Fallbrook, Mira Costa Start 2-0 in SCIRF
Fallbrook, Mira Costa Start 2-0 in SCIRF
The SoCal Interscholastic Rugby Federation league has kicked off with two weeks of games leading into the Christmas break, and while there's plenty of rugby to be played, two teams have gotten off to a 2-0 start.
Fallbrook HS defeated Servite 54-5 and Mission Bay 64-0. Both of these teams are new to the top SCIRF league, which has expended to 10 teams. Mission Bay was in the Silver Division in previous years, but that is no more as the Gold Division is the only boys league. Servite's program went on hiatus when COVID hit but is back and had joined SCIRF. Both programs will continue to build.
Fallbrook Head Coach Sierra Arteaga is happy with the start but was quick to point out they did beat two of the newer teams.
The bigger good news is they have recruited well. Arteaga, who coached both football and rugby last year, is now just concentrating on rugby, which allowed him to devote more time to preseason preparation.
"We looked really good," said Arteaga. "But the league’s really competitive. Last year we were fortunate to get a win over Cathedral and then they got to us later. Really with the league so competitive, you can’t count anyone out."
James Jones III, who plays guard on the Fallbrook football team, is big and strong but also very mobile and Arteaga has him at No. 7.
"It's good we have somebody with his size who is able to move," said Arteaga. "He's also a really good leader."
Thomas McSheehy leads the backline and brings experience and talent to the attack.
Also 2-0 is Mira Costa, which opened with a 29-19 win over Warren HS and followed that up with a 20-0 shutout over La Costa Canyon.
Head Coach Duke Dulgarian said this was the first time his side had beaten LCC, but also warned that there are bigger fish lurking in the ocean.
"Cathedral, St. Augustine, and Fallbrook are all very strong," warned Dulgarian. "But what we're really excited about is how the league has expanded. We're starting well and our defense was good against La Costa. But overall I think the league is getting stronger, and that's good for all of us."
Leading the way for Mira Costa is flyhalf Nick Signorelli, who has been effective as a goalkicker and runs the show in the backline—he has scored 24 of his team's 49 points so far and is working nicely with power-running center Parker Conley.
In the forwards, Owen Razon brings much-needed size to the front row. An excellent lifter in the lineout, which has had a major effect on Mira Costa's set piece, Razon is also a massive presence with ball in hand.
As for the league favorites St. Augustine and Cathedral, they are both 1-0. St. Augustine beat La Costa Canyon 33-5 and Cathedral beat Warren 56-5.
The New Year will bring St. John Bosco into the mix and Cathedral meets Mira Costa on January 7 and Fallbrook January 14.
