Grizzlies, Bobcats, Colorado Lead GNC U16s
Grizzlies, Bobcats, Colorado Lead GNC U16s
Arizona, Colorado, and Northern California all won their pools Saturday in the Boys U16 division of the Great Northwest Challenge.
Colorado was very polished and smart in their two convincing wins over Eastern Washington and Montana. They followed their game plan well and were methodical in their dismantling of defenses. Scrumhalf Brave Dolan ran the show nicely, was quick to the breakdown, and scored their first try of the day.
And they had finishers—Parker Sacnhez, Landon Jones, and Dominick Gillin all scored multiple tries.
Northern California brought two teams to this division (as they did the Girls U19s and Boys U19s), and their Development team lost a close one 21-20 to Arizona and won a close one over TOA. However, the other side ("NorCal Elite") went 2-0. They were stacked with talent and pace and torched Utah 60-10 behind two tries from flanker Parker Van Doren and two also by lock Nathan Hoge.
Utah had trouble managing their power up front.
Their second game, against Western Washington Selects, was somewhat epic with both teams wanting to win that physical battle. Flanker Leo Heisler scored two tries for the Washingtonians, but NorCal captain Jack Younger matched that, and his second sealed a 17-12 win. It all still came down to power in the pack and then exploiting that.
Arizona was maybe not a surprise 2-0 team ... but maybe they were. They held off NorCal Development 21-20 thanks to two Wyatt Gabbard tries and the goalkicking of William Luna, who converted all three scores (the third try being from Luna himself). Goalkicking was crucial in this tournament.
The Bobcats came away from that game feeling like they hadn't done enough and needed to fix some mistakes.
Luna, who is the hooker as well as the goalkicker, said the team needed to stay positive even if it wasn't all piecing together. Against TOA Luna slotted three conversions and prop Isaiah Taideo scored twice.
"It's good when the forwards can suck in defenders and it leaves us backs some room," said flyhalf and co-captain Maksym Frugone. Sometimes it is that straightforward. Frugone, flanker Porter Kilgore, and utside back Kato Kuusisto all touched down as Arizona won 31-7.
Also getting to the semis was Montana, which was the best of the 1-1 teams; their 48-5 win over Eastern Washington doing the damage with two tries from center Tristan Miller.
With all that said, NorCal and Colorado look the most polished as Day Two looms.
