Cavemen in the locker room. Photo Ezekiel Mataalii-Solomona.
Author: Alex Goff
One of the features of high school rugby in the last couple of years is the realignment, readjustment, and reimagining of various leagues.
Some have succeeded, some have fallen flat, and some have been rebuilt.
That brings us to Utah, where last year’s league alignment was not a raging success and has been changed this year, almost certainly for the better. The number one reason for a league to exist is to provide games for the participants. The next reason is to provide appropriate challenges for the participants.
That second thing means, sometimes, that a team that is pretty good against lower-level teams should be encouraged to play at a higher level, and perhaps lose a few games, in order to raise the level of the game overall.
Utah Youth Rugby has divided their boys competition into various conferences that are, generally, constructed around geography. It is a bit weird, with LCA and Highland being the only teams in the Great Salt Lake Conference, while the Pioneer Trail Conference has six teams.
But what this does is mix pretty much everyone plays at the same level.
This past weekend we saw some of the stronger teams start well, but also some other teams putting their hands up. Cavemen 43 Mountain View Bruins 10.
Cavemen Coach Richard Vernon called this one of the most physical games he had seen. Lock Latu Meai, flanker Dalin Afu, and center Mason Tapusoa all scored tries, and prop Briggs Love scored three. Luke Vernon was 6-for-7 on kicks.
What was great about this game was that these two clubs have faced off since the U6 days.
Scrumhalf Liam Ewer was Man of the Match, while the Cavemen forward pack also delivered a strong performance, anchoring the match with physical defense, effective ball movement, and hard running lines to help secure the result.
'“This was definitely the Utah Youth Rugby Game of the Week,” said Cavemen Head Coach Vaha Esikia. “The final score doesn’t justify how hard this match really was for us. Mountain View came out with all guns blazing; they disrupted our rucks by being more aggressive and physical, making us work for every try. We made our halftime adjustments, but they kept coming at us in the second half. This game gave us a great opportunity to see where we need to improve. I'm proud of our boys for sticking to our systems and patterns while under pressure. Like the saying goes, ‘Iron sharpens iron,’ and this game definitely made us a better team. I know Mountain View will regroup and come back even stronger for the rest of the season.”
Latu Moeai and Dustin Otuafi for Cavemen. Photo Ezekiel Mataalii-Solomona.
Latu Moeai and Dustin Otuafi for Cavemen. Photo Ezekiel Mataalii-Solomona.
“This game represents everything we love about rugby," added Vernon. "It was physical, competitive, and intense for 70 minutes—but what matters most is what happens after the whistle. Both teams came together, showed respect, and honored the game. That’s what makes this sport different. I’m proud of how our boys competed, and even more proud of how they carried themselves.”
Herriman won comfortably over Riverton, but Riverton’s presence in this league will only help them improve. This result for Herriman, however, follows on from their impressive showing over East HS.
Led by Filisi Filipe, Cannon Brinton, Kemper Castro, Boston Hales, and MacRae Parker, Herriman has been able to hit the ground running.
East, however, rebounded with a win over Kearns.
Highland’s 36-19 win over Brighton was certainly a head-turner. Lock Manisela Tauataina scored two tries to pace Highland.
Layton Christian won big last week over Mountain Ridge; 13 tries from LCA were scored by 13 different players.
Next up, Herriman takes on a very good Brighton side. LCA takes on Highland (!), and Cavemen faces Provo.
As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.
He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.
Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.
Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.
Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.
Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.
Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.
