SFGG’s 50-5 defeat of Lamorinda is another example of how strong the HS club might well be this year.

While several clubs, for High School and for men’s club have struggled to bounce back during the COVID shutdowns, SFGG turned lemons into lemonade by refocusing the energies of their men’s Head Coach, Neil Foote.

With Foote not having much coaching to do, the New Zealand-born Foote ran a special summer camp with a group of about ten SFGG high school players.

Working with Foote has been a boon to the team.

“We’ve got the most skillful team I’ve ever seen,” said SFGG Head Coach Tony Wells. “Their passing and really all the basic skills are so much improved. Footie’s done a great job with them.”

Now 3-1, SFGG’s only slipup was a 14-12 loss to Danville when they were missing a couple of forwards. Wells dismisses that loss as just a learning experience and notes, quietly, that “we’re starting to pick it up.”

Wins over Lamo, Marin (which booked them at spot at Nationals), and Menlo-Atherton are nice, too, but Granite Bay, De La Salle, and Jesuit remain to be played.

“We have a pretty exciting attacking style of play based around speed of movement and attack threats across the entire team, very different from the crash-bash style of play a lot of the teams here in the region are playing,” said Foote. “It's enjoyable to watch and I'm sure the players are excited to play that style where they are free to express themselves within the framework of the attack plan.”

The numbers tell part of the tale, with SFGG having scored 142 points in four matches and allowed just 31.

They are playing as a team but, naturally, there is some talent bubbling up to the top.

Inside center Justin Dyer leads the attack and is a smart tactician, while scrumhalf Deke Benham gets consistently good service to his backs. Kealan O’Connell has matured as a player and is smart and aggressive. Paddy Casey at fullback just keeps scoring tries—he has eight in four games—and teams have found that they kick to him at their peril.

Sophomore wing/center Roan O'Connell is an up-and-comer. 

In the forwards, USA U18 player Mikaea Wynyard is a force and the team boasts a talented back row of Bruno Gheno, Brian Mckeon, and Zane Wilson. 

“Having a number of players represent the USA has been a great experience base for us, and as they share that knowledge gained to other team members, we have seen huge growth throughout the preseson and season proper,” said Foote.