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3A Region Predictions

3A West Region I

Jamie’s Winner: Oakdale Bears

Cole’s Winner: Linganore Lancers

Jamie's Write-Up: A big shakeup in the 3A West I, as Manchester Valley and South Hagerstown both depart and Frederick moves in. This is historically a very talented region and I see multiple schools with high chances of making deep runs throughout the playoffs. Linganore and Oakdale are at the forefront, as Oakdale took the region a year ago and look to repeat in 2026. A revamped Linganore squad, with Westminster right on their heels should make this region highly competitive. Oakdale, in my opinion, takes the slight advantage in overall talent and balance on both sides of the ball, so I’ll roll with Oakdale repeating in 2026.

Cole's Write-Up: Linganore is quickly emerging as one of the most improved teams in the state entering 2026, and the dynamic offensive trio of Chase Perry, Jaidon Maxwell, and Jackson Wineke has already sparked plenty of excitement in early looks. In a region stacked with talent, pitching depth will be the deciding factor. If the staff can stay consistent and keep free passes to a minimum, Linganore has all the makings of a dangerous dark horse capable of making a deep postseason run.

3A West Region II

Jamie’s Winner: Damascus Swarmin' Hornets

Cole’s Winner: Magruder Colonels

Jamie's Write-Up: Region II jumps from five teams to six, as Northwood slides into the 3A West II. Another region that historically is very competitive, look for no change in 2026, as Thomas Johnson, Damascus, and Magruder headline at the top. TJ departs big names from a year ago, therefore, I see Damascus and Magruder locking horns in the region final. Magruder took the region title a year ago, however, I see a hungry Damascus squad taking the region this spring and leading the way on the offensive side.

Cole's Write-Up: Despite not being the favorite entering last season, Magruder broke through and earned a return trip to the state tournament. This roster is built on balance, with strength on both sides of the ball, and their pitching depth — especially a deep group of left-handed arms — gives them the ability to present different looks and keep opponents off balance. Damascus should once again be a contender, but if Magruder’s offense performs the way it has in previous years, they have a strong chance to make another postseason run.

3A North Region I

Jamie’s Winner: Towson Generals

Cole’s Winner: Aberdeen Eagles

Jamie's Write-Up: A revamped 3A North I region sees powerhouse Dulaney, Catonsville, Franklin and Lansdowne depart, as Patapsco, Aberdeen, and Edgewood slide in. Dulaney has been the team to beat in this region in past years, and a new look this spring throughout this region is refreshing. A perennial powerhouse in Towson and “new face” Aberdeen look to be the two teams to beat, and we look for an exciting region final to take place here in 2026. I’m going to stick with a young Towson to come out of this region, as the pitching talent at the top of the rotation should push them through.

Cole's Write-Up: Aberdeen endured an up-and-down 2025 campaign, never quite finding its rhythm before a run-rule loss in the region semifinals. This season brings a fresh start as the Eagles move from Region II into North Region I. With Dulaney out of the picture and Towson fielding a younger squad, the door is open for new contenders to emerge in 2026. Battle-tested from competing in the UCBAC, Aberdeen has the experience to take advantage of the opportunity and make a strong statement this spring.

3A North Region II

Jamie’s Winner: Centennial Eagles

Cole’s Winner: Marriotts Ridge Mustangs

Jamie’s Write-Up: A completely new look in the 3A North Region II this spring sees a 50/50 split of Baltimore County and Howard County schools. No lack of talent in this region, as Marriotts Ridge and Centennial should be the two to headline this region and we see a highly exciting matchup on the horizon in this region final. MR is one of the top offensive powerhouses in the state, and Centennial contains some of the more intriguing pitching depth, so look for a battle of strengths to match up here in the region final. I’ll roll with the pitching to get it done. 

Cole’s Write-Up: This region features teams with contrasting strengths and weaknesses, setting up an intriguing race. Centennial brings one of the deepest pitching staffs around, while Marriotts Ridge counters with one of the most explosive offenses in the state — making their matchup a must-watch in Howard County this spring. I usually lean toward the team with stronger arms, but this time I’m siding with the high-powered lineup. If Marriotts Ridge continues to produce at a double-digit clip, their pitching staff will only need to hold opponents in check for them to make a serious push forward.

3A South Region I

Jamie’s Winner: Sherwood Warriors

Cole’s Winner: Sherwood Warriors

Write-Up: Another revamped region sees perennial powerhouse Sherwood enter the 3A South I, as storied programs in Atholton and reservoir join them. We see this being a three-team race at the top, as Sherwood is, once again the team to beat with a young and hungry Atholton team right on their heels. Reservoir lost a ton from their 4A state semi-finalist team a year ago, however, look for the Gators to stay competitive throughout this region as well. Too much talent and experience from this Sherwood team, so we’ll roll with the Warriors to make it out of this region pretty handedly.  

3A South Region II

Jamie’s Winner: Chopticon Braves

Cole’s Winner: Chopticon Braves

Write-Up: Another new look region in 2026 sees the St. Charles, Chopticon, Oxon Hill, and Great Mills slide over from the 3A East Region II, with Largo and Potomac joining them. St. Charles and Chopticon should make for a highly entertaining region final here, as Chopticon has the more well-rounded roster and St. Charles possesses one of the top arms in the state. Depending on how the pitching lines up, you could see a low scoring affair, however, the more balanced team in Chopticon is who we’re sticking with to get out of this region.

3A East Region I

Jamie’s Winner: Chesapeake-AA Cougars

Cole’s Winner: Chesapeake-AA Cougars

Write-Up: Two Anne-Arundel county teams in Chesapeake and Northeast slide into this region alongside four Baltimore City schools in Baltimore City College, Baltimore Polytech, Digital Harbor, and Patterson. The past has seen the two juggernauts go toe-to-toe numerous times in Chesapeake and Northeast, and we see no difference in this region in 2026. Chesapeake has the arms and Northeast returns a plethora of impact bats, and we see this being the region final once again, as was true last year in the 3A South I. We’re going to stick with the abundance of arms to carry Chesapeake through this region and defend their region title from a year ago.

3A East Region II

Jamie’s Winner: Northern-Cal Patriots

Cole’s Winner: Stephen Decatur Seahawks

Jamie’s Write-Up: This region has the makings of potentially being the most competitive across 3A. Arundel, Northern, and Stephen Decatur are all storied programs in their respective conferences, and look for no difference in 2026. Decatur may enter as the favorite, however, a young and highly talented Northern squad is looking to turn some heads this spring. I’m going to pick the “upset” here, as I see Northern picking up steam midway through the spring and continuing to roll to a region title. 

Cole's Write-Up: Stephen Decatur enters as the clear favorite to come out of the region, and with Severna Park moving up to Class 4A, the Seahawks are once again in a strong position. That said, the path won’t be easy. Arundel emerged as the Cinderella story in 2025, rising from the lowest seed to capture the region title, while Northern is expected to be among the top teams in the SMAC and a serious contender here. Still, I’ll lean toward the proven experience of Decatur. One matchup to circle this spring: Northern vs. Decatur on March 28th, which could serve as an early preview of the region championship.

3A State Title Game Prediction

Jamie: Sherwood vs Oakdale

Cole: Chesapeake-AA vs Sherwood

3A State Title Winner Prediction

Jamie: Sherwood Warriors

Cole: Chesapeake-AA Cougars