Today, Archbishop Spalding?s football program carries itself like a champion after claiming its first Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B conference title last year over Boys? Latin.
The Cavaliers appear poised to go after a second straight crown. They are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the MIAA B South Division entering tonight?s non-division game against North Division leader Cardinal Gibbons (6-1, 2-0). Through six games, Spalding has outscored its opposition, 245-55, including a 48-6 drubbing of John Carroll last week.
The win over John Carroll provided a glimpse of the formula Spalding has used during coach Mike Whittles? tenure at the Anne Arundel County private school. The Cavaliers rushed for a school-record 452 yards while playing stifling defense. They have also shown the ability to beat quality teams in close games, knocking off Dunbar (D.C.), 47-40, in the second week of the season.
The biggest keys to Spalding?s success, Whittles said, is the combination of coaching stability and a positive mental attitude by his players.
Prior to Whittles? arrival in 1999, the Cavaliers went through seven coaches in 15 years. Their worst season came in 2000 when they went 0-9 and got shut out four times.
“Building a football program doesn?t happen overnight, and most of these kids had never played football before high school,” Whittles said. “It?s important for our kids to realize we hadn?t always been a winner. If I?m here 20 years, I?ll still remind our players about that 2000 team.”
Leading the way for Spalding this year is a trio of running backs who average more than 10 yards a carry.
Jake Trantin leads the group with 716 yards and eight touchdowns, followed by Brian Rutland (416 yards, 7 TDs) and Justin Mulinix (330 yards, 5 TDs).
Whittles said Spalding?s lack of success early in his tenure makes the program?s current prosperity that much more enjoyable.
“I appreciate the fact that we have won here in spite of all the naysayers,” Whittles said. “Many people said we could never win at Spalding. I?m just thankful that we came in here with a plan and the school gave us the time to put the program in place despite what outsiders said.”
