Already we’ve got a big game in the Northern California single-school league as Jesuit takes on Dixon this week.

Jesuit is still the favored team in the league, but Dixon, after escaping Riordan a week ago, Dixon is in a position to challenge the big guys.

“It was close,” said Dixon Head Coach Robert Salaber os his team’s 24-22 defeat of Riordan. “We were up by 12 points with about five minutes remaining and they scored two late tries.”

Dixon managed to handle Riordan’s big pack for the most part, although, despite being tired, the Riordan team did manage to come back. Dixon had trouble finishing off pressure against the Riordan defense.

So can they capitalize on pressure against Jesuit? They will have to.

“We had a difficult time finishing as we were inside their five meter line several times, and even in the try zone, and were unable to capitalize,” lamented Salaber. “Credit goes to their defense.”

Dixon is led by HS All American flyhalf Nathaniel Short, who will be with the HSAA team in Las Vegas in a week. He’s a smart, crafty player with good balance and acceleration. He’s also good in the rucks. 

But Jesuit is more experienced and perhaps stronger up front. 

Also this weekend, Riordan tries to build on a good start with a game against Clayton Valley, while De La Salle is slated to face Bellarmine.