Preview by Michael Griffin for Goff Rugby Report. (Ron Raff Photo.)

Boston College

Nickname: Eagles 

Home Pitch: St John’s Seminary, Boston, Ma  

Head Coach: Robert Conway

2015 Conference Rank: #2 

In the past few seasons the Eagles have soared above the competition to become a recognizable program across the country. The boys from Chestnut Hill have competed in back-to-back ACRC bowl games in addition to back-to-back appearances at the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s in Chester, Pa.

Boston College prides itself on playing a well-rounded game using the strength of their forwards and the improvising skills of their backs. If you omit AIC, the Eagles’ backline seems to have the best fluidity in the conference. These skills derive from large proportions of their practice time being spent working on open-field tackling and smart offloads. 

Coaches Rob Conway and Kareem Afifi have played a pivotal role in the development of the Eagles’ system in the past few years. Conway, Goff Rugby Report’s Coach of the Fall in 2015, has the commanded the player’s respect while also knowing how hard to push them. Afifi’s proficiency within understanding systems of the game have stemmed from working with the Mystic River Rugby Club out of Malden, Mass., the defending Men’s DI National Champions. A fair number of Eagles are involved in the club as well. 

As for on the pitch there is little doubt who the Eagles will count on this fall - senior wing Danny Schatzman. Last year Schatzman was a sparkplug in a number of wins for BC, such as Alabama in the ACRC Bowl Series, as well as New England College and UMass. Additionally, Schatzman was named an All-American Honorable Mention this past year. 

At the end of the day, the product of the Eagles’ season will come down to; can they replace players like No. 8 Tom Edwards, fullback Joey D'Antonio, and flyhalf Connor Shaw? Along with Schatzman, that concoction of players possessed enough talent and familiarity with the game to escort the Eagles to a second place finish in the conference last year. If they can transition without a hiccup, look for BC to have another top three finish in the relentless ECRC this fall.