Charlotte Catholic HS is looking to make something of a statement at the Jesuit Classic, as the team caps off something of a rebuilding period.

After some lean recruiting years, the program was taken under the leadership of Ramon Villacura, who resolved to work hard to get students at the school to consider rugby (yes, even in a varsity program you ave to recruit). The result was a promising but young 2014 team that Villacura opted not to send to the Boys HS National Invitational Championship. This year, Charlotte Catholic is indeed going to the NIC (it is in their hometown after all), with a slightly - slightly - more seasoned team.

“I have in the varsity squad three sophomores,” said Villacura. “We have some good players but they are still lacking in rugby maturity. They want to fight, they want to work hard and get better, which is good.”

Several payers attended the Leicester Tigers academy at the University of Mary Washington, and Stephen Larkhams Brumbies Academy spent a week with them.

“We have been working very hard on being structured and disciplined,” said Villacura. “We are working on the basic skills and the structure, and then when they play in the game they use that to be creative.”

Charlotte will be missing a couple of starters in the Jesuit Classic but Villacura said his depth is better than last year and his team hasn’t really focused on their youth in other games.

Flyhalf and captain Joe O’Shields is a smart, exciting player who missed his entire sophomore season with injury, but now as a senior is a lynchpin for the squad. Another senior, fullback Blake Jackson adds experience and creativity, while newbie Mike Wilson is a smart center who is picking up the game quickly.

Up front, Matt Notorangelo is a smart, tough, aggressive hooker, while sophomore Keaton Pagani has been stealing lineout throws all season.

“We’re still young,” wanted Villacura. “We want to play smart, play as a team, and play with skill and creativity. Right now we’re missing those little tiny things that make these guys true rugby players. But we want to get better competition so we can get there.”