This past weekend Jesuit HS of Sacramento defeated Lamorinda 62-0 in league play, while Kahuku HS of Hawaii played in the Snow Canyon Invitational, going 2-1 against United, Red Mountain, and Snow Canyon.

On Monday, the defending Hawaiian champion Raiders met the Marauders in Sacramento to cap their mainland trip.

First the earlier games:

Kahuku defeated United 19-12, and Snow Canyon 31-15. These two teams were just digging themselves out of the snow, but are still the defending champions of Utah, in club (United) and single-school (Snow Canyon), respectively. Kahuku ran out a slightly different lineup against Red Mountain, the defending Arizona state champion, and lost 17-10.

Kahuku Coach Seamus Fitzgerald said the event was "one amazing tournament. We'll make this an annual pilgrimage - great hosts, great facilities, great officiating."

Meanwhile Jesuit shut out Lamorinda with some impressive offensive work.

“We played a very composed game and were able to learn from the mistakes we made against Granite Bay,” said Head Coach John Shorey. “We are entering a very tough period with key league games and touring teams, so it will require high rugby IQ and a deep bench as we move forward.”

Christian Dyer, and Jonathon Amadi each scored two tries, and Brandon Calk, George Niedhammer, Carlos Ramirez, Michael Chappelle, Dalvin Milton- Jamal, and Dylan Boylan all scored once each.

Then It was Jesuit v Kahuku, and this was a clash of two very good teams. Kahuku is big and physical and has some solid skill players. Jesuit is very unified in its approach.

Jesuit started quickly, moving the ball across the field with a well-placed kick into corner from outside center Christian Dyer that allowed winger Dalvin Jamal-Milton to run on for the opening score.  Dyer scored the second one and was converted by flanker Luke Thayer.  Thayer hit a penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Unfortunately, ill discipline by Jesuit was punished by a Kahuku penalty, but Jesuit came right back to score with some hard running by captain on the day Bailey Abercrombie. Thayer again slotted the conversion. Once the Red Raiders got back down field they used their size to pound the ball over to score, but missed the conversion. Dyer had another strong run to dot down, but Thayer missed the conversion.   The halftime score had Jesuit up 27-8.

The second half was a bit more stop-start with the Red Raiders getting on the wrong side of the referee.  Luke Thayer continued to punish the penalties slotting a series of penalties in the second half.  A strong run by replacement wing Jayme Thomas led to one more try that was converted by Brian Bauer.  Kahuku never stopped and were able to score a penalty and converted try in the second half.

Final score – Jesuit 46 - Kahuku 18 

Jesuit Forward named Man of the Match – Luke Thayer

Jesuit Back named Man of the Match – Christian Dyer

“It was a composed performance by Jesuit against a very physical team who had put on quite a few miles to travel here,” said Jesuit Head Coach John Shorey.  “These are the type of games we need to put us under pressure and hopefully improve, but credit to the Red Raiders for never taking a step back all the day. We hope to see them again this season.”

All-in-all it was a series of games that will be useful to Kahuku going forward as they return to Hawaii. Interestingly, both teams are slated to appear at the Pacific Cup invitational tournament. Jesuit will be the only team to play in both the Pacific Cup and the Boys NIT. These two teams could be seen again.