Familiar names dot the top of the Rugby Texas conferences, but Allen HS might be a newer name to most.

While Katy, Cy Fair, The Woodlands, Lake Travis, and Westlake are all leading their conferences (or close to it), Allen has moved to 2-0-1 after a tie with Jesuit and wins over the Dallas Harlequins Colts and Rock Rugby.

“We’re off to a pretty good start,” said Head Coach Kelly Meek. “We’re excited about our backline. For us the bug thing has been that we have been able to have a JV team the last couple of years. That helps solidify our Varsity team as those players get older.”

Allen could well be 3-0 if they had edged past Jesuit. Meek said his team played well, and learned a little about letting in somewhat soft tries.

“We go with the John Wooden thing that it’s not always about the winning; it’s about the effort,” said Meek, channeling the legendary UCLA basketball coach. “We put in the effort but we let a couple of loose ones get in. Against Rock, they had lost 26 seniors from last year and we were really clicking. Overall we know that this league will be tough.”

Indeed with will be. The win over the Colts was a close one, and with the tie against Jesuit was just another indication that the Dallas Forth Worth league will go down to the wire.

“We’re all pretty close as teams and all of the coaches either played with each other or against each other,” said Meek. “So it’s pretty cool”.

But right now, Allen is on top. Flyhalf Tyson Lucas is a smooth and speedy runner and smart distributor. He’s getting some notice outside the state and will play for Atlantis in Las Vegas next week. Fullback Bo Byrd is very quick and runs track and cross country, so he has pace and endurance. Both can break tackles, make tackles, and score.

This week in Texas, Allen plays 1-2 Plano, while Jesuit plays the ‘Quins Colts in DFW. Woodlands (2-0) plays Memorial (1-2) while Cy Fair takes on Kingwood and St. Pius X plays Lamar. Four Points plays Rock, and in a game that could be important for both, Katy faces St. Thomas. UK tourists Aberdare continue their travels. They lost a close one to Westlake and take on Lake Travis this weekend.

See also: St. Pius Makes a Move

Katy Wins Two in Louisiana