Well it's been a while since we did a Gamebreakers column for high school players, so we've got quite the list for you.
These are players who had one big game, or, more commonly, have been standouts for their teams throughout the past month.
Massimo Pietranico, Pelham HS
The thunder lock for Pelham gets them go-forward and was a huge factor in Pelham’s win over Xavier and in their strong performance in the Gonzaga classic.
Tali Maafu, Tempe
Maaafu was a physical force in a difficult Arizona final, leading his side to a championships.
Eric Fisher, Greenwich
The Cardinals’ No. 8 was influential on attack and defense and led from the front in a key win over Xavier.
Zach Pickett, Valor
The Valor fullback raced in for the three tries against Regis Jesuit.
Eamon Martin, Notre Dame de la Salette
The La Salette wing scored two tries in a key win over Brother Rice.
Solomone Piifeleti, San Mateo
The Wolverines’ No. 8 scores, defends, makes big players, and has led his team to the top of NorCal’s Gold division.
Ryan Martindale, F5
In a win over Wichita and a one-point loss to Bixby, Martindale scored four tries and also played excellent defense.
Caleb Bott, Traverse City Alliance
The TC No. 8 led the team with two tries and seven tackles in their shutout win over Kentwood in Michigan.
Ryan Casey, Weymouth
Casey sparked Weymouth’s 2-0 start in Massachusetts action.
Chris Biller, De La Salle
Biller's hard running and a key try helped lead DLS to a win over Marin and the #1 seed going into the NorCal Premier playoffs.
04.30.2024HS Boys
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Kimani Laumoli, Gonzaga
The hard-charging Eagles lock led Gonzaga to a Gonzaga Classic win and has been huge for his side throughout this season.
Tommy Kilbain, St. Ignatius
Through a bit of an injury-plagues season for SIHS, Kilbain, playing fullback, has put his hand up for higher honors making try-saving tackles, countering on kicks, and making territory with the boot.
Colby Marr, Charlotte Cardinals
Marr is a front-rower who sets the tone and the platform for the Cardinals during their Gonzaga Classic run.
Chris Milam, Medina
Currently Medina is undefeated and on top of Ohio’s Single-School league. Tighthead prop Milam has been a force at the breakdowns, outstanding in defense, and setting the platform for a top team all season.
Mitch Sullivan, Dallas Jesuit
The Rangers' fullback was a playmaker, defender, and finisher in their Texas-La. Varsity Cup final win over Strake Jesuit.
Christopher Ascough, Winchester
Ascough scored four tries for Winchester in Virginia’s Dogwood league win over Holy Family, a week after scoring three tries in his team’s previous game.
Paul Nelson, Dayton Northern Force
Nelson scored three tries in a key win over Withrow and has continued that surge since then.
Jake Schlieff, St. Xavier
In St. X’s 24-22 win over Moeller Schiellf was a perfect 4-for-4 with his kicks with three conversions and a penalty goal. His third conversion won the game.
Charlie Steen, St. Ignatius
After making a big, heads-up play for SIHS’s 2nd Varsity side against McQuaid Jesuit, Steen was called up to the first side and once again stepped strong into the fray in a win over St. Xavier.
IIsaiah Bowers, Olentangy
A physically strong forward (they call him Quadzilla), Bowers is an explosive ballcarrier who regularly carrie multiple defenders to get go-forward and drive the bus for a league-leading Olentangy side.
Sam Rhea, Pendleton
Rhea scored two tries at scrumhalf to help spark his side to a 38-14 win over Bishop Dwenger.
Daniel Sweeney, Benny Hatch, SFGG
The two captains, Sweeney at scrumhalf and Hatch at No. 8, have led SFGG to one of their best seasons in recent years.
Leo Venebles, Pelham
In Pelham’s 38-36 win over St. Anthony’s, Venebles scored three tries.
Sean McNulty, St. Joe’s Prep
In St. Joe’s 40-33 win over rivals Gregory the Great McNulty scored three tries and helped shoot St. Joe’s to the top of Rugby PA’s D1 league.
Jackson Skarie and Jayden Moomau, Richmond Strikers
All the talk about the Strikers has been about their speed, but this power prop combo sets the physical tone for a Richmond side that is having an outstanding season.
Etu Lolohea, Eastside Lions
The prop and captain of the top Washington side has been their go-to man for go-forward.
Soni Talanoa and Faga Havili, Layton Christian
LCA’s astonishing shutout win over Herriman came courtesy of this midfield combination’s defensive pressure.
Braydon Scott, San Diego Mustangs
Scott scored two tries in the Mustangs’ victory over Belmont Shore
Lenny Ibarra, Belmont Shore
Everything that is created by Belmont Shore, their tries and their points, goes through Ibarra.
Archer Fenton, Rye
Fenton was player of the game and top scorer for Rye in their win over Shawnigan Lake, running in three tries
Luke Abercrombie, Herriman
The Mustangs prop was unknown as a kicker for his team until he and a teammate made a hype video to show off what they could do. With Herriman’s regular kicker injured, Abercrombie stepped in to get points in Herriman’s win over East HS. And he played pretty well as a prop, too.
Luke Abercrombie launches a kick. Andrea Syddall photo.
Jack Boddicker, and Jake Ernsting St. Thomas Aquinas
Boddicker the freshman suited up for STA against St. James and was huge defensively. Ernsting led from the front as a lock in STA’s key win over St. Martin’s Kingfishers.
James Rose, Green bay
The Leprechauns have started 3-0 in Wisconsin and Rose, who has shown well for the USA U18s in 7s has been a leader and a constant attacking threat.
Nick Taylor, Jacksonville
The Wolverines’ flyhalf has the attack as Jacksonville won their Florida semifinal and made the championship game.
Evan Maier, Marquette HS
The Hilltoppers’ center is a try-scoring machine in their 3-0 start in Wisconsin.
Nathan Gunn, St. Louis University High
Gunn provides key goalkicking and a key try against St. Louis Jets and was a big part of SLUH’s solid showing at the Gonzaga Classic.
