School Team Wrap: DLS, Gonzaga, Ignatius, STA

03.02.2024

sione manoa on his way to scoring for dls 2024

Here’s a quick look at some of the action featuring top school teams around the nation.

De La Salle

In pretty nasty weather De La Salle defeated Los Alamitos to win the All-California school final Saturday. Saint Mary’s College hosted the match despite the rain and in the game De La Salle unleashed an impressive defensive showing.

“Boys played amazing on the defensive side of the ball and kept Los Al out of the try zone for 60 minutes,” said DLS Head Coach Derek Holmberg. “We knew tackling their big forwards was the key to our success and the boys did not disappoint.”

SIone Manoa scored a nicely-taken try to seal the game. Center Chris Biller scored a long-range try and was a handful with ball in hand.

Players of the game were fullback Parker Beilke and lock Jasper Buttles.

“We are so proud of out boys and their performance today in tough conditions,” said Holmberg.

Gonzaga

Defending national school champions exploded for a 96-5 decision over Fort Hunt. This is a solid Fort Hunt team and one that has an eye to maybe winning Virginia. Well, Gonzaga was all kinds of problems for them and didn’t let up.

Gonzaga’s Varsity Black beat Dematha 28-5.

St. Ignatius Cleveland

The 2022 school national champion opened their account with a 46-6 victory over Georgetown Prep. Defensively SIHS was very good and allowed Georgetown Prep into their half just twice, each time surrendering a penalty goal. But Head Coach Dan Arbeznik was not overly impressed with his side, saying their kicking game was not on point, their ball was slow from the rucks, and really, the Wildcats did not show anything close to their potential.

"We had turnovers in the maul, we were held up for tries; we just weren't really dangerous anywhere," he said.

SIHS fielded six teams today, including another varsity group playing Olentangy and winning 35-14 (seven tries, zero conversions). Their other teams all won as well.

St. Thomas Aquinas

The perennial Kansas power defeated Westside Black Swarm 24-14 in the Lindenwood tournament. Max Doerfler once again was player of the game but there were other solid performances. Cooper Coates and Carson Kraft led a good forward effort while in the backs Owen Charlton had a good day.

Also in the Lindenwood tournament, Bixby defeated Moeller 17-11 and Notre Dame de la Salette beat the St. Louis Jets.

For Aquinas, Head Coach Tim Kluempers said he was just pleased his side stepped up against a physically larger opponent.

“I was just pleased they had the confidence to get stuck in and smash somebody,” he said.