A year ago #1 seed Granite Bay almost lost their Round 1 game at the Boys HS Club National Championships; this year it almost happened again.
Layton Christian Academy brought intensity in contact, power, and plenty of pace and they matched Granite Bay try for try.
In an astonishingly entertaining game, Layton took the lead and held it until late in the first half as Granite Bay took a 15-12 advantage into halftime.
Early in the second half LCA exploded for a try to retake the lead, and with time winding down, held a 24-22 advantage. Granite Bay threw everything at the LCA tryline, but Layton held on.
Finally, with time frittering away, Granite Bay got a penalty. They pointed to the posts and Jackson Launey slotted it.
There was time for Layton to come back but they couldn't quite do it and Granite Bay held on 25-24.
San Diego Mustangs and Charlotte Cardinals also played in a bit of a barnburner. This was a game in which tries were hard to come by. Both teams tried to use the wind and the kicking game, but both teams had outstanding deep threes to handle the kicks. So it was a battle of attrition.
San Diego scored off a quick tap early but the Cardinals battled back. For much of the second half the game remained at 10-5 for San Diego. Late in the game the Mustangs had a chance at a penalty goal, but opted to run it. As it turned it, it was the right move. They scored, converted, and held on 17-5.
