Phoenix Holds Off East Cobb in Georgia, MSIRL
In an eagerly anticipated match up of the two Georgia-based MSIRL teams, Alpharetta Phoenix faced off against current Georgia state champions East Cobb Trojans at Life University on Saturday.
St. Pius Makes a Move
St. Pius X has made a bit of statement in Rugby Texas with two big wins in as many weeks.
After beating Kingwood 60-0 a week ago, St. Pius shut out a solid St. Thomas team 10-0. In a tense, defensive-minded, and not always perfect game, Pius put the pressure on St. Thomas for much of the game and got two scores - which was enough.
"We've got a good team this year," said St. Pius X Head Coach David Selby. "We have a talented backline and we're building some things."
Selby said his entire team is very young, and he expects to continue to develop the program. A new football coach who supports the game, and a supportive Athletic Director certainly don't hurt.
"We're playing well as a team, and even though we're small school we think we can compete," said Selby.
Led by captain Alec Kenda, St. Pius is doing just that.
Mira Costa Takes 1st in LA Varsity Red
The Mira Costa Mustangs clinched 1st in the Los Angeles conference of the Southern California Varsity Red division with 39-10 defeat of St. John Bosco
Both Mira Costa and Bosco went into the game undefeated in league play at 4-0. Both were already securely in the Varsity Red semifinals, but a win here would give the victors home field advantage.
Ranked #10 by Goff Rugby Report, Mira Costa was certainly favored over #33 St. John Bosco and the Mustangs did indeed play well in handling the big, physical Braces.
North Carolina Latest - Chapel Hill, South Meck, Myers Park
The Chapel Hill Highlanders thumped North Raleigh 53-12 in North Carolina league action Friday night.
Hooker Emmanuel Seyon, who scored three tries last week, scored four this week, while No. 8 Benjamin Austin scored two, and flanker Jacob Etringer and prop Justin Holdstock scored one each. Flyhalf Aidan Gallagher added 13 points with five conversions and a penalty goal. The Highlanders are now 2-0 in North Carolina HS Club league play.
Last-Second Try Sees LCC by Torrey Pines
In a tight, dramatic Southern California Varsity Red game, La Costa Canyon clinched 1st in the San Diego conference with a 14-13 win over Torrey Pines.
It was senior night at Torrey Pines, (free hotdogs for the first 100 students, teacher appreciation night) and with two 4-0 teams meeting up, there was a huge crowd at the game.
Boys HS Games Feb 9-12
Well over 70 boys HS rugby games are on tap for this weekend - check back for scores as we update.
The SoCal Varsity Red playoff seeds will be decided this weekend (SoCal Varsity Red Playoff Picture) while the Varsity White goes into its quarterfinals (SoCal Varsity White Playoffs Set) The home teams are probably favored - Wilson, San Pasqual, Los Alamitos, and Univrsity City. But watch out for Santiago and La Jolla, who could pull off a road upset.
Rugby Arizona - Ahwatukee Looks to Make a Move
Rugby Arizona continues with this week's action and while Red Mountain continues to win, Ahwatukee does, too.
The Ahwatukee team, formerly Desert Valley, beat defending Nevada state champs the Las Vegas Blackhawks last week, and Head Coach Roger Tushingham is pleased with the chance to play outside the state.
"It was a very good experience for Ahwatukee," said Tushingham. "The Blackhawks were excellent hosts. Both teams are in pr- season or early season so we're a little rusty - but we played a hard fought game."
EIRA Player Spotlight - Jon Rogers
It’s not every day that a rugby player scored 35 points in a rugby game, and it was certainly of note that Jon Rogers did so last weekend.
Rogers, who is a smart, savvy back for Granite Bay and also a strong goalkicker, is now one of the leading players on a team hoping to repeat the form that saw the Grizzlies win the Boys HS Club National Championships last year.
He’s not the biggest player on the field, to be sure, but Rogers has skills, and he’s smart.
NorCal Latest - Time to Make a Statement
Northern California is full of games this weekend, even if they don't officially count toward the standings.
The NorCal Premier League, which is basically now a slightly whittled-down DI, has all non-standings games, as the teams from the A side of the ledger play the teams from the B side of things. This is a great way to measure the relative strength of the teams involved. CK McClatchy, led by Zach Neff and Inoke Waqavesi, has visions of producing a few upsets, so they will get a chance against a tough Jesuit team (Jesuit Sacramento Starts Strong), while Peninsula Green has an excellent shot at a win against one of the so-called big boys when they take on the Solo Falcons.
One More Reminder - Apply for Boys HS Nationals
Top boys high school rugby teams who want to play for a national championship need to apply to be invited, and the deadline is fast approaching.
While the Boys Rugby National High School Championship is an invitation tournament, the invitations are based on current record, past success, and ability to make the trip (this year the BHSRNC is in Kansas City).
But you hav to apply. So for more on the tournament, the venue, and the application process, go here.
North Carolina Latest - South Meck Makes its Mark
Teams from the Carolinas are on the rise. A quick glance through this publication’s single school and club rankings and you will see more than a handful of teams from that region. The area in and around Charlotte, NC in particular has more than a dozen high school teams in action this season. One of those teams, you might not have heard much about…yet.
This is the beginning of the 3rd season for the South Meck High School Sabres Rugby Football Club. The school itself is huge – 3,000 students. They also have a history of winning in several other sports including multiple state titles in baseball, soccer, swimming – including producing Olympic Gold Medalist Ricky Berens. But rugby is new and getting it going has been a challenging labor of love for head coach Cam Hayes.
Boys HS Club Rankings Week #4
Our first big rankings matchup in the Boys HS Club rankings saw #1 Danville take on #7 Peninsula Green, and the final score, 57-33 for Danville, fit right in with the rankings.
We did get another major matchup that went to the lower-ranked team, with #12 Woodlands beating #10 Katy by four. Woodlands, obviously, moves past the Barbarians. Bayou Hurricanes, Ahwatukee, and Mother Lode all make moves up, as well.
Gamebreakers HS Boys
Here's a look at some of the top performers in Boys HS rugby this past weekend, with action from Northern and Southern California, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and both Carolinas.
Tyler Nunnery, Danville
The Danville flanker was superb in stealing possession throughout an exciting win over Peninsula Green.
Nick Gauthe, Jesuit - New OrleansThe senior prop (pictured, Hudson Ellis photo) led the forwards and was a powerhouse running with the ball. This was Gauthe's first start ever for Jesuit. He's taken to the game well and is a strong scrummager despite his inexperience. |
Boys Single-School Rankings Week #4
Week #4 of the Boys HS Single-School Rankings see a few shifts lower down the bracket.
This is just a case of the results coming in - SoCal, Louisiana, and now NorCal and the Carolinas are in action, and we will see them move up as they play games.
Naval Academy to Hold Boys Camp
The US Naval Academy has announced it will hold its first ever camp for high school boys.
The camp will run June 19-22, and will be for boys 13 to 17 years old.
Campers will learn and develop basic skills, contact skills, scrummaging, other set piece, and game awareness from members of the USNA coaching staff, overseen by Head Coach Mike Flanagan.
The camp will be held at the Brigade Sports Complex, Prusmack Rugby Center. Each day's schedule will run from 8:45am to 3:30pm (noon on the final day). Cost for the camp is $395.
"We are excited about this adventure and hope to create a positive rugby experience for all those young men who are looking to better their game," said Flanagan.
