It’s playoff time for Boys HS teams in Northern California, with 27 teams playing in some sort of championships playoff at the Cherry Island Sports Complex in Rio Linda.

Sixteen more boys teams play in an open division.

Bullard's Callum Reid (in black) handles some attention

Bishop O'Dowd provides Bullard's first playoff challenge. Jeff Moeser photo.

While there will be plenty of attention paid to the Single-School Varsity Gold final between Jesuit and Dixon, and also to the Multi-School Varsity Gold quarterfinals and semifinals, it’s worth taking a look at the Varsity Silver competition, as well.

The second division in boys HS rugby in Northern California is pretty tough, with several well-respected programs such as Buchanan, Elsie Allen Lobos, and Bishop O’Dowd represented.

But the one to watch, is Bullard.

Bullard went undefeated in the Central Conference in the Varsity Silver, averaging well over 50 points a game and allowing far less than ten. They welcome lanky flyhalf Mikaele Kruse back from the HS All American U17 tour, and also boast some local all-stars, such as Isaiah Dittmar. 

“High School rugby is still kind of new to Fresno,” said Bullard Coach Patrick Quan. “We’re kind of isolated. But we’ve been growing year by year, and we have the ability to play at a pretty high caliber.”

Most of the teams in the Central are single-school - the teams have created geographic boundaries where they can recruit players, and for the most part the teams have players from one school, or sometimes have a small number of players from a school that doesn’t have a team.

But just as important, they are producing talent. Kruse is an excellent example, and there are more coming. Captain and flanker Josh Gutierrez scored three tries in Bullard’s last outing, a 47-12 defeat of rivals Buchanan that clinched 1st for Bullard. Gutierrez has a good motor and is a smart, talented openside.

Second-year player Emmanuel Vasquez-Haro is a football talent, and plays lock for Bullard. He soared two tries last week.

“We may be in the second division here in NorCal, but I think in a lot of places around the country we could give teams a run for their money.”

The Varsity Silver Quarterfinals kick off Saturday with the Lobos (Redwood Conference champs at 5-1-1) against Buchanan (2nd in Central at 8-3), while Dixon’s Silver team (2nd in Sac Conference with a 6-1 record) faces Danville (3rd in Bay Conference with a 4-2 record). Bullard (undefeated Central champs at 9-0) plays Redwood Runners Up Bishop O’Dowd.

The winners go on to the semis on Sunday, with the final being played April 25 at St. Mary’s College in Moraga.