Archbishop Spalding Unveils Challenging 2026 Football Schedule, Cavaliers Set for Another National Test
SEVERN, Md. — Archbishop Spalding has released its 2026 football schedule, and the Cavaliers once again will face one of the toughest slates in Maryland high school football. With several nationally recognized opponents, long-standing MIAA rivalries, and marquee showcase games, Spalding will have little room for error as it looks to contend for another championship.
While the Cavaliers’ roster has not yet been finalized, the schedule alone highlights the expectations surrounding one of the state’s premier football programs. Week after week, Archbishop Spalding will face programs known for producing Division I talent and competing for championships.
Season Opens Against National Power
The Cavaliers begin the regular season on Friday, Aug. 28, with a road matchup against DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville. DeMatha has long been regarded as one of the nation’s elite football programs, making it an early measuring stick for both teams.
Opening on the road against a perennial powerhouse immediately sets the tone for Spalding’s season.
Cav Classic Headlines Early Home Schedule
Spalding returns home on Sept. 5 for the annual Cav Classic, welcoming St. John’s College High School. The event has become one of the premier showcases for high school football in the Mid-Atlantic and consistently draws college recruiters from across the country.
One week later, on Sept. 11, the Cavaliers travel to Our Lady of Good Counsel in another high-profile nonconference showdown.
The nonconference schedule concludes on Sept. 19 with a trip to Mount Saint Joseph High School, another respected Maryland football power.
MIAA Play Begins
Once league play begins, there will be no easy weeks.
Spalding opens conference action at home against Gilman School on Sept. 25 before hosting Concordia Prep on Oct. 2.
The Cavaliers then welcome McDonogh School on Oct. 9, one of the annual rivalry games that often has major MIAA championship implications.
Following a bye week, Spalding travels to face Calvert Hall College High School on Oct. 23 before making another road trip to St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis on Oct. 30.
The regular season concludes at home on Nov. 6 against Loyola Blakefield, a matchup that has frequently carried postseason significance.
2026 Archbishop Spalding Football Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 28 | at DeMatha Catholic | Hyattsville |
| Sept. 5 | vs. St. John’s College (Cav Classic) | Home |
| Sept. 11 | at Our Lady of Good Counsel | Olney |
| Sept. 19 | at Mount Saint Joseph | Baltimore |
| Sept. 25 | vs. Gilman School | Home |
| Oct. 2 | vs. Concordia Prep | Home |
| Oct. 9 | vs. McDonogh School | Home |
| Oct. 23 | at Calvert Hall | Towson |
| Oct. 30 | at St. Mary’s | Annapolis |
| Nov. 6 | vs. Loyola Blakefield | Home |
MSB Analysis
Archbishop Spalding has not taken the easy route.
The Cavaliers will play multiple teams that are expected to compete for state, conference, and even national recognition before the calendar reaches October. The early stretch against DeMatha, St. John’s, Good Counsel, and Mount Saint Joseph could prove to be one of the most demanding opening months for any Maryland high school program.
Once MIAA A Conference play begins, the schedule only becomes more difficult. Annual clashes with Gilman, McDonogh, Calvert Hall, and Loyola Blakefield consistently rank among the biggest games in Maryland high school football.
Although the roster is still taking shape, one thing is already clear: Archbishop Spalding will once again have plenty of opportunities to prove it belongs among the region’s elite programs.
For Maryland football fans, nearly every week on the Cavaliers’ 2026 schedule features a game worth watching.
