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In recent years, St. John’s has asserted itself as the team to beat in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and perhaps all of the D.C. area.

The Cadets went a combined 34-3 across the past two seasons, which both culminated in conference titles. This spring, they return seven seniors, including four Division I commits.

The Cadets were not tested much over those two seasons, but that gap for local control may shrink in 2024. Paul VI and Gonzaga, the last two WCAC runner-ups, return deep groups of veterans and are poised to spoil the Cadets’ three-peat bid. Both teams bring back 16 seniors apiece. Gonzaga’s group features eight Division I signees.

In the Interstate Athletic Conference, No. 2 Georgetown Prep went undefeated in conference play in 2023 and captured its second championship in the past three seasons. Bullis, which won the league in 2022, is just behind and has posted two impressive victories in the season’s opening weeks.

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Elsewhere in the top 10, St. Mary’s (Annapolis) and Severn School look to break through in the loaded Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association, a first-year coach hopes to restore his program to dominance and a Maryland public school aims to capitalize on its record-setting 2023 campaign.

(Records from last season)

1

St. John’s (15-3)

The two-time reigning WCAC champions return a talented senior class headlined by Virginia commit Ryan Duenkel, the lone junior on last season’s All-Met first team.

3

Gonzaga (13-8)

Anchored by cousins and Maryland signees John and James Gardiner, the Eagles hope to threaten top-ranked St. John’s in the WCAC.

4

Bullis (15-8)

After winning the IAC championship in 2022, Bullis fell to Georgetown Prep in last year’s league semifinal. The Bulldogs have already collected two dominant wins this season, including a 13-6 victory over DeMatha.

5

St. Mary’s (Annapolis) (14-5)

The Saints look to capture their first MIAA title since 2015 after losing in last year’s semifinal to perennial Baltimore power Boys’ Latin. They’re 1-1 on the young season, with an overtime loss to Georgetown Prep.

6

Paul VI (18-5)

Last season’s WCAC runner-up will look to avenge its title game loss to top-ranked St. John’s and break through in a difficult conference.

7

Severn School (13-6)

Already 3-0, Severn School will be tested early with a daunting nonconference slate that includes local challengers and a trip to Texas in late March.

8

Landon (12-7)

After falling to Georgetown Prep in the IAC championship game last season, the program’s hunt for its first league title since 2018 continues.

10

DeMatha (10-9)

The Stags enter 2024 with a new coach. Matt Miller, a goalie on three WCAC championship-winning squads in the 2000s, hopes to restore his alma mater to the prominence he experienced as a player.

On the bubble: St. Stephens/St. Agnes, Episcopal, Churchill, St. Albans, Sherwood, Madison

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