In last year’s HS 7s at the CRC weekend, competition was split between single-school and club teams, and the single-school winner was a team few followed costly - Archmere Academy.

The Auks won because they play a lot of 7s, and know how to do it. Archmere is in the Boys Open Division this year, and the Auks look in good shape to take this bracket.

But it won’t be easy. Burrell and Media, as well as the National Athletic Village 2nd team, join Archmere in Pool A. It’s all to play for in Pool B, with Malvern Prep, Bishop Shanahan, Downingtown, and Union City. Those teams are relatively close, but Downingtown is probably favored.

In Pool C play Unionville, West Chester Wolfpack, St. Augustine, and Coventry. Unionville and St. Augustine are solid, with St. Augustine the recent runners-up in New Jersey. But West Chester has a slightly stronger history in 7s. And in Pool D, La Salle, Narberth, Unionville 2, and Blackthorn duke it out. That’s a toss-up.

Of all of those teams, Archmere has the strongest 7s pedigree.

“We're very excited about the HSRC this year,” said Archmere Coach Andrew Cocco. “There's some electricity amongst the guys and buzz about the school at the opportunity to compete again.”

Archmere won their state championship in 7s and 15s, and also won their bracket in the Subaru 7s. They are looking good. Alec Giakas, Dan Bark, co-captain Nick Udovich, Tanner McIlrath, co-captain Noah Niumataiwalu, and Mark Dombroski are all returning from last year’s team, while additions Kevin Olsen and  Greg McCord have played well. 

“The competition looks phenomenal all around,” said Cocco. “Looking at the other teams and knowing a bit about their seasons and sevens preparation, I think we're going to see the most competitive, highest level HSRC sevens play yet this year. Sevens is a different game from fifteens and it's great to see more teams embrace that.”