Around the USA in Boys HS Rugby
Around the USA in Boys HS Rugby
Here's a look at some of the action around the USA.
Ohio
St. Xavier HS in Cincinnati hosts the Great Midwest Tournament with teams from Ohio and further afield. St. X won, beating Walnut Hills and Forth Wayne on Saturday and getting by Archbishop Moeller in the final on Sunday, taking the game 14-5. But it was a frustrating final for St. X Head Coach Mark Weidner.
"We played about 90% of the game in their 22 but we couldn't get the tries," Weidner said. "I am proud of the boys. Moeller is big, athletic, and fast, and our guys hung in there in a rivalry game."
Jake Schleiff was very good over the weekend, while No. 8 Carson Padgett "ran ferociously" said Weidner. His younger brother Colby Padgett was called up to the varsity side and was excellent in the tackle.
In other divisions, Medine remains unbeaten in the Single-School league after a 57-5 win over St. Charles. Rayon Coleman scored two tries for the Bees as did Benjamin Raulie. Michael Gabriel continued to be an excellent goalkicker for Medina,
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North Carolina
Wando, which actually is from South Carolina but plays in the NCYRU club season, logged a good result with a 39-21 defeat of the Raleigh Redhawks. Nick Flood scored two tries while Keith Glazer, Brock Fienberg, Luke Bittenger, Bryan Burgess, and Tucker Smith all touched down.
That win ensured Wando would be in this coming weekend's playoffs. They will take on the #1-seed Charlotte Tigers, while the Charlotte Cardinals Blue side will play Clayton in the other semifinal. The Charlotte Cardinals Red side does not play in-conference.
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Florida
Tampa rebounded from a couple of earlier losses to beat Jacksonville and move on to a semifinal spot against Okapi's White team, their most experienced side. Meanwhile, Key Biscayne, still undefeated, will play Okapi Pink.
We do seem to be headed for a rematch of the February 8 meeting between Key Biscayne and Okapi White. That game was won by Key Biscayne 33-26. But it was also almost three months ago.
Indiana
A late try from Zane Davis, converted by the always dependable Isaac Pimental, saw Pendleton overhaul Penn HS 22-12 in a Boys D1 league where no one seems to be able to take control.
Texas
In a 90-degree day under the sun The Woodlands defeated the Katy Barbarians to move on to the Texas High School club final.
The first half was a tense affair. Katy controlled possession and capitalized on Woodlands’ ill discipline. Despite the pressure, Woodlands defended and were eventually able to turn the field around to score three tries and lead 21-0 at halftime.
The second half began with Woodlands loosehead prop Aiden Ventura was shown a yellow card for repeated team infringements. Katy pounced, scoring a try to narrow the gap to 21-5.
But Woodlands responded with tries from Tate Standridge, Anthony Ventura, and Reid Scharffenorth in a 10-minute blitz.
Woodlands didn’t let up, adding another try from captain Erben Birkhoff, and a penalty goal from Neel Menon to seal the win 46-5.
Scharffenorth’s playmaking and Menon’s kicking prowess, combined with the team’s depth and resilience, overwhelmed a physical Katy side. Harry Miller and Neel Menon also scored.
Head coach Werner Marx praised his young squad’s performance, particularly their work in the set pieces. “I’m incredibly proud of how our young players stepped up with physicality, especially in the scrum,” Marx said. “Facing a tough Katy side with so many sophomores on the pitch, their grit and execution were outstanding.”
Woodlands will play Boks in the final. Boks beat Spartans 34-7 in their semi.
Also in Texas, Dallas Jesuit edged Celina to make the Texas-Louisiana Varsity Cup final against Strake Jesuit.
Wisconsin
Marquette, Muskego, and Waukesha are all unbeaten in the Badergland league in Wisconsin, while Pulaski Roos and Fond du Lac are also 3-0 in the NEW league. Marquette beat Elkhorn on Monday 39-5 to move to 3-0. Evan Maier scored three tries in that win. Flyhalf Sam Becker was outstanding and took home Man-of-the-Match honors.
Washington
Camas moved to 4-2 in Rugby Washington's D1 with a 23-19 win over Rainier. Tries from Nick Burchett and Makhi Miller, along with 13 points from the boot of Jonathan Houlding saw the Papermakers through. While Eastsde Lions lead that league with a 6-0 record, the fight for the next three spots is tight, with Liberty at 4-1-1, Rainier at 3-2-1 but with more bonus points than Camas at 4-2. Camas plays winless Budd Bay this coming weekend while Rainier faces 2-4 Panthers.
Coming Up
The Texas-La. VC final, and the Texas HS Club final, is on the horizon. So is playoffs in Northern California, as well as playoffs in North Carolina. Virginia sees the Richmond Strikers play Vienna in Virginia to find out who plays Fort Hunt in the state final.
The Midwest Championships are being held this coming weekend, as well, with the Bishop Denger, St. Edward, Brighton, Penn HS, St. Ignatius, and Notre Dame de la Salette in the championship division.
