The Southern California High School season kicked off in grand style this past Saturday when traditional Red Division rivals Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon co-hosted powerhouse Mira Costa and perennial contender Dana Hills, at San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas.

The format was each San Diego school versus each northern school in 35 minutes games, with no points kicking, allowing for maximum on field action.

The first match pitted Torrey Pines against Dana Hills. Dana Hills penetrated early but committed a crucial turnover, allowing Torrey Pines to fight their way up field with a balanced attack. HS All American hooker Nick Zimmer punched in the first try of the day from five meters. Torrey Pines fielded the ensuing kickoff, and went to work. They scored again on an offload from Zimmer to inside center Ian Slack from twenty meters out. Dana Hills capitalized on a penalty, with a textbook maul off a line out, with the trailing runner shooting down the sideline for the try. Torrey Pines answered with another try to end the scoring, Torrey Pines 15 Dana Hills 5.

The second set was a battle between south and north powerhouses, LCC and Mira Costa. Mira Costa has moved from Varsity White to Red (see the league overview here: SoCal HS Varsity Conferences Expand). The early going was a slugfest between the 22s, with both teams testing the opposition defense, sending structured forward attacks in multiple phases. Neither side could gain much an adavantage. The conservative strategy was curious, since both Mira Costa, and LCC have quality back lines. Mira Costa struck first, breaking from the mire to take a long try in from near midfield. LCC then opened things up. With Justin Peterson and Shawn Lamkun leading the way, they created sufficient width to even the score with a nice try in the corner.

Mira Costa then stayed on to face Torrey Pines. Unfortunately, Mira Costa was struggling with depth, leaving a handful of featured players in Manhattan Beach due to injury and the SATs. Their fatigue was evident as Torrey Pines dominated the breakdown and time of possession. Final, 10-0 Torrey Pines. The last fixture was LCC versus Dana Hills. The young Dana Hills squad had their hands full as LCC was in full stride, topping them 20-10.

All of the coaches seem pleased with their teams and the competition. Dana Hills' Michael Efthymiou felt his team might have been a bit over their head with their youth and inexperience against such quality opposition so early in the season, concluding it will be a big help once they start league play. Duke  Dulgarian said "it was an honor traveling south and finally playing the storied San Diego schools, Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon." Our guess here is another matchup awaits when the playoffs begin. 

Ruben Spilkin, LCCs coach noted "it is the true spirit of rugby, when we can pair up with our rivals, Torrey Pines, to co-host such a quality event, and I'm hopeful we can make it an annual." Torrey Pines coach Matty Sandoval was equally impressed, "the teams seemed in mid-season form. I've never seen such quality rugby this early, and the sportsmanship was exemplary. Thanks to the coaches, players, parents, and a special nod to Sal Pacella who refereed all four games."