HTH/Pt. Loma is now 4-0 in the Southern California Varsity White San Diego Conference after beating Rancho Bernardo 47-14. 

The result sets up a clash between HTH/Pt. Loma and UC/Clairemont, who powered past previously 2-1 San Pasqual to go to 2-0. UC/Clairemont won’t be eligible for the playoffs because they don’t mer the requirement of at least 70% of their players coming from one school, but they are still pushing to win the conference.

To do that, though, they will ave to take care of an HTH/Pt. Loma that has been playing superbly.

“We were disjointed from the start and had our heads handed to us in the rucks,” said a concerned HTH coach David Barnes. “We maintained decent defensive continuity but rucked to the ball rather than through the breakdown.”

Barnes said this was the result of some lackluster practices, and the players knew it.

“The positive being the ownership the players took for the performance, had an extensive discussion about the problems, and set a fitness practice for themselves on Monday. You cant ask for much more as coach and the staff generally left it at that.”

Freshman Matt Fa' Alele put in his best all-around game at flanker, showing a high work rate and physical defense. He also scored a couple of tries, as well as powering through the defense and sending a nifty offload to No. 8 Dan Rosen for a try. 

“We have made a living this year executing the simple things very, very well,” said Barnes.  

Flyhalf and HSAA hopeful Augustine Centurion was good on six of seven conversions.

“The competition level goes off the chart next Friday with the Mettle Cup vs. UC/Clairmont,” said Barnes.

Players and coaches know each other well as they combine to make up the majority of the San Diego Aztec U16 and U18 teams.

“We lost last year by one point as time expired, and while frustrated there was solace in knowing the winning conversion was made from the corner by All-American Patrick Madden, who would be my flyhalf the following week for the U16 season,” said Barnes.

This coming week promises to be just as dramatic.