Here’s a look around the country in HS rugby over the past several days.

Texas

Woodlands won 20-0 over West Houston to take the Texas HS Club championships.

It was a tight game for much of the final, with center Trace Biltz’s eight-minute try holding up well into the second half. It wasn’t until the 53rd minute that flanker James Lopez got over to double the lead at 10-0. Scrumhalf Neel Menon then converted and soon thereafter added a penalty to make it 15-0.

Biltz iced it late with his second try.

So while, yes, it was a 20-0 shutout and certainly Woodlands defended well, this was a close game for most of the time.

Tight Final, Plenty of Competition at Boys Midwests

Oklahoma

F5 produced what some might identify as an upset, edging Wichita 17-15 in the state semifinal. They will meet up with Bixby, which is looking for its 4th-straight state title. Bixby put aside Tulsa 34-5 on senior night. Bixby has been very strong this season. They have also been to nine straight Oklahoma state finals (winning six) and that doesn’t count a COVID-abandoned season where they probably would have been in the final too.

Okapi Caps Off Perfect Season With Florida State Championship

Missouri

The Kansas City Jr. Blues booked a place in the Missouri state final with a 41-21 defeat of Liberty. Lance Nauer, Kade Williams, Kaden Critten, Conor Sexton, Eli Murray, and Josiah Hepler scored tries, with Williams adding four conversions and Critten adding one.

Scrumhalf Aiden Chavez and forward Gilberto Marchan were very strong.

They followed that up with a non-conference win over United RFC 56-17.

Chavez and Vince Jacoby each bagged a brace in that and flanker Sam Wells led the defense.

New Jersey

Christian Brothers Academy shut out Bergen Catholic, paced by Nate Ryan’s two tries and tries also from Ben Tortorici, TJ Meehan, Nate Galinski, Tommy Prestininzi, and Dan Dinnell. 

This is a big runout for  a New Jersey sports powerhouse in Bergen Catholic. CBA Head Coach Pat Moroney said “they have massive potential.”

Fairfield Prep Impressive in Win Over Staples

Following a moving dedication to late Morris coach Paul McDevitt, Morris defeated rivals Union.

SATs forced Morris to run out a small roster, but they hung on. Union tried to establish physical dominance, with forwards Charley Blessing and Sean Asgaralli. The Morris defense, led by co-captain Joe Burke, was solid.

Charley Colvin was a force, taking on Union’s heavy forwards.

Andrew Stickley helped set the platform for Thomas McDevitt and captain Oliver Acuna-Casey to set up Oliver Sadler for the try. In the dying stages of the first half, Union Captain Matt Froden was yellow-carded due to an infringement and Morris Co-Captain Joe Burke left the game with a shoulder injury. 

Stickley burst through the entire defense to score in the second half Sadler almost did the same, but was hauled down. Moments later he was carded for an intentional knock-on. From a penalty inside the Union 22,  Thomas sent a long pass to Acuna-Casey who passed to Sebastian Occhino for the try. Acuna-Casey broke through the Union defense to a thrilling 70-meter try to make it 26-0. Late in the game Union captain Matt Froden scored to make it 26-7.

Morris finishes the New Jersey season unbeaten. The playoffs kick off May 20 but before that Morris hosts Aspetuck and Union in a non-conference round-robin.