Spalding football squad boasts 11 players headed to next level | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

High Schools all over the country battle with trying to find time to win their conferences and divisions as well as have their athletes perform at a high level in the classroom. Archbishop Spalding achieved that again this past school year with its third straight division title and a runner-up finish in the MIAA B Conference.

For Cavaliers coach Mike Whittles, the on-field success that included conference titles in 2005 and 2006, takes a back to seat to the academic achievements of a senior class that will feature 11 players heading to the college football ranks next season.

Whittles, who has been coaching at Spalding since 1999, is proud of his most accomplished class.

Jimmy Thomas, Adam James, Kevin Moran, Nick Shackleford, Ryan Clarke, Brandon Matter, Mike Brandenburg, Jim Lohr, Kellen Morris, Patrick Magnum and Joe Brennan all received scholarships.

Colleges they will play for next fall include Frostburg, SUNY Maritime, Wesley, Holy Cross, Albright, Ithaca and Salisbury.

"I am so proud of the effort these kids give us, they came to practice and worked hard and learned our system," Whittles said.

Most of the students are going on academic scholarships and will be playing football while carrying a heavy workload.

"Like I have said before if the coaches have done half the job preparing these players for college football as Archbishop Spalding has done preparing them for college academics then we did a great job," Whittles said.

Whittles said the departure of the 11 talented seniors will put his squad in a tough spot when preparations begin in August for the 2009 season, but he's certain is Cavaliers will be up to the challenge.