Already the Southern California Varsity White league has been shaken up, with Carson HS having beaten Wilson HS twice in close games.

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The games themselves were dramatic, very hard-hitting, and contentious, but the upshot in each case was the same - Carson prevailed. This past weekend, Carson showed up with only 15 players, and so had no wiggle room if they'd suffered an injury. No matter. With a huge team effort, Carson held on 24-15.

Carson contributes a number of players to the South Bay Spartans team (as does Los Alamitos), and it looks like the Spartans will be very tough this year in club play. Tevita Aholelei, who coached Los Al in 2017, now coaches with Carson. Big Seleve Tuisalo'o, goalkicker Tristan Anesi, and AJ Moala all played with Los Al last year.

"I could not have been more proud of the boys," said Carson coach and manager Francis Mona Anesi. "They had no subs. We had a freshman playing up. And they just played with their heart. I was worried they were not conditioned enough and that the Wilson boys would tire them out, but the boys were smart. They played strategically, slowed down the game, and made their tackles."

The Carson HS players are huge, and they use their size to their advantage. But size isn't everything, and Carson, as Anesi said, was smart to control the tempo of the game. Carson also managed to score two tries while being down a player due to a yellow card.

"These players have been playing together since they were ten years old," said Anesi. "They are big boys, but they know the fundamentals."For Wilson, it's not the end, as bonus points and other wins have kept them in the playoff hunt. They just need to play a full 70 minutes. In the first game against Carson, Wilson frittered away a 13-0 lead. In the second game, they felt behind 12-3, came back, but then lost late.

"It was a hell of a game," said Wilson Coach Tony Balasuriya.

Wilson flanker Ewan Scott was dominant in the lineout, and was excellent over the ball and as a ball-stealer. He has a big engine and can cover the field.

"He affects the tackle zone and works as a very good, natural #7," said Balasuriya.

Eight teams are expected in the Varsity White playoffs, with five conference champs among them. Carson has Los Angeles wrapped up, and Servite (4-0) has clinched OC Coast with one game remaining. That one game is against 3-1 Los Alamitos, who could jump into a wild card spot with a win or a close, high-scoring loss.

San Marcos has done enough to win San Diego North, but Mira Mesa and Carlsbad do have an opportunity to steal. La Jolla has San Diego South mostly wrapped up, and Santiago needs to finish strong to clinch Inland.

So that leaves a chase for three more spots, and Wilson needs a win against Saint Anthony this weekend to get there. Carlsbad needs two wins from the weekend.

Note: Carson's Girls team is also undefeated.