Varsity Red Starts in SoCal
Varsity Red Starts in SoCal
Torrey Pines Rugby v St. Augustine
Cathedral Catholic and La Costa Canyon were winners in the opening weekend for the Boys Varsity Red division in Southern California.
Fallbrook tested Cathedral, as expected, but the Dons, led by SoCal all-stars Adam Wilson, Liam Brady, Owen Duvall, and James Ryan, were stronger. La Costa Canyon defeated Poway fairly comfortably 29-7 to move to 1-0.
The Torrey Pines Falcons defeated St. Augustine 27-12 on Friday to start 1-0. St. Augustine was 1-1 in non-league warmup games and now is 0-1 in league play. The St. Augustine football team had an extended run in the CIF Football playoffs, winning the Division I championship on December 5. This cost the rugby squad access to many of its best players until the past week.
Falcon Dylan Fetzer scored his first try ever in TPHS varsity rugby on a pick-and-jam, and then Torrey Pines scrumhalf Jack Hoperich, who made dynamic line breaks all game, set up outside center Toran Raby for a try.
Raby was a U17 High School All-American, but suffered a severe ankle injury requiring reconstructive surgery during the HSAA JV tour to Portugal. This was his first game back after months of rehab, and he appears close to his old form.
Fullback Brandon Hong kicked Torrey Pines out of trouble all game, and was responsible for nine points with three conversions and a penalty. Hong was a much respected punter and place kicker on the Falcon Varsity football team.
"We were a bit shoddy in attack, which is to be expected in a first game," said Head Coach Matty Sandoval. "Our defense was rock solid, and made the difference against a quality opponent. I look forward to seeing how much better this team can get."
SoCal Varsity Red Standings:
La Costa Canyon 1-0
Torrey Pines 1-0
Cathedral 1-0
Del Norte 0-0
Fallbrook 0-1
St. Augustine 0-1
Poway 0-1
Play resumes January 9.
La Costa Canyon 1-0
Torrey Pines 1-0
Cathedral 1-0
Del Norte 0-0
Fallbrook 0-1
St. Augustine 0-1
Poway 0-1
Play resumes January 9.
