BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums MID-ATLANTIC LACROSSE MARYLAND FORUM Boys 2026 Grads - Mid Atlantic Region

Look at this summers records against comparable competition for the 2026 teams. Or the last few years for that matter. Not even Close.
Many of the BLC 2026 Players will be heading to Bullis, Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga, Landon, St. Johns, St Albans, etc. If that makes a difference to you.
Does NL play in NAL or NLF tournaments against the best teams in the country? No.
Has NL played in HoCo Elite every year since second Grade? No.
NL is a fine program run by great people but it does it CONSISTENTLY produce top level High School and College Players? No.
Look at both programs holistically. NL vs BLC/DC Express.
Look at how many High level D1 recruits on DCE 2021. Top team in the Country. 19 out of 23 Players off to play in D1 or High level D3.
Watch for how many there will be on DCE 2022. Top 3 team in the Country.

There is no comparison. The two best programs right now top to bottom in the DC area are Madlax and BLC/DC Express.

For you, Next Level Dad, to say these programs at 2026 or beyond are similar, is not based on facts.

I hope the HoCo committee is on this forum so they can hear the VLC Dad speak the NL praises and make sure they move NL up to elite instead of them. Genius!

Sorry, I meant VLC Dad.

Lol, I think VLC is the only team playing NL this wknd (they play PA RR A team, PA RR B team, VLC and Falcons 26...whoever they are) who played BLC earlier. No Elite teams at Blue Hen but VLC, NL and PA RR should all be very evenly matched B level teams.

👆👆👆👆👆 🎯🎯

Wow, BLC folks sound awfully sensitive.

It’s recruiting/tryout season. Time for facts and not opinions.

I think NL would beat BLC.

And clearly they feel they need to recruit.

All teams recruit.

Same team that beat True by a goal??? Stop!

For what its worth, our California team played all 3 of BLC, VLC and NL. This 2026 only. Based only on our games against those opponents (and not looking at other results from other tournaments), it certainly appeared that BLC and VLC were both on a higher level than NL. Maybe NL did not have all their kids or had an off day, but it did seem that NL would really struggle to compete with either VLC or BLC. I have no dog in the hunt and have no knowledge of the politics of MD club lacrosse....just an outsiders opinion.

NL does have a solid squad with a bunch of good players so not saying anything negative about that team or program. Certainly a worthy opponent.

Who is headed to Hawks tryouts to scout and report back? You know you’re out there!

Thanks True goalie dad

NL lost to PA RR again today. I'm biased, but I stick with you can't be elite in MD if you continually lose to PA teams.

VLC vs NL tomorrow.

Just heard that True National got pummeled in Colorado today by Tommy Knockers. The True disaster continues in 2020. First they pull True Annapolis out of a local tournament and replace them by sending in the Premiere Illinois team only to see them get thumped. Now they pull from all their teams to form their National All Star team only to score 1 goal vs TK. What attracts kids to this organization I don’t get. Seems to be a lot of marketing and sizzle but less then strong results.

They should #trainmore

Marketing? The only marketing I have ever seen/read about True is on here. So no wonder they have issues.

True is awful and a total money grab....

Sure sounds like the True/Bay Raiders merger is off to a strong start! 🤣

NL lost to VLC, VLC lost to PA RR Elite

True seems to be struggling everywhere outside of their core illinois market. I dont think any of their regional teams can point to much success. And not sure their national team has done much? True Illinois Black seems to have a pretty good squad.

Having said that, Tommyknockers are legit and could be a top 5-ish team in 2026

True Atlantic National Teams are very solid but I agree the local teams really do struggle.

So who is fielding 2026 teams this coming season? All this talk of everyone leaving and headed wherever, are there clubs who can’t field teams any longer in the AAA or elite? Did 91 stay in tact? Looney’s?

I guess Looneys is now Forest Hill rec south. Good luck.

Hawks continue to add players....

NL lost to both VLC and PA RR. VLC did lose to PA RR today, but they beat them yesterday so a weekend spilt for those two.

Did the Hawks add in any specific positions? I kind of assumed watching them at Exposure that they were all set. Their FOFO, goalies, poles and attack looked stacked.

VLC wasn't supposed to play PA RR again. Schedule got changed late for a rematch, otherwise would've been a 4-0 weekend for VLC..

Focus on your sons development; he’s needs your undivided attention since his PT was minimal this year.

Okay, seven 2026 teams are left from spring 2019 Elite - Hawks, Looneys, 91, BLC, Madlax, FCA, and Crabs. Four more think they belong in the discussion - VLC, NextLevel, AYLC, and True.

Anybody care to rank these eleven teams, and to suggest any other teams I have forgotten?

Hawks - keep adding talent and no on is close
Madlax - needs to be more consistent
Looney’s - added talent; great goalie
Crabs - yep you heard it hear first. 2025s make them better
FCA - great defense but worst offense at 2026
BLC - elite by name only
VLC - just bette then the other 3.

Hawks
Madlax
BLC
91
FCA
Crabs
VLC
Next lever
Looney
AYLC
TRUE

This is a complete waste of time as these teams are all in the middle of tryouts and there are major changes happening.

Best time to revisit is later this fall after HoCo and tournaments.

"waste of time" - compared to what other discussions on this board that are a productive use of time?

Question - Crabs were weak last summer, and I did not see them play this summer - can somebody save me the time of scrolling through tourney app and tell me who have they beaten lately?

Ranking these teams is a joke.
No one is MD has beaten Hawks in 2 years. This summer several teams dropped out of tournaments or asked to go to a B bracket so they didnt have to play Hawks. Your club owners and coaches should give you money back for ducking

What teams actually had tryouts? Crabs, FCA and Hawks? FCA was much improved; did they add anything after tryouts? Definitely need help on the offensive side of the ball??

Obviously someone who didn’t watch any lacrosse at the 2026 level this summer. Lol