Archbishop Spalding’s Tyler Brown admitted last year’s MIAA A Conference playoff loss to McDonogh weighed on his mind. Despite the Cavaliers controlling most of Friday’s rematch, there was some uneasiness for Brown as the Eagles made a second half run.

Brown took matters into own hands, literally. He returned an interception for a touchdown to adjust momentum for the second-ranked Cavaliers, who posted a 45-12 decision over the 11th-ranked Eagles at Whittles Field in Anne Arundel County.

Sophomore quarterback Malik Washington threw three touchdown passes for Spalding (7-1 overall), which remained undefeated (4-0) in MIAA A play with third-ranked Mount St. Joseph. The Gaels (4-0 MIAA A) pulled away from No. 4 and reigning league champ Calvert Hall for a 33-22 victory in Towson Friday evening.

The Cavaliers, who were shutout by McDonogh in last year’s semifinals, 7-0, scored the first 24 points Friday. But the Eagles, courtesy of back-to-back third quarter scores, trailed 24-12, when they regained possession at their one-yard line.

On the second play of the drive, Brown snagged the ball and took it 13 yards to the end zone, the second pick-six for Spalding’s defense Friday.

“We started good, then it was rocky,” Brown said. “It’s either we’re going to fold and quit, or we are going to fight through adversity.”

Spalding hasn’t faced much adversity this season since an opening week loss at New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep. For the seventh straight game, Spalding scored on its opening drive as Washington hit Max Moss from 20 yards on fourth down.

The Cavaliers drove 71 yards on 15 plays on their next offensive series, culminating in Washington tossing a four yard touchdown pass to Damien Wilburn. On the next play from scrimmage, Paul Poknis took an interception for a touchdown.

Cooper Welch added a 27-yard field goal, extending Spalding’s advantage to 24-0 at half.

“For us, playing with a lead is important,” Cavaliers coach Kyle Schmitt said. “Especially with how we play defensively. Playing with a lead is good for us.”

McDonogh (3-5, 2-2 MIAA A) made a run in the second half. Jeff Exinor caught two long touchdown passes from freshman quarterback Braeden Palazzo. The first one came down the sideline for 63 yards, the second was a catch-and-run over the middle for 80 yards.

Spalding’s special teams answered the call, pinning the Eagles at their one-yard line, setting up Brown’s pick-six.

“Our kids have really embraced special teams,” Schmitt said. “The biggest play is the coffin punt. That was probably the biggest play of the second half.”

“Coach Schmitt takes that credit,” Brown said. “He preaches special teams. I don’t think any team preaches special teams like he does.”

The Cavaliers followed Brown’s defensive score with Jameson Coffman’s one-yard rushing touchdown and R.J. Newton’s 30-yard touchdown off a screen pass from Washington.

McDonogh coach Hakeem Sule, whose offense scored two touchdowns for just the third time this season, was pleased with the second half effort Friday evening.

“I was really proud of our team’s effort at the start of the third quarter,” Sule said. “We battled, finished strong.”

So did Spalding, which bid for a perfect season and first MIAA A championship was brought to a stunning end by McDonogh last November on the Whittles Field turf.

“It felt great (to win),” Brown said. “Last year, leaving off that field, it wasn’t a good feeling at all. So coming into this game, I had that in the back of my head for sure.”

NO. 2 ARCHBISHOP SPALDING 45, NO. 11 MCDONOGH 12

McDonogh 0 0 12 0 - 12

Spalding 7 17 7 14 - 45

First quarter

Spalding - Max Moss 20 pass from Malik Washington (Cooper Welch kick)

Second quarter

Spalding- Damien Wilburn 4 pass from Washington (Welch kick)

Spalding - Paul Poknis 15 interception return (Welch kick)

Spalding - Welch 27 field goal

Third quarter

McDonogh - Jeff Exinor 63 pass from Braeden Palazzo (conversion failed)

McDonogh - Exinor 80 pass from Palazzo (conversion failed)

Spalding - Tyler Brown 13 interception return (Welch kick)

Fourth quarter

Spalding - Jameson Coffman 1 run (Welch kick)

Spalding - RJ Newton 30 pass from Washington (Welch kick)