Belmont Shore is now alone atop the Southern California HS Club standings after a 33-26 defeat of the San Diego Mustangs.
"Good contest," said Mustangs Head Coach MAtty Sandoval. "The better team won; [Belmont Shore] is better than last year, probably the best team in the country. We played well."
"Good game played by both sides," chimed in Belmont Shore Head Coach Johnny Pua. "Credit to SD Mustangs. Their defensive line speed put us on the back foot majority of the game but we adjusted and applied pressure back at them with counter kicking."
Wing Ryan Curtis was key in those kicks, and flyhalf Lenny Ibarra tested the Mustangs with the boot also, putting them under pressure.
Inside center Josiah Apisala was a hard man in carrying the ball into the San Diego defense. His powerful runs made sure the Mustangs had to be very careful about the interior backine channels.
Up front, No. 8 Princeton Tusa was hugely impactful with his carries also, and he unleashed an interception and 80-meter gallop for a try that turned momentum in the first half. And he was backed up by Max Amasio who is a ferocious presence with the ball in hand—Pua calls him a "wrecking ball."
Tusa's older brother Phoenix was a monster ond defense and flanker Isaac Rodriguez worked unceasingly on the defensive side and he did well also to disrupt and steal San Diego lineouts.
"Overall, this was outstanding rugby played by both teams and honestly the top two competitive teams in Socal. Southern California will be well represented at Nationals," said Pua.
SOC Raptors 27 Thunder Rugby 26
In a National Championship play-in, the SOC Raptors just barely got by Thunder Rugby 27-26. Lock Cadence Ward, flanker Waylon Davis, and the halfback combo of Jack Munro and Keegan Hannon all scored tries for the Raptors. Hannon added two conversions and a penalty.
The game started with the Raptors controlling territory and possession, but lost the ball ovee the goalline. This would be part of the game's story, as the Raptors had several clear try-scoring chances that they didn't finish.
