The Southern California Interscholastic Rugby Federation (SCIRF) kicks off this weekend with three games in the boys competition.

The Boys Varsity sees Cathedral Catholic take on a somewhat resurgent Fallbrook on Friday, while St. Augustine meets Mira Costa on Saturday. In the Varsity Gold tier, Coronado meets Mission Bay and Steele Canyon will play La Costa Canyon.

According to league officials, the loss of players because of COVID shutdowns has been more than compensated for by the return to in-class instruction and all sports being allowed in SoCal. As a result, teams have seen their numbers double and event triples. Fallbrook, which had depth problems through the 2019 season is back with a junior-sophomore-heavy team that could make a splash.

Head Coach Sierra Arteaga along with Steve Hernandez have been rebuilding the depth at Fallbrook—Arteaga was on the team that was tops in Southern California some six years ago. 

"We're looking to bring back that same mentality and culture," said Arteaga. "We have a young team but they are players that have been playing together since U14s, so they're a tight-knit group."

Flyhalf/center Thomas McSheehy has played with the San Diego Legion and is a strong playmaker in the backs, while Arteaga describes No. 8 James Jones as a "natural leader."

They will work on a young team with everything to gain this season.

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"We will be competitive," said Arteaga. "We had a tough time scoring the past couple of years, but we will definitely compete and improve." 

Cathedral looks solid for the season, with USA U18 camper Dylan Fortune leading a squad that has an experience pack including Ryan Bugg and Max Mendez helped by newcomers Victory Johnson and Ben Smith. In the backs returners Lewis Case and Rocco Balisteri lead a group that sees center Sean Kagen return after missing all last season with a hamstring pull and Marcus Ratcliffe ready to make an impact.

"We are seeing a significant increase in the number of freshmen wanting play and arriving at Cathedral with experience," said Head Coach Glenn Irvine. Two freshmen to watch this year will be forward Jon Solomon and back Spencer Huntley.

On Saturday, St. Augustine and Mira Costa meet up in a game of two teams that have undergone coaching changes, but were league champions in the not-too-distant past. 

Isaac Morrill, all-conference last season, leads a St. Augustine team with league championship aspirations under Head Coach Eric Dent, while Mira Costa sees all-conference player Van Graw return to a squad looking to build back. 

In the Gold division, the league has expended to six teams, with defending champs Coronado opening against Mission Bay. Their two 2021 all-conference players, Asa Valdivia and Joe Williamson return and lead a team that has several other players who were on that top finishing team in 2021. Liam Kane, all-conference in 2021, leads a very deep Mission Bay squad.

La Costa Canyon is at Steele Canyon on Wednesday to open their season.