Two Big Preseason Wins for St. Martin's Kingfishers
Going into 2024 St. Martin’s out of Kansas has already set the tone for what could be a very nice follow-up to a strong 2023.
The Kingfishers played Gregory the Great in a December season warmup and followed that up with a game against a KC Alliance U19 team.
They showed very well in the warmups. Against GGA, St. Martin’s won 47-3 with two tries from No. 8 Harry Lategan and tries from scrumhalf Joseph Moleski, flyhalf Patrick Mullholland, wings Sam Egger and Joseph Beckman, and center Ben Skinner. Center Will Van De Ryt converted six of the seven tries.
Application Window for Boys HS Nationals Opening Soon
The application window for the 2024 Boys HS National Championships will be opening soon, in January, 2024.
As usual, the application process is based on a team's historical competitiveness. However, a team's success during this season is also crucial.
SoCal HS Teams Get Early Tests
Southern California HS teams have been testing each other out before the Christmas break to get themselves prepped for the regular season ahead.
That regular season kicks off really soon—the first weekend in January in fact—so there isn't much time for these teams to get themselves up to speed.
Carlsbad HS, which is mostly made up of players who go on to play for the Thunder club later in the season, breat Orange Lutheran 68-5 in a warmup game for both. The center pairing of Nathan Wilson and Hezekiah Anglin was quite effective for Carlsbad while the forwards were good in the contact area, led by hooker Ray Taele, hard-charging flanker Logan Zumbro, and big lock Quintin Johnson. Their set piece work is ... improving ... said Head Coach Josh Williams. But there's time for that.
South Meck HS Leads North Carolina Going Into Break
North Carolinas school league takes a break over Christmas after the first three weeks of the season, and sitting atop the league right now is 3-0 South Meck.
After a convincing win over Myers Park in which they, for the most part, negated the MP pack power, South Mecklenburg capped off a run of three games in which they won by large margins. And one of the main reasons is they just don't let up.
"We are a really well-conditioned team," said Head Coach Rick Norvell. "We won the final in 2022 and we're a deeper team this year and our conditioning has really won us games."
"Fitness is so important," said No. 8 Nick Flemings. "To beat the best teams you have to be intense, and you have to be intense all the time."
Add to that the fact that this team only graduated a small number of players from last year, and then all you need is the chemistry.
USA Y&HS Partners with Next Phase Rugby for Member Benefit
USA Youth & HS has partnered with Next Phase Rugby to help athletes connect with collegiate rugby programs across the nation.
What this means is that every High School player who is a member of USA Youth and High School Rugby gets a discount for the Next Phase premium membership.
Central to this partnership is player development and the expansion of initiatives directed towards the players.
Hough Wins Rematch of 2022-23 North Carolina School Final
In an early showdown of top teams in North Carolina, the Hough Huskies defeated defending NC school-team champions Marvin Ridge 31-14.
"We were really locked in and when chances arose we were clinical so all credit to the boys," said Man of the Match Zach Colson.
Both teams will have two players attending the USA U18 winter ID campslater this month—Finlay Mitchell and Jake Schumacher from Marvin Ridge and Colby Marr and Zach Colson from Hough. Both teams have numerous NC All Stars players too so the pace, accuracy, and physicality was top drawer.
West Coast Boys HS Invitational Slated for May
Leading youth rugby clubs hailing from Southern and Northern California, as well ass Arizona, have announced the inaugural Pacific Coast Invitational.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Treasure Island in San Francisco, this premier youth rugby tournament is scheduled for May 17-18, 2024.
The tournament will feature a two-day 15s competition tailored for boys (U18 HS Club and High School teams) whose teams have demonstrated prowess throughout their regular league season. Simultaneously, a one-day girls 7s tournament will also be part of the slate.
The primary objective of the Pacific Coast Invitational is to spotlight the abundant youth rugby talent prevalent in California, Arizona, and the surrounding western region. Beyond the competition, the event aims to forge connections for young players with rugby opportunities post-high school.
Pendelton Repeats as Greer Christmas 7s Champion
Pendleton took the Greer Christmas 7s in Greer, SC, going 6-0 throughout the weekend.
An experienced Pendleton side heavy with seniors showcased a strong defense, allowing more than one try in only one of their six games.
The Greer Christmas 7s brought in teams from Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Several teams fielded more than one side and Pendleton did that, putting a side in the top bracket, the Gold Division, and two in the Silver Division. In the Gold Division competition, Pendleton opened up with a 24-7 defeat of Raleigh Rattlesnakes and followed that up with a tough 26-12 win over Raptor out of Tennessee.
USA Youth & HS Signs Apparel Deal
USA Youth & High School Rugby has announced that they have formed an apparel/kit sponsorship with Akuma Sports, a family-founded and owned rugby apparel company.
“We are extremely excited to announce YHS Rugby has joined forces with Akuma as our teamwear partner. We believe that YHS values of growing the community game in a fun and friendly environment align perfectly with Akuma's brand and mission. Akuma’s reputation of speedy delivery, quality products, and exceptional service will only add value to our members.” Said USA Youth and High School Rugby’s Executive Director Giovanni Vaglietti. “Through this partnership with Akuma, YHS members will now be able to get their playing kits more quickly and at a much lower cost.”
SCIRF Kicks Off as Saints, Mustangs Win
The SCIRF season kicked off this week, and St. Augustine and Mira Costa logging victories in the opening round.
St. Augustine defeated Fallbrook 29-5 in the league opener. While the players were excited to play the game, the mistakes crept in just like you'd expect in the first game of the season.
Fallbrook hung tough and were within 10 points at 15-5 at halftime. The second half saw the Saints settled down a little better and become more precise in attack.
"The defense held up well," said Head Coach Eric Dent.
Sophomore Gavin Lowe stood out for St. Augustine, bringing some powerful tackles and was all kinds of trouble with the ball in hand. Lowe scored a try and was involved throughout the game. Flyhalf Colin Shughrou operated nicely and ran the attack, while in the forwards Geno McKenna ran well and scored a try.
Marvin Ridge, Hough, Myers Park All Log Wins in North Carolina
Marvin Ridge, Hough, and Myers Park all recorded wins over the weekend in North Carolina’s boys school league.
With Marvin Ridge and Hough winning, that sets up a midweek game between those two in a repeat of the 2022-23 final, which Marvin Ridge won.
This fall’s 7s champs Hough won big over Charlotte Catholic lead by an outstanding effort from Daveon Neibauer, who is back from injury.
With flanker Curtis Lambert and hooker Tyler Valverde leading the way defensively (tackling and regaining possession in the rucks) and No. 8 Kai Campbell dominant on contact, Hough rolled.
The attack worked nicely through the halfback combination of Porter Kuebler and Zach Colson, with fullback Max Colson doing well to get Hough out of pressure. Up front prop Jacob Eroh was a handful. It was a good start for Hough but there will be sterner tests to come.
US Rugby Foundation Announces Latest Match Day Tent Recipients
The United States Rugby Foundation has announced its latest co-branded tent recipients.
The idea behind the tent program is to give teams a home on the road. Having a tent with the team's name emblazoned on the side provides teams with an identifiable place to store their kit and meet up.
The USRF identifies programs that are growing the game and growing their numbers.
LoCo U16s Impress at Great Falls
The Loudoun County (LoCo) U16 team dominated their bracket at the 10th Annual Medstar National Rehab Hospital Tournament in Great Falls, Va.
Fundraiser Tournament a Huge Success at Great Falls
Eight of the ten players were freshman playing in their first high school event.
The LoCo boys went 4-0 and won the JV division.
North Carolina HS Season Kicks Off
The North Carolina High School season kicked off on Friday with over a dozen teams on the slate.
North Carolina splits its HS rugby season. From December through to the middle of February, school teams compete for the school championship (won last year by Marvin Ridge). The players then take a two-week turnaround before entering the club season. Not every player goes into club rugby, but many do. This format is reflected in Southern California.
UK's Sport Ed Ex Combines Performance Rugby with Higher Education
An innovative overseas playing and educational opportunity for college rugby players, both men and women, is making an outreach to the USA.
This new opportunity in London, UK offers performance training and playing pathways for athletes built on a foundation of an excellent and unique education that doesn’t compromise the athletes' US college credits and allows them to remain flexible in where they participate in their education throughout their college years.
