In our new feature Game-Breakers, we highlight some players who made an impact on the field this past week.

This is our weekly HS Boys section. If you think we need to look at someone, let us know.

 

Kysheem Johnson West Shore United

Kyler Burch, Herriman

Sam Cusano, Granite Bay

Steven Branham, Fallbrook

Justus St. Clair, Linn-Benton, Oregon

St. Clair hit all four of his penalty attempts and his lone conversion attempt in a tight 19-5 victory over Bend that kept Linn-Benton undefeated for the season so far.

 

Isaiah Bird, Budd Bay, Wash.

In helping his team upset undefeated Liberty, Budd Bay No. 8 Isaiah Bird was a force at the breakdowns and a key source of go-forward ball for the Barbarians. 

 

Jack Freiheit, Greenwich, Conn.

A HS All American, Freiheit scored six tries for Greenwich as they swept the Four Leafs tournament, going 5-0. This followed on Freiheit’s four-try performance the week before.

 

Blake Xavier, Jesuit, Calif.

Out for a long period with injury, Xavier returned to action for the Marauders to patrol the scrumhalf position and spark Jesuit to a 49-5 defeat of Archbishop Riordan. Jesuit’s pace of attack was improved over previous games and part of that might be attributed to Xavier’s service from the breakdown.

 

Michael Carlisle, Notre Dame De La Salette, Ill.

The inside center and goalkicker for ND De La Salette, Carlisle stroked ten of 11 conversions against Fenwick and scored a try to notch 25 points all by himself.

 

Kysheem Johnson, West Shore United, Pa.

A flanker for West Shore, Johnson scored two tries and was a ferocious presence around the field as West Chore Pummeled Chambersburg.  

 

Sam Cusano, Granite Bay, Calif.

The Granite Bay fullback was a multiple scorer in his side’s key 27-5 defeat of Sierra Foothills. In addition, his counter-attacking made key contributions to his side’s field position.

 

Steven Branham, Fallbrook, Calif.

The top player and captain for the most decorated Southern California team so far this season, Branham was at his best once again in leading Fallbrook to a victory over Back Bay. Playing No. 8 for his school team, Branham is a HS All American hooker.

 

John Mauro, Daytona, Fla.

With the absence of Kendrick Williams, it was down to Mauro to win lineout ball for Daytona in a crucial matchup with the Cape Pirates. He took the challenge and helped Daytona win 8-6 and put them in 1st place in their pool.

 

Kyler Burch, Herriman, Utah

A small but scrappy winger, Burch scored a spectacular long-range try for Herriman in their win over West Jordan, but got more notice for stopping and sticking a West Jordan forward who was about 100 pounds heavier than him.