Two USA HS All American sevens teams took on two Rugby Canada U18 sevens teams in a Can-Am series this week, culminating in the final games on Saturday, July 13.

Played as part of the Great North 7s in Ontario, this tournament was designed to expose almost 50 high school players to top-level competition.

On July 11 Canada White defeated USA Stars 19-12, with Canada Red scoring at the death to defeat USA Stripes 14-10.

But on the second day of action, things turned around for the Americans. The USA Stripes beat the USA Stars 22-5 thanks to two John Campbell tries and one each from Cyrille Cama and Christian Ridgeway.

The semis crossed the Canadian and America teams over against each other. With the Stripes winning that last game, they faced Canada White, which had lost 22-10 to Canada Red. Meanwhile, Canada Red, led by Kal Sager, was hit by injuries, and weren't quite as fresh as they were on Day One.

Ethan Fryer then scored two as the USA Stripes beat Canada White 22-12 in the first final. Then, in a bit of a shocker, the USA Stars shut out Canada Red 26-0 behind tries from Jake Broselle, Tohi Angilau, Nate Roeback, and Ben Wierenga. 

So that set up the final games with Canada White and Canada Red, who had started so well, playing for the Plate. Canada White scored in the opening seconds, but Canada Red replied and pulled away 24-12.

In the final, USA Stars took on USA Stripes. The Stripes were down to nine players due to injury, and in fact it was the Stars that scored first, pressuring off the kickoff and then sending speedy Hawaiian product Mitchell Hirose in under the posts. 

Great game to watch @GreatNorth7s U18 @USARugby Stars vs @USARugby Stripes pic.twitter.com/NeTAafa5Sc

— GreatNorth7s (@GreatNorth7s) July 13, 2019

After a big run from Christian Ridgeway, the Stars kept up the pressure and put Mosese Kauvaka in at the corner.

With the first half almost over, the Stripes found their way through and a bullocking run from Nate Roeback put the prop over for a 12-5 lead.

Roeback then galloped through from long range to start the second half, and as the Stripes started to wilt in the Ontario heat, the Stripes kept it up. Defensive pressure forced a miscue late and Kingi Fisipeau swooped in to grab it and score under the posts to win it 24-5. 

The injuries certainly hurt the Stars, but that's the nature of a high-level sevens tournament.

Several players, including Roeback, Aidan Barry, and Mitchell Hirose showed well in the event.

USA STARS ROSTER

Head Coach | JK Anderson (Charlotte, NC)

Assistant Coach | Ethan Pougnet (Denver, CO)

USA STRIPES ROSTER

Head Coach | Steve Brennan (Seattle, WA)

Assistant Coach | Greg Schor (Fort Lauderdale, FL)