High School Fall 7s kicks off in different ways in different states, but teams are playing.
Mostly the states that have the most robust fall 7s leagues have robust high school playing populations, enough to overcome the influence (on the boys side) of football, and on the girls side, the onrushing challenge of flag football.
Note to everyone coaching girls rugby, flag football is less of a competitor and more of an opportunity. Flag football players can be brought to rugby with the promise of tackling someone. Just sayin'.
Here's what has happened so far.
Indiana
Mudsock and Carmel both did well in the first weekend of competition in the boys bracket. Carmel was 3-1 with every game within a try. Mudsock, with Isaiah Holzback, Max Inman, and Travis Mack on the scoreboard, went 3-0 with wins over Zionsville, Noblesville, and Brownsburg.
Keep an eye on Zionsville. They were the one team to beat Carmel and they also beat Westfield, while losing a nailbiter 24-21 to Mudsock.
Ohio
Ohio actually has a team from Pennsylvania competing. The travel is easier for West Pitt to go to the Cleveland area rather than the Philadelphia area (not to mention how much they save on high way tolls). West Pitts has talent and certainly they have commitment and logged a nice win over a tough Arkon side.
Defending champs St. Ignatius will have a good challenge from St. Edward in the North. These two played in the opening weekend and it ended up 7-5, with Preston Bucsanyi's try and Charlie French's conversion being the difference. Ignatius went on to win their next game comfortably with the power of Luke Votypka and Quinn Ferris, and the speed of Steven Perez, prominent. Ed's shut out Ignatius B and had to fight to get by West Pitt.
Those four, overall (including Ignatius B which is targeting a Boys in the Boat upset), look to lead in the North.
Utah
Cavemen remain atop the stack rankings after a 3-0 day on Week 2 in the Beehive state. Cavemen beat Rhino/Barbarians, Northside, and Wallace Stegner to remain unbeaten. Herriman went 1-2, losing to Rhino/Barbarians and Mountain Ridge.
So it's a bit of a mix as many teams are just testing out players.
“The boys fall 7s season brings together a great mix of players and skill levels," said Cavemen Coach Vaha Esikia. "We have experienced rugby players getting more reps, athletes who don’t play football, and a lot of first-year players trying rugby for the first time. Sevens is a great introduction to the sport because the game is more open and gives new players plenty of opportunities to learn, develop their skills, and get involved.”
