We back to the field in the Southern California Varsity White rSan Diego divisions.

In the North, as we profiled last month, San Pasqual has started well, featuring a bunch of players who weathered a tough season last year as youngsters and are now battle-hardened and smarter. They take on Carlsbad, who are also 2-0, having beaten Mission Vista and Fallbrook in two close games.

This is the third year for the Carlsbad Thunder HS program, but they've been working with youth - they start with under-8s - for years; this is the first year they've had graduates from their youth program playing HS rugby, and it's showing. 

"This is the first year that the kids we've actually trained under our youth program are playing for the high school program, and that's exciting," said Coaching Director Josh Williams. Watch out, by the way, for their JV team, which is a highly-skilled group.

"We're excited about the direction of this program," said Williams. 

Among the players looking good for the Thunder are Jacob Jenkins, Will Fox, Jesse Atiga, and Luis Carbajal. Jenkins and Fox were on the EIRA SoCal select team last spring. This isn't a flash-in-the-pan team. Expect them to keep winning. 

Also in action, Fallbrook is at San Marcos, Mission Vista has a non-league game at Torrey Pines, and Alta Vista is at Rancho Bernardo.

RB was 4-2 in league play last year, but has started 0-2. Head Coach Joe Yellen said his team is much younger this winter, with several players starting their first season of rugby. Since we graduated 13 starters from last year's team, we have been concentrating on the basics and tried to simplify the offense."

Over the winter break, a few of the Rancho players from last season, have returned to help at practices and share some of their college rugby experience. That's been a good boost to the program, which could log some improved results in January.

In San Diego South, Mira Mesa has been impressive, as we told you last month,  thanks in large part to a lot of competition for starting spots. But it's more than that. The attitude, said Head Coach Bob McFadyen, is what is pleasing the coaching staff.

"We had two good practices Tuesday and Wednesday," said McFadyen. "The fields were closed today due to rain, but we were able to secure the Mira Mesa recreational gymnsium and are fine-tuning our game inside the gym. That the commitment level with this year's group."

Mira Mesa plays at 0-2 Norsemen. Coronado (1-1) faces 1-1 Westview which has played the most games of any SoCal team this season - five during November and December. University City also started well, and takes on High Tech High (1-1).

UC Head Coach Jason Lee said HTH should be a tough out and he expects a close match. Wet weather has made it tough to find practice space.

"We are soft in San Diego," joked Lee. "As soon as the clouds roll in all the fields shut down."

But, he said, his players are fired up and ready to play.

Also on the slate, 0-2 La Jolla faces 1-1 Patrick Henry.