This weekend will be a busy one for the Rugby Indiana Boys Select Side Program, with the Boys Varsity being split into three teams - North A, South A, and South B - and two JV teams, plus a 7th/8th grade team and a 5th/6th grade team.

Coach Eddie Abel has a deep pool of players to draw from - thanks in part because the Midwest All-Star Challenge will be played in Elkhart, Ind.

Leading the way for the Varsity teams are, as expected, players from NIT champs Cathedral Royal Irish, such as scrumhalf Brian Hannon, who is one of the team leaders, and flanker Noah Schrader, who was the defensive rock for his team.

But other, lesser-known programs have provided key players, such as prop Ollie Brookins from Pike HS. Pike is a small school, but Brookins is an excellent athlete and could make a splash this weekend.

On the JV level, Penn No. 8 Jack White toured with the USA High School All Americans U17 squad this spring. He is only  freshman. Flanker Kevin O'Hara from Cathedral and center Bryan Anderson from Penn provide experience.
 

Perhaps, though, most interesting might be how the youngsters perform. Already there are players such as Broad Ripple fullback Markese Stepp, and Penn Win Jason Terezis who show speed and power. And there's also Broad Ripple flanker Stu Earnhart, who is savvy and tough in contact.

Indiana North is in the same pool with Illinois and Indiana South B, while Indiana South A joins Michigan and the Cleveland Celts in Pool B.

Indiana is the only state at present to bring JV teams, while Illinois is the only state other than Indiana to bring younger-age teams.