Few are surprised that Red Mountain has started unbeaten in Rugby Arizona’s HS league, but the Tucson Blackbirds have certainly turned heads by going 3-0 out of the blocks.

For Head Coach Tim Pappas, the good start is not really a surprise.

“We have a good group of kids who have been with the team for a few years now,” Pappas told Goff Rugby Report. “I expected them to do well this year - I just wasn’t sure how well.”

The Blackbirds opened their season with a 45-7 dismissal of Desert Vista and followed that up with a 68-0 shutout of Chandler United, and, Saturday, 48-10 over North Valley.

“I don’t think the teams we have played are teams that are expected to be at the top of the league, so we know we’ve got some tougher games to play,” said Pappas. “Still, we expect to be competing for [a top-two sport].”

Leading the way for the Blackbirds is their 8-9-10 combination - players who have been with the program for several years. John Barney at No. 8, Tyler Pedone at scrumhalf, and Brody Wainwright at flyhalf will need to continue to be good for the Tucson team to keep winnings.

In addition, flanker Josh Herring has been an intriguing addition. He actually came out to play for the Blackbirds at the age of 15, but it wasn’t for him and he stepped back. Now, as a senior, he’s grown some and gained some confidence, and it a tall, athletic addition to a squad that has only four seniors.

Next up for the Blackbirds is Old Pueblo, which beat Salpointe 54-0 last week, and then Tempe. They won’t face off with Red Mountain until March 12.