Around the nation in Boys HS Rugby.
Boys HS Rugby Scores April 3-7
Southern California
We’re coming up to two Boys HS National Championships play-ins in Southern California this coming weekend, with San Diego Mustangs vs Thunder, and SOC Raptors vs Belmont Shore.
The Mustangs have already seemingly established themselves as the leading team (so far) in SoCal having beaten Belmont Shore, and then SOC Raptors 48-13.
“Our defense is in form and our attack is improving,” said Mustangs Coach Ramon Samaniego. “But our discipline is atrocious. If we don’t get our penalty count down, we could be in big trouble in the close games we expect in Elkhart.”
Having beaten Raptors, and the Raptors having beaten Thunder, then you would logically expect the Mustangs to beat Thunder. Of course the Mustangs coaches wouldn’t want GRR to say that. They want to approach the next game with a full level of concern.
Regardless, San Diego is favored against a very good Thunder team. The big question next week is the Raptors vs Belmont Shore game. That game could well be very close—few are willing to make a prediction.
Belmont Shore lost to the Mustangs 29-5 on March 22.
Northern California Premier
See our report here: NorCal Latest: Granite Bay, DLS, Jesuit Win. SFGG Looms
Northern California Gold
On a pleasant spring day in Sacramento the Carmichael Hawks defeated Elsie Allen 40-7 to rebound from last week's loss to Lamorinda. Wing Nick Visaca scored three tries and center Sakiusa Tikotani scored 22 points on two tries, two penalty goals, and three conversions to lead the Hawks.
Overall, though, the defense was the story for Carmichael.
Meanwhile, Lamorinda beat Sacramento Air 48-31.
Lamorinda’s forward pack set the tone early and prop Vita Tuapaki bulldozed over the line twice. Flyhalf Thomas Parrot directed play with composure and flair, slicing through the defense for two well-taken tries. He and No. 8 OC Lehner were named players of the game.
Support came from all areas of the field. Flanker John Sharky Tamale crashed over for a try after sustained forward pressure, while scrumhalf Romel Mariano sniped over from close range. On the wings, Will Puamau used his pace to finish off a flowing backline move, and center Micah Anum added to the tally with a clinical finish. Elliott Lewis, also in the centers, slotted four conversions from eight attempts.
Sac Air showed resilience and flair of their own, keeping the scoreboard ticking with 31 points, thanks in part to strong showings from their key players. Flyhalf Issac Koi kept the Lamorinda defense guessing, while No. 8 Wayne Koi led from the front with powerful carries and solid defense, both earning Man of the Match honors for their side.
Ohio
St. Ignatius has a habit of scoring tries late to pull away and this week was no different. An intercept try and one helped along by penalties saw St. Xavier of Cincinnati score on the Cleveland team, but Ignatius took a 28-14 lead into halftime. As the game wore on, and despite some unforced errors, the Wildcats built on that lead and ended up winning 64-14.
There were some bright spots for St. Xavier, notable inside center and captain Sam McNab and try-scorers Nate Hodapp and Mikey Ealy. But Ignatius, especially their forwards, were powerful in contact and finished well. Jacob Papesh and newly-minted Naval Academy commit Connor Bender were very good, while flanker Mason Hartley was tireless and produced one of the more impressive tries of the day. The best might have been Chris Perez's effort when he saw a chance for a grubber, regathered his kick and outpaced the chasers. Or it might have been a nice interplay of offloads for Jimmy Coughlin to score in the corner.
Rafe Gabrovsek continues to be very difficult to play against.
