Major HS Results This Weekend

04.29.2023HS Boys

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Playoffs and major games in Boys HS rugby this weekend so far.

Northern California Playoffs

Danville defeated De La Salle for the second week in a row, this time in the NorCal Premier semifinals, 35-12. It was close into the second half, with Danville leading 14-12 with 25 minutes left. But the Oaks backline started to find some space and pull away late.

Granite Bay followed up with a 63-14 dismissal of a very tough Jesuit team.

"We play as a team and that's what counts," enthused Head Coach Chris Miller. "We peak when we're supposed to, which is now."

Avion Ganse, Talae Tuimaunei, and Jackson Launey all led by example in this game with captain Jared Quenga crucial to the effort. Juniors Will Walker (vice captain), Cole McCracken, Masi Koi and Marcus Maveety were all very solid on the day.

In the Premier consolation semis Marin defeated Motherlode 42-19. Hooker Bodhi Shipley scored two tries while fullback Van Hampton, flanker Christian Castro Vonk, No. 8 Rowe Stodolnic, and prop Oliver Dugan all touched down. Flyhalf Ian Ross converted all six tries.

Florida

Okapi won big over Cardinal Gibbons 54-5. The other semifinal was much closer with Boca Raton holding off Key Biscaynee 34-28.

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Top-Ranked School Teams

Gonzaga defeated a tough Xavier team 47-17. Led by yet another strong back row showing and with Emmett Cook leading a good performance from the deep three. The Gonzaga midfield held the Xavier backs in check for the most part.

"It was definitely not our best game, particularly in the first half," said Gonzaga Head Coach Peter Baggetta. "We had lots of opportunities but were not clinical with the ball. Xavier played tough, ran hard and tackled hard; their back row was good and they were very aggressive over the ball."

Greenwich shut out Aspetuck 26-0. Scrumhalf Benja Thompson was very good as Greenwich put their hand up as one of the top teams in the nation.

St. Ignatius defeated Moeller 29-5 in a bit of a slugfest. Like Gonzaga, Ignatius failed to capitalize on some scoring chances early and it was 12-5 at halftime. But slowly the Ignatius fitness started to show. Sophomore loosehead prop Adam Bornhorst was named player of the game for his outstanding defense—he was one of seven sophomores who played for SIHS in this game.

Scrumhalf Teagan Frain was very good sneaking little runs around the edge, Leo Ference scored two tries in the centers, while Carter Snyder and Pat Cooney filled in for injured players and were very good. But it was slow going for Ignatius against a Moeller team that wasn't going to go away.