Playoffs and trophies are at stake in the West now in boys HS rugby.
Texas
Celina and Woodlands already claimed their state championships in the Varsity and the Club leagues, respectively.
Celina, Woodlands, Champs in Texas
For the club league, a shift back to a competition where everyone plays everyone and then the top four go into the playoffs seems to have been successful.
It allowed teams to vary their play and to play teams of different styles. Texas does not have 100 HS teams that mean that winning your city requires beating several teams, so playing around the state is what it’s about.
Texas does have 35 teams across Club D1, Club D2, and the Varsity league. That’s a growing number, especially in the Varsity league.
Arizona
We report on Red Mountain’s defeat of Tempe in the Arizona final here.
Utah
Herriman won comfortably over East HS in the High School semifinal with Cole Reagan getting a couple of tries, and they look to be the favorites to win the final this weekend.
Mountain Ridge edged Brighton in the other semi, thank to a try and the kicking of Connor Swapp.
Cavemen will play LCA in the club final as expected. LCA was pushed by Mountain View but prevailed 40-32 thanks to some more successful goalkicking. Cavemen were 42-10 winners over Highland in their semi. Hooker Kymani Maumasi scored two tries with Fisher Baldwin, Mason Tapusoa, Aiseah Hafoka, and Matai Mama all touching down. Luke Vernon was a perfect six-for-six on conversions.
“Cavemen’s defense won the game,” said Head Coach Rich Vernon. Highland got into scoring position multiple times only to be sent away without any payoff.
Colorado
Glendale hosts the championship weekend and it's a somewhat bizarre situation. It's not rare to see an upset in a semifinal, but two? That's weird.
East HS dominated league play with an excellent defense and were unbeaten going into the semis against a 1-4 Valor. Monarch was 4-1-1 and has defeated Regis Jesuit (who were 3-3) twice. Well, in the semis, Regis Jesuit edged Monarch 22-20 to make the final.
And with East vs Valor, Valor put in their best performance of the and won the game on a very athletic play by lock and vice captain Pierce Bell.
The top seeds, combined record 9-1-1, will be playing for 3rd.
Idaho
Owyhee and Rocky Mountain are in the state final.
Owyhee beat Eagle in impressive fashion 67-10, a win built on a powerful forward pack and set piece and smart tactical play.
Eagle weren’t helped by a red card midway through the first half.
Rocky Mountain exploded to a big lead in the first half but Middleton mounted a comeback and were in excellent position to take this one. It was 40-33 for Rocky Mountain when the leaders got a try and a penalty to put it away 50-33.
