Jesuit HS of Sacramento is looking ahead to the beginning of the Marauders' NorCal Premier season, but the buildup so far has been solid.

As with most high school teams in California this year, Jesuit High School rugby is struggling with rain, field space issues, sickness and injuries. Regardless of the early season challenges, Jesuit has progressed over the past month. 

In the Kick Off Tournament held in Sacramento during one of a series of storms, Jesuit went 3-0 in shortened games. They were able to beat Santa Monica in the opening game 14-3, then overcame a tough Beaverton, Oregon team 12-5, before besting an athletic Peninsula Green team 13-10. 

Jesuit v Santa Monica - 14-3
Tries - Kyle Estipular, Jonathan Amadi
Conversions - Carlos Ramirez

Jesuit v Beaverton - 12-5
Tries - George Niethammer, Penalty Try 
Conversions - Carlos Ramirez

Jesuit v Peninsula Green 13-10
Tries - Connor Bellinger, Garrett Kay
Penalty - Carlos Ramirez

Next up the Marauders had a preseason hit up against Sierra Foothills. The game allowed Jesuit to run out most of the varsity team and get many newer players some valuable game experience.  Jesuit scored six tries while giving up two.

Jesuit then hosted the Center Parkway Harlequins in a scrimmage on the Jesuit campus.  A very speedy Center Parkway team punished every Jesuit mistake and were able to run in several tries. However, Jesuit continued to refine their attacking game and scored nine tries with captain Garrett Kay leading the way with a brace. 

This past weekend Jesuit made the trip up to Marin to tackle the Highlanders. They were able to put some of the lessons from the past three weeks into the game plan and had a convincing 50-0 victory on the road. Kay, playing as openside flanker, continued to lead from the front with another two tries, and Jesuit was finally able to get to wing Jonathon Amadi with a bit of space and he scored a hat trick. In addition to his probing kicks, and quick ball movement, scrumhalf Carlos Ramirez converted six tries. Conrad Hawkins and Dylan Boylan helped pull the strings in the back line and prop Joe Marchant put in some big hits on defense.

Jesuit 50 Marin 0
Tries - Amadi (3), Kay, (2), Hawkins, Sackett
Conversions - Ramirez (6)
Penalty - Peter Lucas

“We are still testing combinations and trying to get players fit and healthy, but we are getting better every day," said Jesuit Head Coach John Shorey. 'We were fortunate to have former England International, Tony Diprose, from the London Harlequins, do a comprehensive session on defense and the players are now starting to put that into practice. We know that we will be facing some of the top teams in the nation in our league play, so we cannot take any weeks off as we go forward.”