Last week was an interesting one in Boys HS rugby as we got a couple of almost-upsets and new teams putting their hands up; here's who really stood out to us this weekend.

Asher Hannon, SOC Raptors

The Raptors defeated their rivals Thunder Rugby in dramatic fashion over the weekend and Hannon, who plays flyhalf, was hugely influential in several areas of the field. He directed the attack nicely, kicked well, set up tries, and also made a clutch tackle that saved a try and probably the win.

Chris Lynch, Belmont High

The No. 8 and leader of the forwards Lynch led from the front as Belmont beat arch rivals BC High in the Massachusetts IAA opener.

Tucker Eriksmoen, Albert Lea

In a midweek clash between undefeated teams, Eriksmoen led Albert Lea to the win over Minnetonka with two tries, multiple steals in the breakdown, and additional very smart plays throughout.

Mikaea Wynyard, SFGG

The lock for SFGG is a big, powerful runner, very good in the air, and impressive on defense, and all of that was on display during SFGG's defeat of Lamorinda.

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Owen Clarke, Staples

The lock for Staples scored a try and was a monster on defense in a two-point win over Fairfield.

Zach Raper, Woodlands

Woodlands has a special Man of the Match award named for former player Alex Rayton, and Raper (pictured at left)  did Rayton proud in the Rugby Texas final, scoring a try, hitting rucks with ferocity, defending effectively, and, with his carries, getting Woodlands on the front foot.

Jonathan Quintana, St. Thomas Aquinas

Quintana helped lead Aquinas to a Kansas state title by being a constant presence around the field. The flanker played tireless defense and was strong over the ball, never giving St. James a chance to maintain continuity.

Schyler Altherr, Pendleton

Altherr scored a try at the end of the game against Avon which, with Nick Trout's conversion, pulled victory from the jaws of defeat for Pendleton 17-15.

Diego Echevarria, Tempe

In Tempe's wild win over Red Mountain, flanker Echevarria's defense, especially in the first 50 minutes when the game was very close, was crucial.

Tyler Cahill, Loyola Blakefield

In Loyola Blakefield's MIAA championship win over Calvert Hall, Cahill's calmness under some intense defensive pressure, and his ability to keep the flow going from the scrumhalf position were hugely influential. He also scored a try in the game, which was a tight, 19-7 affair. Cahill is pictured above at left.

Dylan Liskey, Vienna

We've listed a lot of flankers this week and often for the same reasons—less so for Liskey, who did well in other aspects but is here because he broke through tackles and scored two long-range tries, one very long range, in Fort Hunt's 33-26 defeat of Vienna.

Hanu Koi, Granite Bay

Playing scrumhalf for Granite Bay he was the driver of the train as he marshaled his forwards to a stirring victory over Jesuit.

Konye Taylor, Aspetuck

Taylor scored two tries in Aspetuck's win over Morris.

Eli Ziglinski Gregory the Great

Ziglinski combines size and power with skill and an understanding of space, and be brought all of that to bear in the Rugby PA state final, scoring 26 of his team's 31 points as GGA beat Doylestown 31-5. Ziglinski contributed two tries, two conversions, and four penalty goals in the game.

Alex Orchard, Rocky Mountain

Orchard normally plays center or wing for Rocky Mountain's D2 side, but this weekend in the Idaho state final against Capital HS, he was called on very early to replace injured Calvin Byrd at scrumhalf. He did an excellent job, passing effectively, getting to the breakdown to be ready, and launching a couple of very useful box kicks as Rocky Mountain defeated Capital 27-20 to win the state championships.

Mario Storti, De La Salle 

Storti (pictured at top) was brilliant for De La Salle as they beat Danville. the flyhalf was effective in the counter-attack, defended well, and kicked some crucial points from the tee.

Chris Cleland, Doylestown

The Doylestown scrumhalf ran an effective attack as Doylestown put West Allegheny to the sword in the Rugby PA semifinals. While Doylestown would lose the final, Cleland scored Doylestown's lone try.

Bennet Millington, Rocky Mountain

A second one for Rocky Mountain because they deserve it, Millington is the Rocky Mountain forwards captain and has been excellent all season, earning player of the game honors in pretty much every game he has played.

John Budd and Joey Kneese, SLUH

Budd plays flanker and Kneese is a lock and they set the physical tone for SLUH in their win over Chaminade. Each also scored a try in the victory.

Siosi Nauer, Kansas City Jr. Blues

A talented center who has been in the USA U19 and EIRA pipeline, Nauer was moved to scrumhalf this year because the Blues needed a scrumhalf. He hasn't missed a beat and was especially good this weekend in a 19-5 win over Penn.