HS Update: SCIRF, Cross-Border Stuff, and Florida
HS Update: SCIRF, Cross-Border Stuff, and Florida
Here's a quick look at HS results around the nation that we're looking at.
SCIRF
Cathedral Catholic won the SCIRF title, beating St. Augustine 50-28. This was Cathedral's fourth-straight SCIRF title and a huge rivalry game also for both teams in any sport.
Cathedral provided a strong team effort and with injuries and player availabilities they ran a different lineup for the 7th straight game. Seniors Larkin Kenny and Rocco Balistreri led the way and claimed their fourth SCIRF championship. During those four years Cathedral has gone 30-3-1. Their JV's finished the season 9-2 and overall the Dons return 12 starters next season.
Also in SCIRF, D2 winners La Costa Canyon won a tight decision over D1 Fallbrook 24-15. It remained a strong season for Fallbrook as they have made great strides, while LCC finished especially strong with close wins over Mira Costa to take D2 and then over Fallbrook.
Missouri vs Kansas
SLUH took on St. Martin's and it was a tight one early, with the teams entering halftime carrying a 10-9 scoreline (Kingfishers ahead).
It i still early days for SLUH and it showed late in the game. St. Martin's had scored two tries in the second half and SLUH one to make it 22-14. But SLUH started to show the fatigue and St. Martin's pulled away as they hit their stride, winning 34-17.
"St. Martin's having four matches under their belt paid off," said SLUH Coach Brian Corrigan. "Considering it was our first match of the season, there was a lot to like about the effort. However, it came down to the little things like knock-ons, rusty set pieces, and tired penalties in key areas. St. Martin's played a cleaner match than us."
St. Martin's Coach and Headmaster said his team was not as clean or precise as they expect to be. Discipline certainly hurt them as SLUH scored 12 of their points off penalty goals.
But SLUH wasn't too happy with the penalties they incurred, either. As Head Coach Joe Husgen pointed out: "the areas of improvement: Discipline. We received a yellow card for back chat with the sir. No need for that to happen. We will do better. Next, we had a weak defensive launch that allowed St Martin space and time to attack. We usually were able to recover but I feel that was a big part of how St Martin scored their first try."
For SLUH, flyhalf Trey Dino had a good showing, running the attack and using his support and using the kicking game intelligently. The SLUH deep three also handled the Kingfishers' kicking game fairly well and they got strong carries from the forwards. For St. Martin's, flyhalf Patrick Mullholland, lock Prosper Owen, and wing Sam Egger all scored tries while center Ben Skinner touched down twice; center Will Van De Ryt added a penalty and three conversions.
The turning point was probably Skinner's powerful ramble through tacklers from the halfway line that gave Kingfishers a cushion.
Florida
In a clash of two teams looking to chase a title, Tampa held off Boca Raton 27-5. It was a very good defensive showing by Tampa in a game that was highlighted (or lowlighted) by some errors and six cards—Tampa saw four yellow cards and Boca two.
Tampa's defensive efforts have been lead by their interior backs with Jonathan Garcia coming ip big on the wing, as well. With a forward pack working hard and working together Tampa overcame those cards.
Still Tampa is now 2-0 after also beating Key Biscayne (who beat Gibbons in a close one this week). Top dogs Okapi won big again and have not allowed a point in league play so far as they sit 2-0. Boca slips to 1-2 but a hard-nosed 1-2.
Next week Key Biscayne faces Okapi. Tampa and Okapi don't meet until March 9.
Tennessee Tournament
Pendleton won both their games in Saturday's play in the President's Cup in Knoville, Tenn. One game was a runaway, as the Indiana club shut out Father Ryan 78-0. Steven Davault and Andrew Evans both scored twice in a game where Pendleton was able to share the scoring wealth and looked quite impressive.
In the second game they were sorely tested as top Tennessee side Raptors Rugby were edged 10-7. Zane Davis scored the line try for Pendleton while Nick Trout added a conversion and a key penalty to ensure the win.
Sunday will see Pendleton play 901 and St. Xavier.
For their part St. Xavier beat Father Ryan 55-0 behind tries from lock Brendan Lucey (three) and center Mason Moore (two). They backed that up with a 29-5 defeat of 901 with Lucey again on the scoresheet.
So it looks like the tournament decider will be Pendleton vs St. X.