcons haven't been to the ship yet, the Falcons have slowly but surely been building a very strong program in Olney.
3. Landon was also a mess during covid. Healy (who had replaced HOF Coach Bordley) suddenly stepped down during the 2021 season. Current Head Coach McGettigan took the reigns in 2022 and assembled a new staff (added Kubick from G Prep, which was a tremendous hire and added a new defensive coordinator). Landon struggled in McGettigan's first two years (2022 and 2023) but has since dominated the DC area the past 2 seasons.
Fast forward to today, Prep has made an elite hire with Hilgartner, and he will slowly lure some players who might have ended up at St. Johns. Landon certainly has reloaded and stabilized since the coaching turmoil during the covid years. DeMatha hired a coach with heavy Annapolis ties and appears to be on the upswing. I don't see any reason why Good Counsel's program would lose any steam as long as Dane remains.
I do believe St Johns will remain a very good program, but I don't expect them to ever get back to the success they had in 2021 and 2022 years.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 09:39
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
post and make a new thread and a new topic because you’re way off topic constantly on this thread!
Anonymous
12/03/2025 09:32
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Can we let the 2026 commits thread die already. Anyone of any significance was done with this over a year ago.
We are now in the era of 2027 DIII kids and top programs are starting to look toward 2028s.
We are now in the era of 2027 DIII kids and top programs are starting to look toward 2028s.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 07:47
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Curious are any IAC teams playing the cadets this spring or are they still scared?
The Cadets weren't a top 4 team in the DC area in 2024, and certainly weren't a top 6 team in the area last spring.
The program has been on a slight decline, perhaps this spring, the Cadets will have a big bounce back year.
Anonymous
12/02/2025 14:08
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Curious are any IAC teams playing the cadets this spring or are they still scared?
Why play a 5th place team?
They won’t be a 5th place team this spring… try top 2
Anonymous
12/02/2025 12:02
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Curious are any IAC teams playing the cadets this spring or are they still scared?
Why play a 5th place team?
Anonymous
12/02/2025 11:27
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Curious are any IAC teams playing the cadets this spring or are they still scared?
Anonymous
12/02/2025 07:39
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
SJC class of 2026 is all hype from the club ball circuit. The Cadets aren't the same program since Ince left - it's a fact. If Speaks wants to get back to being a top 25 program, he might want to try and lure him back from St Stephens
WCAC is wide open this Spring.
WCAC is wide open this Spring.
Anonymous
12/01/2025 20:43
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Let's be honest, the only thing any players on the current SJC roster have proven is that they lose every big game they have ever played for the school.
is there a team in the conference that has track record of consistently winning the big games? based on the past 2-3 years, I would say no.
Remember the 2022 team.
Anonymous
12/01/2025 20:23
Subject: BOYS 2026 DMV Commitments BOYS
Anonymous wrote:Let's be honest, the only thing any players on the current SJC roster have proven is that they lose every big game they have ever played for the school.
is there a team in the conference that has track record of consistently winning the big games? based on the past 2-3 years, I would say no.