It's not often you get a #1 v a #2 HS game in February, but we have one this weekend.

Danville, the #1-ranked HS club in the country, takes on Jesuit of Sacramento, the #2-ranked single-school teams in the county. It's early, vry early, in the season to have this type of game, but that's what you get when you have a premier league like the NorCal Premier. Two weeks ago it was Granite Bay v Peninsula Green. This time it's Jesuit v Danville.

Jesuit has started well enough with wins over Marin and CK McClatchy. But against CK they gave up 40 points, and had to mount a stirring comeback to win it.

Jesuit Head Coach John Shorey was very complimentary of McClatchy, and added “we had a real battle ... but the mental toughness stood out and we were able to regroup, bring on some impact substitutes and finish the game strong.  We will learn from this game and be ready for another tough challenge at Danville. It's an early test for us in a long season, and we look forward to the challenge of playing the #1 club team in the country. The speed and skills should be fun to watch.”

Garrett Kay, after a strong 2015-16 season and a very good trip to British Columbia with the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy, has emerged as a flanker of much quality. He has been outstanding in the breakdowns and on defense - the scoring is just a bonus.

For Danville, victories over Lamorinda, Peninsula Green, and Los Gatos last weekend show they should be ready. They are tough in the breakdown, for sure, and normally like to work the phases, but the Oaks can also open it up. Have a look at this length-of-the-field try, with backs and forwards working the ball equally well. 

See video of try v Pen Green here.

"We have no idea what to expect," said Danville Coach Jon Straka. "We've had a productive week of training and feel prepared."

One other note on this game - it's good to see a local referees society recognize a top-level high school game as worthy of a top-level referee. In this case, Kurt Weaver, who was refereeing Argentina v Uruguay last weekend, will be the guy with the whistle.

Also this weekend in Northern California, Granite Bay has shown some vulnerabilities, and will be looking to bounce back against Solo Falcons. Lamorinda plays a non-standings-relevant premier game against SFGG. In the Top 5 (one level below Premier), Pen Green is at Los Gatos United.

In Division 2, De La Salle, Buchanam, Bellarmine, Bullard, Santa Rosa, and SacPAL are all 1-0, but the team to watch may well be Elsie Allen, who have beaten Vacaville, Bishop O'Dowd, North Bay, and Pleasanton and it's not been close. Josh Kauvesi, TJ Solato, Noa Dau, Epi Feoko, and Sergio Davis were all scorers last week.  

The Lobos host Clayton Valley, but that's another non-league game. Watch out for Bellarmine at PITS, SacPAL at the Cougars, and Buchanan at Bullard.