Stars will shine: 5 players that could swing the MIAA A Chip game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meet 5 key players who could decide the MIAA A Chip game—get to know their impact and see who will shine on championship day! The game is scheduled for this Saturday at Archbishop Spalding High School. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611529' first='Antonio' last='Ledbetter'] – Running Back - Archbishop Spalding - 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2043099,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/IMG_0163-crop-4800x3152-1762703680.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2043099" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why he's key: He's not the biggest nor the fastest, but he's among the most productive and consistent running backs over the past two seasons in Maryland. Ledbetter can break off those 25-plus-yard runs consistently. In his last game, he had three running scores of at least 45-plus yards and out. Ledbetter should have everyone's respect as one of the top backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607598' first='Joey' last='Scheffers'] - Linebacker - Archbishop Spalding - 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why he's key: There are a lot of talented defenders on Archbishop Spalding's defense, but I'll go with Scheffers based on what I saw from him against Mount St. Joseph. He must be accounted for in the blocking scheme or he's going to make life hard for the offense. Scheffer is a disruptor, and I expect to see him flying around on defense and spearheading the effort to stop McDonogh's run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1879547' first='Brian' last='Snowden'] Jr. - Quarterback - Archbishop Spalding - 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snowden has done an excellent job of taking over for Malik Washington Jr. (now the starting quarterback at Maryland) this season. I had an opportunity to watch him in a dominant win against Mount St. Joseph, and I forgot that he is just a freshman. I expect him to play with the same poise and intelligent decision-making he's shown throughout this season. The Cavaliers have hit the quarterback lottery once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401992' first='Braeden' last='Palazzo'] - Quarterback - McDonogh - 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2043103,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/IMG_0725_3214d4-crop-2381x1564-1762704158.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2043103" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why he's key: McDonogh is going to need to make some plays in the passing game, and that task will fall on Palazzo's shoulders. The last few matchups have gotten out of hand early, and McDonogh will look to change that trend on Saturday. Last time out, Palazzo completed 19-of-33 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 35-13 loss to Archbishop Spalding back on September 12th. If I were a betting man, I'd expect Palazzo to throw the ball at least 25 times this Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='945237' first='Carlos' last='Ferguson'] - Wide Receiver - McDonogh - 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2043105,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/carlos-ferguson-website-crop-1691x1110-1761254230-crop-640x420-1762704324.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-2043105" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why he's key: The man they call “Smooth” is McDonogh's most explosive weapon on offense. The key will be getting Ferguson early targets in the game and seeing if big plays can result. He's caught 15 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns in the past two weeks. Archbishop Spalding's defense is tough against the run and pass. McDonogh is going to need some explosive plays, and Ferguson will be in the mix for those opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONORABLE MENTIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes. I cheated. I know I said five. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Archbishop Spalding: Offensive Line</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Armed with one of the top offensive lines in the state, Archbishop Spalding will look to impose its will against McDonogh with the run game. They've breezed through league play and will look to finish the job this Saturday with another MIAA A Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McDonogh's Front Seven</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why they're key: With all due respect to Archbishop Spalding's passing game, it's the run game and McDonogh's ability to limit the damage it does that will tell the story. [player_tooltip player_id='711670' first='Nick' last='Abrams'], [player_tooltip player_id='945254' first='Caden' last='Cashman'], and Joe Buchannan III and their teammates will have to play their best game of the year to pull off what would be an upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/in-season-look-at-the-miaa-2027s-part-1/">SCOUTING THE MIAA 2027'S - PART 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/scouting-the-miaa-2027s-part-2/">SCOUTING THE MIAA 2027'S - PART 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/scouting-the-wcac-2027s-part-1/">SCOUTING THE WCAC 2027'S PART 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/top-5-offensive-performers-from-the-archbishop-spalding-vs-msj/">Top 5 performers on offense: Archbishop Spalding vs. Mount St. Joseph</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/top-5-defensive-performers-from-the-archbishop-spalding-vs-msj-2/">Top 5 perfumers on defense: Archbishop Spalding vs. Mount St. Joseph</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/concordia-prep-vs-calvert-hall-top-5-offensive-performers/">Concordia Prep vs. Calvert Hall: Top 5 offensive performers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/calvert-hall-vs-concordia-prep-top-5-defensive-performers/">Concordia Prep vs. Calvert Hall: Top 5 defensive performers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/stars-will-shine-5-players-that-could-swing-the-miaa-a-chip-game/">Stars will shine: 5 players that could swing the MIAA Chip Game</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/players-to-watch-in-the-mpssaa-playoffs-class-4a-quarterbacks/">Players to watch in the MPSSAA Playoffs: Class 4a Quarterbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/players-to-watch-in-the-mpssaa-playoffs-class-2a-quarterbacks/">Players to watch in the MPSSAA Playoffs: Class 2a Quarterbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/players-to-watch-in-the-mpssaa-playoffs-class-1a-quarterbacks/">Players to watch in the MPSSAA Playoffs: Class 1a Quarterbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->