Video: Tennessee Tri-Star's Dan Castagna
Dan Castagna of the Tennessee Tri-Stars spoke with Goff Rugby Report's Alex Goff bout playing the LVI.
The thing about the LVI is that it provides a new and strange challenge for young rugby players. It is an opportunity to recognize that there comes a point where you rank players on merit. The Utah Lions won the Boys Open 7s in 2014, and in 2015 put a team into the Boys Elite, tying the Washington Loggers for 5th in that competition. Atlantis fielded teams in just about every bracket, while the Glendale Raptors Academy put a team in the Boys Elite 7s that lost every game, but gained experience.
Sometimes the experience is gained in the lower divisions. In 2014 the Tennessee Tri-Star teams (they fielded two) both struggled. But this year the Tri-Star Blue played well, beating KC Cougars, Bermuda, and Laie Park Side in pool play.
Top Clashes in Florida HS
Two games in Florida’s Boys HS league were between undefeated teams, two being teams that have a long history of doing well in the state, and two that are little (or a lot) new to that level.
In both games, the more established team won.
Orlando defeated the Cape Pirates in a clash of 3-0 teams. Cape’s defense has been outstanding this season and they were physical and aggressive, setting Orlando on their heels early on.
“We tried to play the ball from our own half and their pressure caused us to knock the ball on quite a bit,” said Orlando Head Coach Chris Quigley.
Pirates flyhalf Brock Roper Capes and No. 8 Brennen George helped lead a solid Cape defensive effort.
It took until the 25th minute of the first half for Orlando to finally get on the scoreboard, tying the game at 7-7.
BC Ends HSAA Dream
After a solid weekend buildup to the final, the High School All Americans ran into a wall of Bears in the final of the Boys HS Elite 7s at the Las Vegas Invitational, as British Columbia beat the HSAA team 31-5.
It seemed as if BC had an extra spring in their step. They were quicker to the loose balls on the restart, they were physical in contact, and figured out what the referee needed in the breakdown.
The Bears scored two quick tries and really never looked back.
So in five HS Elite 7s competitions, BC has won twice and finished second three times, and the HS All Americans have won three and finished second twice.
Video: HSAA Tries v Upright Rugby
The HS All Americans beat the Upright Rugby Rogues in the semifinals of the 2015 LVI HS Elite Boys 7s. Here are two of the tries they scored.
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