The Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference (MARC) is always a tight one and it looks to be much the same this year as Week #1 kicks off.

Last season, Rowan became the class of the region with a 6-0 record and a deep run into the national playoffs - a big win over UMass-Lowell and a close 44-41 loss to Towson in the quarterfinals. But IUP, York, Drexel, and Lehigh all were very close behind Rowan, and those teams are looking to push once more. California Pa - new to the conference this season - and IUP both have new coaching programs. 

"We expect to face very competitive opponents throughout the fall matrix," said York club president Malachi McMullen. "Scranton, Drexel, IUP, and of course Rowan have been perennially dominant contenders. Bloomsburg, and Lehigh are recruiting well, and playing remarkably better each season. We are fortunate to recruit a number of promising freshmen to fill key roles left by a number of graduating seniors. This season York expects we will continue to rebuild its rugby program."

But they also know they have a lot of work to do.

So does everyone else. This weekend, eight teams are in action. Cal of Pa hosts East Stroudsburg (1-5 last year), IUP (5-1 last year) hosts Lehigh (4-2), Slippery Rock (3-3) is at Scranton (new to the conference), and Bloomsburg (0-6) is at York (4-2).