Conference Race Begins with a Rivalry

IAC play kicks off this weekend, and the MSP Game of the Week features two longtime conference rivals. St. Albans has jumped back into the rankings with back-to-back wins, improving to 4-1. Episcopal enters conference play at 5-0, its best start in eight years. Last season, these rivals combined for 11 touchdowns in a wild 42-35 overtime victory for St. Albans.

St. Albans is led offensively by senior QB Brett Paukstis, who has accounted for 16 total touchdowns. The dual-threat playmaker has thrown for 678 yards and rushed for 499 through five games. Head coach Orion Martin is in his sixth season guiding the Bulldogs, and the former Virginia Tech defensive end has his defense playing its best football of the year. St. Albans has allowed just seven points combined over the last two weeks, while junior LB Max Dilanian leads the team in tackles with 9.6 per game.

Episcopal has enjoyed a resurgence in 2026 under first-year head coach Zach Matthews, who recently earned his 100th career victory. Maryland commit Levi Babin and fellow defensive back Cayden Bruce, a Stonehill commit, have anchored an impressive secondary. On offense, the new staff’s spread scheme has helped unlock a talented receiving corps capable of producing explosive plays, featuring Darian Coates-Cameron, Thaddeus Corley and Ziggy Allen.

This early-October showdown marks the beginning of IAC play, and the result could have major implications for the conference championship race.