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1A Region Predictions

1A West Region I

Winner: Allegany Campers

Write-Up: Not much change in this region in 2026, as Hancock enters making it a six team region as opposed to five. The 2025 1A State champion, Allegany, has been the team to beat in this region for some time now, and we see no difference this spring. A roster that is full of top-end talent on both sides of the ball, look for the Campers to take the region once again in 2026.

1A West Region II

Jamie’s Winner: Smithsburg Leopards

Cole’s Winner: Clear Spring Blazers

Jamie's Write-Up: One small change in the 1A West Region II, as Francis Scott Key enters and Hancock departs. Smithsburg took the region by storm a year ago, consistently proving themselves as a top-tier competitor across the 1A ranks, eventually making it all the way to the 1A State Semifinals before a tough loss to eventual state champion, Allegany. 2026 sees this region as highly competitive, in my opinion, as I see four of the six teams with a very strong chance of taking the region. Brunswick is a battle-tested, well-coached program that returns plenty of talent, Boonsboro is a scrappy bunch with offensive firepower, Clear Spring is one of the more fundamentally sound programs in the state with a ton of offensive firepower, and Smithsburg returns basically their entire core that led them to a state semifinal appearance. I’m going to stick with the experience here and run with the Leopards, as I believe this is the year they have the roster to get over the hump and make a serious run at a state title.

Cole's Write-Up: This region always seems to produce state-champion level squads and this year is no different. Smithsburg, Clear Spring, and Brunswick are all in contention at the top, with an up-and-rising Boonsboro squad close behind. Smithsburg possesses more depth in most areas, but Clear Spring holds the prominent names in the region. I’d expect to see a rematch of last year’s region final, but I see Clear Spring searching for revenge behind their high-powered offense and their ability to have a ton of contributors on both sides of the ball. I believe Smithsburg has more room for potential error, but if Clear Spring plays their best baseball at the right moment, the Blazers are well-positioned for another state tournament appearance.

1A North Region I

Winner: Patterson Mill Huskies

Write-Up: Bo Manor and Perryville exit, as Carver A&T and Loch Raven enter the 1A North Region I. Patterson Mill won this region a year ago, and we believe nothing will change in 2026, as the Huskies return a plethora of impact bats from a year ago and should have no issue with putting up runs in a hurry. Plenty of UCBAC talent spread throughout this region could make for some highly competitive matchups, but look for the Huskies overall talent to put them over the top. 

1A North Region II

Winner: Liberty Lions

Write-Up: The two Carroll County teams are the lone programs to remain in this region, as four Baltimore City schools get added with Liberty and South Carroll. Liberty lost in the region final to a tough Pikesville team a year ago, and with Pikesville now in the 1A South, look for the Lions to roll through this region without much doubt. 

1A South Region I

Jamie’s Winner: Pikesville Panthers

Write-Up: An eight team region a year ago sees a complete revamp, as six teams now make up the region with powerhouse Pikesville being the headliner. Pikesville won the 1A North Region II in 2025, and look to repeat their success in the 1A South. Look for CMIT North or Frederick Douglass to compete for a shot at the championship game, however, we don’t see Pikesville having too much trouble getting out of this region. 

1A South Region II

Winner: Patuxent Panthers

Write-Up: Another revamped region sees Patuxent and Lackey slide down from the 2A and headline this 1A South Region II as the two main teams to beat. Lackey ran away with the 2A South Region I a year ago, and Patuxent has been a perennial powerhouse across the SMAC in years past. Look for this to be an exciting and competitive region final, and we’ll stick with the experience and battle-tested Patuxent Panthers to escape this region.

1A East Region I

Winner: St. Michaels Saints

Write-Up: Slight movement in this region, as Colonel Richardson, North Dorchester, Kent County, and St. Michaels all return, while South Dorchester departs and two Cecil County teams in Bo Manor and Perryville enter. St. Michaels should be the team to beat throughout this region, as the Saints return a plethora of depth on both sides of the ball with a slew of underclassmen hungry to make a name for themselves on the varsity level. The talent should be enough to push the Saints through, so we’ll stick to our guns and run with them. 

1A East Region II

Winner: Mardela Warriors

Write-Up: One one slight change in this region this year, as Cambridge South Dorchester adds their name to this Bayside region. A tough one run loss to Snow Hill in the region final a year ago, Mardela should be the headliner this spring throughout this region, as the Warriors return a bulk of their core that saw immense success last spring. 

1A State Title Game Prediction

Jamie: Allegany vs. Liberty

Cole: St. Michaels vs. Clear Spring

1A State Title Winner Prediction

Jamie: Allegany Campers

Cole: Clear Spring Blazers