It’s a quick turnaround from the regular season to the DIA playoffs, but the first round is indeed upon us this coming weekend.

Eight teams enter the playoffs from all over the country, and all with some significant game-hardening behind them. Here’s a look:

Davenport at San Diego State 

The Panthers of Davenport haven’t won a lot of games, but they’ve not been out of the hunt, either. Losses to Lindenwood (twice) and Indiana were by a total of ten points. And sure the only team Davenport has beaten in 2016 was the Grand Rapids men’s club. But that is no reason to count them out. San Diego State is a tough competitor, and if the Aztecs win this game, they should be taken very seriously indeed. Prop Adahir Aguilera can slot in just about anywhere as he can run and pass as well as mix it up in the rucks and scrums. Hooker Johnny Abdulahad is kind of the same way, and having an active tight five can cause any team trouble. 

Davenport has been through tough games before. Steven Zomberg photo.

But we’ve seen the embattled Davenport win before. What Davenport has become is tough, hard-nosed, unflinching. That may be enough.

Arizona at LSU

Louisiana State is still kind of an unknown for teams in this payoff, as they toil in relatively obscurity in the Red River. The Tigers, though, have some serious talent flanker Brennan Falcon, fullback Alec Miller, and flyhalf Cameron Troxler. And don’t forget the leadership of Christian Brower up front and the powerful running of Toddd Dupre at No. 8. They are an experienced group, a group that wants to finish the job. (Note-Falcon will be in Zimbabwe come game time, with the USA U20s.)

LSU (left, Travis Prior photo) and Arizona (right, Henry O'Keefe photo) is a tough game to pick

Arizona isn’t a poor team by any stretch, despite having lost five games. Those five losses have been to St. Mary’s, Utah, Cal, Lindenwood, and UCLA, with the UCLA loss only 18-12. In addition, the Wildcats are extremely young. Certainly flyhalf Kyle Rogers and lock Cesar Davila are upperclassmen, but the majority of their players are freshmen and sophomores. Some of those youngsters are well-known - Steven Branham, Ian Crilly, Jeremy Fleet, Matt Rogers, and Tyler Sousley are all former HS All Americans - but they’re still young. They’ve been able to start working together a little bit, and this game will be between an older, more tested club team against a younger, learning elevated club team. Arizona might well lose this game in the bayou. But if they do, know that it will just be a stepping stone to learning and growing for next year.

Cal Poly at Air Force

Air Force was almost playing two games this weekend. The Zoomies came very close to beating Utah last week in the Varsity Cup, and had they won they would have had to figure out how to play this game and the 2nd round of the VC in the same weekend. They’re resourceful - they would have find a way. But instead what we’ve got is a team that lost a very close 36-31 decision to a strong Utah squad, and has one more shot at glory. Their god will be Cal Poly, which battled hard against St. Mary’s last week but ultimately fell 50-11. It was a wet day, and that possibly curtailed the scoring somewhat on both sides.

Cal Poly lost to St. Mary's last week. Michael Geib photo.

Cal Poly has been able to hand tough on defense through the season, but their offense hasn’t exactly exploded - they averaged only 21 points per game in the California Conference. Air Force likes to run, and likes to score. Grigor Kerdikoschvili is tough in tight and agile around the park at lock of flanker, and can kick goals, as well. But they’ve got more grit in the tight five and can move the ball smartly. This is expected to be a tough game to call, but if Air Force is able to score early, Cal Poly may have a hard time keeping up.

Wheeling Jesuit at Lindenwood

Lindenwood’s Head Coach is in Zimbabwe with the USA U20s. So, too, will be four players - Malon Al-Jiboori, Lorenzo Thomas, Chance Wengelewski, and Travis Heer. Deion Mikesell remains with the Lions, who should be able to field a formidable side without those youngers. Loose forward and former HS All American Wes Parker, 2015 College 7s MVP Mickey Bateman, imposing goalkicking fullback Lungile Tshuma, and flyhalf Tadhg Leader should all be able to carry the load. Wheeling Jesuit, on the other hand, has been struggling mightily with injuries. Fully 20 players may be unavailable due to injury, and it’s been a tough road for the Cardinals this spring. 

Lindenwood has faced teams such as St. Mary's, and should handle WJU. Michael Geib photo.

Both teams are coming off games - WJU lost a 60-minute game with Notre Dame College, while Lindenwood beat Davenport 13-10 in the snow in Michigan. Lindenwood has played Davenport and Life twice, as well as Arizona, Santa Clara, and St. Mary’s. They’ve seen tough teams, and will be favored at home against WJU.