The semifinalists in the Tier II bracket in the Boys National High School Championships, and three of Thursday's quarterfinal games showed that the people who rank the teams involved did a pretty nice job.

The Union Mudturtles used their power in the middle and a solid core of skills to free up their speedsters out wide, and in doing so ran out to a 34-15 lead. But Northern California team North Bay scored two late tries to make it 34-27 with only a couple of minutes remaining. Union's defense held firm, and the Mudturtles from New Jersey held on to win. 

Union struggled early and Head Coach Joe Dabulas said his players were making some careless offloads and rash decisions. He subbed off a couple of players as a result.

"It hurt us in some ways but we had to send the message that we need to stick to the game plan, and the guys responded," said Dabulas.

When they started to create space, the Mudturtles were able to showcase their pace. Wing Jatece Wright scored two tries, chasing down a kick for one and speeding around the outside for another. Fullback Kevin Trotter scored a key try through traffic.

Fishers battled through against a tough Charlotte Tigers team to win 25-22. That pits the Indiana team against Union from New Jersey.

Meanwhile, in the only blowout of the day, Charlotte Catholic slammed Brother Rice 95-14. It was a bit of a shock result for Brother Rice if only because the Chicago team has been in nationals Tier II twice, winning once and coming 2nd the other time. It's regroup and regather time for them. Charlotte Catholic will take on Notre Dame De La Salette, which held off Sierra Foothills 26-24. La Salette led much of the game, but Sierra Foothills, using their powerful back row, kept equalizing. But a try from powerful center Michael Carlisle and then a key penalty goal saw the Illinois team through.

So in the bragging rights between East, Midwest, and West, it's Midwest 2-1, East Coast 2-1, and West Coast 0-2.