The Northern California DII Boys HS league is not for the faint of heart, and has produced some impressive athletes and rugby players at higher levels in the past.

This year, five teams have emerged as the major contenders - De La Salle in the Bay Division, Bullard and Roosevelt in the Central, Berkeley in the Redwood, and Kennedy in Sacramento.

Bullard was a contender last year and is deadlocked with Roosevelt - both have 4-0 records.

“We have a few return players who are having a good season,” said Coach Paul Carter. 

That includes HS All American Mika Kruse at flyhalf. Kruse is a powerful runner with pace.

“A lot of coaches think he should be at outside center,” …said Carter. “They are wrong. Mika is a phenomenal flyhalf and makes really good reads setting up our entire backline. He does a great job of creating holes.” 

Partnering with Kruse is scrumhalf Isaia Kruse, Mika’s younger brother. 

“I knew he was going to be a great player but he has really had a breakout year this year,” said Carter. 

Langdon Wagner was a NorCal All-Star last year and can cover various positions i the forwards, while Isaiah Hunter was a standout for the Rhino Rugby Academy team in Las Vegas.

There have been some upheavals though. Last year’s Head Coach, Patrick Quan has moved on to coach at Fresno State. Carter stepped in, and has tried to make the transition seamless.

“I’m grateful to take over from Pat,” said Carter. “He helped groom me to be a head coach. I would not be here if I had not assisted him for the previous six years. I'm a lucky coach to take over such a great club that Pat built.”

Bullard has to work hard to get all the athletes at the school to consider rugby - especially bigger kids - but, said Carter, “we come to play, to bring the wood. We have inserted a pattern of play that suits our team, with attention to body position, technique and strategy, our boys have found a way to compete.”