GRR: SOC Raptors
High-profile HS teams at the Storer Classic started off strong despite the rainy weather.
With rain a constant feature in Southern California these days, teams have eschewed the typical regional response to drops of water out of the sky (that is, they run screaming for shelter), and instead have done the best they could to practice and play.
There's a lot going on in Lucca Deocariza's life and rugby is just part of it.
Welcome to our first Player of the Month award. We asked for nominations for a Player of the Month from our readers, making it plain that we were looking for high school student-athletes, boys or girls, who were accomplished on and off the field.
Belmont Shore defeated the SOC Raptors 24-17 Saturday to advance to the Southern California HS Club final.
As has been the case this season the games between the top four, this contest was close.
(Games between Belmont Shore, Raptors, San Diego Mustangs, and Thunder were, on average, 30-20, with four of the six games within a try.)
The San Diego Mustangs defeated the SOC Raptors 31-14 in Southern California action.
Led by another massive game from lock Dylan Fortune, the Mustangs improved to 3-1 in Southern California league play, while the Raptors dropped to 2-2. Both sides have lost to Belmont Shore, who have started the season 3-0 and had no league game this week because they were attending the Tropical 7s.
Coming of a tough loss against Belmont Shore, the SOC Raptors managed to edge Thunder 31-26, defeating the defending national HS club champions and making it clear that Southern California is competitive throughout.