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Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association

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Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association
AbbreviationMPSSAA
Formation1946; 80 years ago (1946)
TypeVolunteer; NPO
Legal statusAssociation
HeadquartersNancy Grassmick Building, Maryland State Department of Education, 200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Region served
Maryland
Members200 public high schools[1]
Executive Director
Edward F. Sparks
AffiliationsNational Federation of State High School Associations
Websitempssaa.org

The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) is the organization that oversees interscholastic athletics for public high schools in the U.S. state of Maryland. Founded in 1946, the association operates under the authority of the Maryland State Department of Education and Maryland's 24 local public school systems.

The MPSSAA currently consists of 200 member public high schools and administers state championship competition in sports throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons. For administrative and tournament purposes, the association divides the state into nine geographic districts.

The association was founded in 1946 as Maryland developed a statewide structure for public-school interscholastic athletics. Its constitution was formally adopted on April 21, 1951. Since its establishment, the organization has continued to oversee athletic regulations, classifications and state championship tournaments for Maryland public secondary schools.

Baltimore City's public high schools became part of the MPSSAA in 1993 after withdrawing from the Maryland Scholastic Association, the longtime athletic organization that had included both Baltimore-area public and private schools.

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The MPSSAA sponsors state championship competition in 26 sports.[2]

Fall

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  • Cross country (boys and girls)
  • Field hockey (girls)
  • Football (boys)
  • Girls' flag football
  • Golf
  • Soccer (boys and girls)
  • Volleyball (girls)

Winter

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  • Basketball (boys and girls)
  • Indoor track and field (boys and girls)
  • Swimming and diving (boys and girls)
  • Wrestling

Spring

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  • Baseball (boys)
  • Lacrosse (boys and girls)
  • Softball (girls)
  • Tennis (boys and girls)
  • Track and field (boys and girls)

Football

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The MPSSAA has conducted a state championship tournament in football since 1974. From 1974 through 1987, the state tournament used the classifications Class AA, A, B and C. Beginning in 1988, the classifications were renamed Class 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A, respectively, with Class 4A representing the largest schools and Class 1A the smallest.[3]

The structure of the football postseason has changed several times. From 1974 through 1984, the tournament consisted of state semifinals and championship games. State quarterfinals were added in 1985 and remained part of the tournament through 2002. Beginning in 2003, the postseason was reorganized around regional competition. The playoff format was expanded again in 2021 as part of the move to six football classifications.[3]

The football state tournament currently consists of six classifications: Class 4A, 4A/3A, 3A, 2A, 2A/1A and 1A.[4]

State tournament format

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Each of the six football classifications is divided into four regions: East, North, South and West. At the conclusion of the regular season, eight teams from each region qualify for the postseason according to the MPSSAA point system. Two rounds of regional play reduce each region to two remaining teams.[4]

The two remaining teams from each region advance to the state quarterfinals, producing an eight-team statewide field in each classification. The quarterfinalists are reseeded from No. 1 through No. 8 based on the regular-season point system. The winners advance to the state semifinals and championship game.[4]

State champions

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From 1974 through 1987, the MPSSAA football championships were contested in Classes AA, A, B and C.[5]

Year Class AA Class A Class B Class C
1974 Parkdale Friendly Howard Valley
1975 Arundel Fort Hill Paint Branch Joppatowne
1976 Churchill Largo Seneca Valley Smithsburg
1977 Churchill Seneca Valley Kennedy Valley
1978 Annapolis Friendly Allegany Havre de Grace
1979 Springbrook Seneca Valley Cambridge-South Dorchester Smithsburg
1980 Springbrook Seneca Valley Allegany Snow Hill
1981 Springbrook Richard Montgomery Damascus Havre de Grace
1982 Oxon Hill Thomas Johnson James M. Bennett Snow Hill
1983 Friendly McDonough Allegany James M. Bennett
1984 Randallstown Kennedy Magruder Smithsburg
1985 Springbrook McDonough Wilde Lake James M. Bennett
1986 Gaithersburg Magruder Lackey Havre de Grace
1987 Seneca Valley Laurel Walkersville Milford Mill

From 1988 through 2019, the state championships were contested in Classes 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A. No MPSSAA football championships were held in 2020.

Year Class 4A Class 3A Class 2A Class 1A
1988 Springbrook DuVal Allegany Smithsburg
1989 Springbrook Linganore Allegany Kent County
1990 Randallstown McDonough Wilde Lake Kent County
1991 Quince Orchard Linganore Allegany Wilde Lake
1992 Gaithersburg Seneca Valley Damascus Wilde Lake
1993 Watkins Mill Seneca Valley Damascus Boonsboro
1994 North County Seneca Valley Dunbar Smithsburg
1995 Sherwood Dunbar Linganore Cambridge-South Dorchester
1996 Sherwood Damascus Wheaton Cambridge-South Dorchester
1997 Seneca Valley Wilde Lake Fort Hill Hereford
1998 Seneca Valley Friendly Urbana Oakland Mills
1999 Eleanor Roosevelt Seneca Valley Urbana Forestville
2000 Gaithersburg Calvert Urbana Elkton
2001 Bowie Urbana Hereford Allegany
2002 Parkdale Seneca Valley Hereford Bohemia Manor
2003 Damascus Linganore Aberdeen Joppatowne
2004 Suitland Northwest Potomac Dunbar
2005 Damascus Gwynn Park Potomac Allegany
2006 Suitland Friendly Edmondson Dunbar
2007 Quince Orchard Damascus River Hill Dunbar
2008 Sherwood Westlake River Hill Dunbar
2009 Old Mill Linganore Eastern Technical Catoctin
2010 Urbana Wilde Lake McDonough Dunbar
2011 Old Mill River Hill Middletown Dunbar
2012 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. River Hill Middletown Dunbar
2013 Northwest Franklin Middletown Fort Hill
2014 Northwest Franklin Frederick Douglass Fort Hill
2015 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. Damascus Patuxent Fort Hill
2016 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. Damascus Walkersville Fort Hill
2017 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. Linganore Damascus Dunbar
2018 Quince Orchard Franklin Oakdale Fort Hill
2019 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. Damascus Middletown Catoctin
2020 No championship held

Beginning in 2021, the MPSSAA expanded the football tournament to six classifications: 4A, 4A/3A, 3A, 2A, 2A/1A and 1A.

Year Class 4A Class 4A/3A Class 3A Class 2A Class 2A/1A Class 1A
2021 Quince Orchard Mergenthaler Vo-Tech Northern-Calvert Frederick Douglass Dunbar Fort Hill
2022 Quince Orchard North Point Damascus Milford Mill Academy Dunbar Fort Hill
2023 Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. Mergenthaler Vo-Tech Oakdale Stephen Decatur High School Dunbar Fort Hill
2024 Quince Orchard North Point Arundel Stephen Decatur High School Patuxent High School Fort Hill
2025 Quince Orchard Mergenthaler Vo-Tech Linganore Huntingtown Dunbar Patuxent High School

Championships by school

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The following table lists MPSSAA football state championships won by school since the state tournament began in 1974.

School Championships Championship years
Dunbar 14 1994, 1995, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
Damascus High School 12 1981, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022
Seneca Valley 12 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002
Fort Hill High School 11 1975, 1997, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Allegany High School 8 1978, 1980, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2001, 2005
Linganore High School 7 1989, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2009, 2017, 2025
Quince Orchard High School 7 1991, 2007, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
Springbrook High School 6 1979, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1989
Wilde Lake High School 6 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2010
Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. 6 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023
Friendly High School 5 1974, 1978, 1983, 1998, 2006
Smithsburg High School 5 1976, 1979, 1984, 1988, 1994
Urbana 5 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2010
McDonough 4 1983, 1985, 1990, 2010
Middletown 4 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019
River Hill High School 4 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
Cambridge-South Dorchester High School 3 1979, 1995, 1996
Franklin 3 2013, 2014, 2018
Gaithersburg High School 3 1986, 1992, 2000
Havre de Grace High School 3 1978, 1981, 1986
Hereford 3 1997, 2001, 2002
James M. Bennett High School 3 1982, 1983, 1985
Mergenthaler Vo-Tech 3 2021, 2023, 2025
Northwest 3 2004, 2013, 2014
Patuxent High School 3 2015, 2024, 2025
Sherwood 3 1995, 1996, 2008

Schools with two or one championships are included in the year-by-year championship tables above.


Member high schools

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MPSSAA member schools are organized into nine geographic districts for administrative and postseason purposes. Schools compete through a combination of multi-jurisdiction athletic conferences and leagues administered by individual local school systems.


Classifications

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The MPSSAA divides member schools into classifications to promote competitive balance in state championship competition. Classifications are primarily based on actual enrollment in grades 9 through 11, with enrollment figures submitted by each local school system. Schools are generally divided as equally as possible among four classifications, with Class 1A consisting of the smallest schools and Class 4A the largest.[6]

Classification and regional alignment may vary by sport. The MPSSAA adopts sport-specific classification and regional alignments for two-year cycles. The current alignment cycle covers the 2025–2027 academic years.[7]

Football differs from the standard four-class format and currently conducts state championship competition in six classifications: 1A, 2A/1A, 2A, 3A, 4A/3A and 4A.[8]


District alignment

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For administrative purposes, the MPSSAA divides Maryland into nine geographic districts.[9]

  • District 1 – Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties
  • District 2 – Montgomery County
  • District 3 – Prince George's County
  • District 4 – Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties
  • District 5 – Anne Arundel and Howard counties
  • District 6 – Baltimore County
  • District 7 – Cecil and Harford counties
  • District 8 – Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties
  • District 9 – Baltimore City


Conferences and leagues

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MPSSAA member schools compete in a combination of multi-jurisdiction athletic conferences and leagues organized by individual local school systems. Several conferences include schools from multiple Maryland counties, while larger jurisdictions operate county or city athletic leagues.

Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference

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Allegany County

Garrett County

  • Northern Garrett High School
  • Southern Garrett High School

Bayside Conference

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Caroline County

Dorchester County

  • Cambridge-South Dorchester High School
  • North Dorchester High School

Kent County

  • Kent County High School

Queen Anne's County

Somerset County

Talbot County

Wicomico County

Worcester County

Central Maryland Conference

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The Central Maryland Conference (CMC) includes public high schools from Frederick and Washington counties. The conference was formed in 2015, replacing the former Monocacy Valley Athletic League. Washington County schools subsequently joined the conference, with Clear Spring becoming a full conference member in most sports in 2023.[10]

Beginning with the 2027–28 school year, Carroll County Public Schools are scheduled to join the Central Maryland Conference.[11]

Antietam Division

Gambrill Division

Potomac Division

Spires Division

Southern Maryland Athletic Conference

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Calvert County

Charles County

St. Mary's County

Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference

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The Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference (UCBAC) consists of public high schools in Cecil and Harford counties. The conference is divided into three divisions: Conowingo, Hatem and Tydings.[12]

Conowingo Division

Hatem Division

Tydings Division

Local school system leagues

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Anne Arundel County League

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Baltimore City League

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Baltimore County League

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Howard County League

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Montgomery County League

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Prince George's County League

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Membership". Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  2. ↑ "MPSSAA Sanctions Girls' Flag Football". Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. April 24, 2026. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "MPSSAA Football Championships Tournament History 1974–2018" (PDF). Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "MPSSAA Football State Championships Central". Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  5. ↑ "MPSSAA Fall Record Book" (PDF). Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Classification". Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Sport Specific Classification Recommendations Put Forth For 2025-2027". Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  8. ↑ "2025 Football Classification Alignment" (PDF). Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Organizational Structure". Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Central Maryland Conference Expands". Frederick County Public Schools. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Central Maryland Conference Expands". Frederick County Public Schools. March 16, 2026. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference Bylaws" (PDF). Harford County Public Schools. August 26, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
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