Florida’s High School kicks off in earnest with some questions lurking.
What appears to be the case is that this could be a very tight league overall. That was shown last weekend with an early league game between Boca and Key Biscayne. Boca won by the slim margin of 18-14.
Both teams turn around and play games this weekend, with the Rats visiting Tampa and Boca visiting Wellington. Add to that a clash between Jacksonville and defending champs Okapi and you’ve got one of the bigger games already.
Jacksonville opened their season with warmup matches against Red Top and Alliance a couple of weeks ago. This was. supposed to be a celebration of rugby, but it was muted as former Jacksonville player, Jet Ortiz, tragically passed away just before the games.
“It was a bit emotional for myself and several players,” said Head Coach Aaron Church. “This season will be tough in that regards but we are a family and stick together through good and difficult times.”
The Wolverines have a lot of new players and that’s why the warmup matches were so important. Having graduated pretty much all of their starters, the Jacksonville team has some work to do in order to get the new group up to speed.
“All new team, new chemistry, new talents, and different expectations,” said Church. “With any rebuild it starts with recruitment which i feel we did very well this season attracting 50 kids to the program. And now we really hone in on the basics and enjoying our rugby.”
Okapi will be the Wolverines’ toughest opposition, and they are experience. “But what we lack in experience we more than make up in physicality and fitness,” said Church.
Keep an eye on center Hux McCarthy and forward Pohiva Tuionetoa (at prop) and Jonathan Barbosa (No. 8).
