The championship game matchup in the Southern California CIF Platinum league is almost confirmed, as St. Augustine and San Clemente are in the best position to face off for the title.

St Augustine remained undefeated with a 26-10 defeat of Cathedral Catholic. Cathedral had a chance to catch the Saints but needed to break through Augustine's impressive defense. That didn't happen and the Saints are 5-0.

Mira Costa had an outside chance to get into the chase for the final, but lost 34-14 to La Costa Canyon. Both teams are now 2-3.

So the winner of San Clemente vs Torrey Pines would get into the best position to join St. Augustine in the final. 

San Clemente controlled things in set piece, winning 100% of their own ball and stealing Torrey Pines ball on several occasions. With that ball, San Clemente was patient in getting points from those chances.

"Torrey Pines have a talented back five, and have deadly accuracy off the boot of [Oren] Cargill," said San Clemente Coach Stuart Proctor. "We understood that and had to be disciplined not to fall into their attacking traps, designed to draw penalties. We managed that aspect of the game relatively well."

Late in the game San Clemente's concentration and composure slipped as they tried to get out of their 22. Torrey Pines got a penalty and with the score 21-20 for San Clemente, it was a no-brainer that Cargill would go for goal, and he did. That penalty put the score at 23-21 for Pines.

But San Clemente rebounded. With only a couple of minutes led, they won possession and worked their way upfield, ultimately scoring the game-winner. San Clemente 28, Torrey Pines 23.

With an excellent game played by the San Clemente pack, Kyle Kerr was named player of the game, with Nate Cross and Charlie Clifford also were outstanding. This also was the first time the San Clemente HS allowed the rugby team to plan on a school field. The team has been in operation for five years. The San Clemente HS team has an affiliation with the US Marine Corps 5th Marine. Captain David Pham of the Fighting 5th posed with the team after the game (see above), and the game was played in honor of him and all US Marines.

So this is how the standings sit right now.

One of San Clemente's final two games is against St. John Bosco, which will be a forfeit. So San Clemente is guaranteed five wins, and next week's game against Mira Costa, then, will be to clinch a place in the final. If San Clemente loses to Mira Costa, the winner of Friday's Torrey Pines vs Cathedral Catholic could overtake them. They would have to win one more time, however.

St. Augustine has Fallbrook and Mira Costa left, and is expected to win those games. La Costa Canyon can vault to as high as 3rd with a forfeit win over St. John Bosco and then a win over Torrey Pines.