Pennsylvania’s 2026 PAISAA State Title Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a preview of the three teams (presented in alphabetical order) that I believe are the preseason favorites to win the PAISAA state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Haverford School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season the Fords assembled an 18-3 record and captured the PAISSA state tournament title. The defending PAISSA champions will feature an extremely balanced lineup in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterbacking the offense will be Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='23606' first='Conor' last='Morsell']. This all-world, lefty attackman with filthy stick skills can score in bunches or work as a distributor. Morsell's quick burst and creative offensive instincts are an impressive combination. Running with Morsell at attack will be [player_tooltip player_id='127151' first='Chris' last='Burnetta']. This Harvard commit is an incredibly effective feeder who excels in two-man action. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midfielders [player_tooltip player_id='24324' first='Finn' last='French'] (Duke commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='171276' first='Danny' last='Kinnard'] (High Point commit) will also provide serious offensive firepower for the Fords. French is a 6-foot-1 beast with the speed to run past defenders and the power to run over them. His ability to create for himself or teammates while on the move is remarkable. Kinnard can get downhill in a flash and then elude sliding defenders as he charges to the net for scoring chances in close. Both French and Kinnard are legitimate step-down shooting threats too. Versatile offensive prospect Braiden DeLacy (Bowdoin commit) appears primed for a monster senior year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Fords will start an entirely new group at close, but we do not expect there to be any fall off. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='172260' first='Grant' last='Large'] (Salisbury commit) and senior Charlie Regan (Navy commit) will anchor the back unit. Both players provide a menacing on-ball presence and are solid team defenders too. [player_tooltip player_id='45362' first='Anthony' last='Costa'] will lead Haverford's long stick rotation. Costa is a fleet footed LSM with a nose for the ball who is committed to Brown. Expect major contributions from 6'3” pole Peter Halpert (2027) too. Halpert is a master at using his size and physicality to get into offensive players early in their dodges. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Haverford School's specialist group will make headlines in 2026 as well. FOGO [player_tooltip player_id='82311' first='Gavin' last='Morrissey'] (Villanova commit) excels at winning clamps cleanly to trigger fast break opportunities. Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='120638' first='Jackson' last='Gillis'] will be in the net. Gillis is an imposing goalie (6'5”) with fast hands and quick reflexes. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hill School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2025 Hill School racked up 14 wins against a national schedule and advanced to the semifinals of the PAISAA tournament where they lost to eventual champion Haverford School. The bulk of last season's roster returns for 2026, so expectations are high for this year's Blues team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For 2026 Hill School will rely heavily on its offensive firepower to win games. The attack trio of [player_tooltip player_id='35704' first='Jace' last='Banks'] (Notre Dame commit), [player_tooltip player_id='121753' first='Leo' last='Gillette'] (Boston Univ. commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='129780' first='Sullivan' last='Keith'] (Lafayette commit) can torch opposing defenses in a variety of ways. Banks' explosive speed and filthy stick maneuvers make him impossible to defend 1v1. Gillette is a goal scoring lefty who can initiate from the wing or X. Keith is another skilled lefty with the ability to score or distribute. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill will get the bulk of its midfield scoring punch from [player_tooltip player_id='129788' first='Chase' last='Aquino'] (2028) and [player_tooltip player_id='166443' first='Sawyer' last='Smith'] (Hobart commit). Aquino and Smith are both extremely athletic prospects with size (both 6'3” or taller), speed and polished stick skills. Two-way midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='171355' first='Rhys' last='Dumais'] (RPI commit), fleet footed [player_tooltip player_id='16875' first='Isaiah' last='Barbee'] (Lehigh commit) and sniper Andrew Ahrens (Amherst commit) will make significant contributions at midfield too. Keep an eye on super freshman [player_tooltip player_id='171511' first='Lach' last='Dumais'] as well.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Close defenders Ryan Kastroll (Utah Commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='17220' first='Reilly' last='Crowe'] (Dickinson commit) as well as LSM Noel Mendez will anchor the defensive unit. Kastroll and Crowe are a pair of 6-footers with range and active sticks. Mendez is an athletic LSM who has an impact at both ends of the field. Between the pipes for Hill will be the top goalie tandem Pennsylvania has to offer in [player_tooltip player_id='82283' first='Liam' last='Atkins'] (Georgetown commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='33248' first='Carson' last='Meredith'] (Dartmouth commit). Good luck scoring on those two brick walls.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malvern Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malvern Prep's extraordinarily talented and highly decorated Class of 2025 has moved on to college, so a lot of “experts” are forecasting a rebuilding season for the Friars. I see it as more of a reloading time and expect that come late May, Malvern Prep (18-8 in 2025; PAISAA tourney runner up) will be a serious contender for the 2026 PAISSA crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the reasons behind my optimism for MP's 2026 season is the face off duo of [player_tooltip player_id='123039' first='TJ' last='McDermott'] (Richmond commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='82290' first='Matthew' last='Connolly'] (Lehigh commit). Both of these elite FOGOs can execute clean pick pops or drop to the turf and grind out a win. These two can also muck it up until they can track down the loose ball and secure possession. The dominance of McDermott and Connolly will allow Malvern to play downhill all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Malvern Prep offense will be lean on a host of versatile prospects who can run at midfield or attack. Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id='23638' first='Danny' last='Lucovich'], Brown commit [player_tooltip player_id='121320' first='Jamie' last='McCracken'] and 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='170717' first='Joey' last='Murphy'] will be the foundation of that group. Lucovich and McCracken both possess a fantastic combination of size, speed and stick skills. Murphy is a lefty who is one of the top 2028s in Pennsylvania. He received significant minutes at both midfield and attack during his impressive freshman campaign. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the defensive end of the field, Malvern Prep will be a stout as ever. Close defenders [player_tooltip player_id='21002' first='Kevin' last='Piffath'] (Penn State commit) and Mac Crawford (Richmond commit) provide a physical presence down low as well as lock off capabilities. Meanwhile athletic poles such as Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='71563' first='Dylan' last='Novak'] and stock rising 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='129555' first='Sam' last='Kelleher'] can work as an LSM or as a close defender. Both Novak and Kelleher are ball hawks that can dominate a game between the restraining lines. Between the pipes will be quick and agile senior goalie [player_tooltip player_id='19759' first='Thomas' last='Ploszay'] (Villanova commit). &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Dark Horse PAISAA State Title Contenders</u>:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Episcopal Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perkiomen School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiski School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->