Word is that overall Boys HS rugby in Ohio is getting more competitive.

While it seems like St. Ignatius is a level above, St. Edward, Moeller, St. Xavier, and some of the clubs (potentially) raising their level as well.

Actually, for Moeller it's difficult to say where they are because they fielded a very strong team last year that made the state final and gave Ignatius plenty to handle. This year, some season-ending or long-term injuries have hit them hard. Still they remain contenders and played St. Xavier this past weekend in a very close encounter.

Moeller scored two minutes into the match, exploiting an overlap, but couldn't stay away from penalty trouble and even gave up a penalty try. They also committed some handling errors that put them under pressure. St. Xavier scored after the forwards bashed at the line for a while and finally went over from a pick-and-go from freshman prop Charlie Lynch following a scrum. That was converted and flyhalf Patrick Jennings showed his kicking skills and slotted a penalty goal followed to make it 10-5. Jennifer missed another attempt but then found some space on the outside only to be tackled around the neck as he went in to score—penalty try and a yellow card for St. Xavier.

That put St. Xavier ahead 17-5 and they held the lead for the rest of the first half.

See the entire game here>> 

In the second half, Moeller began to eliminate the penalties and the errors. Luke Hillebrand was forced to move from wing to center due to an injury, and he continued to test the St. Xavier defense. Hillebrand scored his team's opening try running in support at wing, and was part of a dynamic back effort in the second half. Moeller slotted a penalty to inch closer but right after Jennings sold a dummy and cut right up the middle for about 30 meters for the try. He converted and it was 24-8 St. Xavier.

But the game still had 20 minutes to go and Moeller started to pick up their game. The size of their forwards and their strength in set piece, especially in the lineout, started to tell. They stayed on their feet in the rucks and that was a big part of it. Moeller got on the front foot and inside St. X territory only to lose the ball. They got it back and had numbers on the outside but dropped the ball at the goal line.

But eventually another break and a couple of penalties against St. X saw Moeller over the line.

Conversion was good and now it was 24-15. St. X tried everything to win some lineouts and tried a shot throw only for it to not go five meters. From that free kick Moeller marched down, squandered one chance, and then had the forwards punch it over. Kick was good and now it was 24-22 with three minutes to go.

With time winding down Moeller got a penalty and kicked deep. The kick didn't find touch but the chase was good and St. Xavier was under severe pressure. Eventually Moeller got a penalty out on the side and oopted for posts, only to see the ball hit the upright. St. Xavier kicked clear. But that just gave the ball back to Moeller and they got another penalty, opting this time for a kick to touch.

They won the lineout, went wide right, and then back left. St. Xavier had over-pursued and there was space, and the passing was just good enough to get it over in the corner.

And that was it, 27-24 for Moeller. A young St. Xavier team learned a harsh lesson about playing with a lead.

"My guys are all very young," said Head Coach Mark Weidner, who started six sophomores and one freshman. "We didn’t know how to finish a game. We played sloppy and did dumb risky plays with a lead. That will get fixed. We are getting better each week."

"In the second half we just cleaned up our penalties and had fewer handling errors and exploited their over-pursuit of the ruck," said Moeller Head Coach Steve Kuhlman. "Hats off to first-year coach Mark Weidner at St. X, who has those guys playing hard nosed, conditioned, and smart, fast rugby. They are young but they will be very good for the next few years."

For St. X, Jennings was electric, while outside center John Sikora managed the game well. Loose forwards Phillip Bottomley and Logan Kiser had several good moments, especially defensively.

For Moeller, Hillebrand ended up with two tries, while hooker Vince Davis was quick on the poach and was able to force several not-releasing penalties. No. 8 Landin Jacon-Duffy was a huge physical presence.

Next up for Moeller is St. Ignatius, while St. Xavier takes on Walnut Hills.

Also in Ohio, St. Edward continued their solid run with shutout wins over Avon Lake and Brunswick, but their big tests will come in a few weeks when they face Ignatius, St. X, and then the Midwest Championships May 7. They also have a weather-postponed game with Moeller set for May 15.