We’re down to four teas in Southern California’s Varsity White competition after this weekend’s quarterfinals.

Murrieta Valley emerged 24-10 winners of Wilson. It was perhaps a slight upset, but Wilson Head Coach Tony Balasurya was philosophical.

“The best team walked away with the win this afternoon,” said Balasuriya. “As long as my boys learn their lessons from this game and elevate themselves in the club season, it’s a win for me.”

Murrieta Valley Head Coach Sean Hannon added his own insight, saying Wilson was excellent at counter-rucking and poaching the ball, and scrumhalf Peter Sio was especially difficult to contain.

“But for us, we just played a good technical game,” said Hannon. “Our backs run their lines really well and hard. We made our tackles, and our forward pack did really well, especially on defense.”

Fullback Asher Hannon made some key try-saving tackles, and Wilson was also stymied on several goal-line stands where the MV forwards shone.

Carlsbad defeated defeated Los Alamitos 28-19 in a tight game, and will take on Murrieta Valley in one semi.

In the other side of the bracket, La Jolla defeated the Valley Center Jaguars 28-7 in a repeat of last year’s Varsity White final. La Jolla ran out 21-0 leaders but Head Coach Bill Leversee said his team lost discipline and “made the the game tougher on us than we needed.”

No. 8 Jack Wiese and flanker Elliot Trudeau showed well, while center Andrew Dorvillier was a handful in the midfield.

Servite was in control move of the time against a very young and new Corona Centennial. Kevin Ryan earned a start on the night and scored two tries and was the player of the game, but overall it was a solid team performance.

So that sets up next wee's semis. Servite will play La Jolla while Murrieta Valley will play Carlsbad.