Watch Decatur players celebrate their big win in the Maryland semifinals
Decatur survived a comeback attempt by Milford Mill to win the 2A state semifinals 35-34. Watch the play and celebration that secured the win here.
In just one week, the high school fall sports season begins here in the Bayside Conference, and high school sports fans have a lot to look forward to as schools reopen and summer turns to fall.
Whether on the field hockey and soccer fields or the volleyball courts, the fall sports season at Bayside South is usually full of competition and exciting matchups. The 2024 season should be no exception, as many teams enter the year with the goal of winning and competing at the top of Bayside.
Here are some top stories from the fall sports season at Bayside South:
Boys soccer: Can Bennett keep the competition at bay at Bayside South?
The 2023 Bayside boys soccer season was another successful one for the Bennett Clippers as they went undefeated en route to the Bayside Conference title. Led by forward Noah Blankensop, they largely dominated the competition, with their only loss coming in the regional finals against South River.
The Bayside South boys soccer crown has been won largely in games between Bennett, Parkside and Decatur in recent years, with Bennett winning in 2021 and 2023 and Decatur taking the South and conference titles in 2022. Outside of those teams, teams like Pocomoke, Crisfield, Wi-Hi and others make up a constantly competitive field in Bayside South boys soccer. Once again, the Bayside South boys soccer crown will be up for grabs, and anyone can win it.
Girls soccer: JMB aims for third win in a row for Bayside
The last two Bayside Conference championships in girls soccer have gone to the James M. Bennett Clippers, the Bayside South representatives winning back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. They did so in dominant fashion, remaining undefeated against Bayside competition in each of the previous two years and suffering their only losses in the regional playoffs.
As the Clippers look to defend their Bayside title and advance to the state playoffs, we'll see if challengers like Parkside and Decatur can be the teams to sweep them off the field, or if the Clippers' winning streak will continue to heat up.
Field hockey: Can Pocomoke win another state title?
With 21 state championships under their belt, the second most in field hockey in the MPSSAA, winning is a constant for Pocomoke Field Hockey. Winners of the state title in 2021 and 2022, they narrowly missed out on a third straight title, falling in the 1A title game. Given their history, it would be no surprise to see them back in the running for another title.
But first they must face competition from Bayside, namely teams like Washington, Parkside, Decatur and reigning Bayside champions Queen Anne's, who beat the Warriors 1-0 in double overtime last year. As usual, competition at the top of Bayside field hockey is likely to be fierce in 2024.
More: The most important games of the 2024 Bayside South football season
More: Storylines to watch in the 2024 Bayside South High School football season
Football: What's next for the Seahawks after winning the 2A title?
After steadily improving under head coach Jake Coleman and proving themselves to be one of the top teams in Bayside and the state of Maryland, the Decatur Seahawks reached the summit in 2023, going undefeated that year and winning a Class 2A state title.
Although some of their top players from last season, including stars like Brycen Coleman, Gavin Solito and Careen Bolden, have graduated, the Seahawks remain one of the top teams Bayside has to offer and will look to build on their playoff successes of the past few years. It's a new season for the Seahawks, with some new faces but a lot from last year, and they hope to bring more titles home to Berlin.
Volleyball: While a Bayside South team wins the conference title this year?
The Queen Anne's County Lions won the Bayside Conference volleyball championships in 2022 and 2023, with the Bayside North team emerging victorious in each of the last two seasons. With 2024 approaching, teams from both the North and South will be looking to claim the trophy.
In the Bayside South, the Parkside Rams were the biggest challengers last year, winning the Bayside South title before losing to the Lions in the final. And you can expect consistent teams like Snow Hill and Stephen Decatur to challenge for the South crown, as they all aim to potentially bring a Bayside title back to their schools.
