While it seems Cardinal Gibbons is the top dog in the Florida yard right now, we know all of that can change.

Florida’s High School season is a relatively long one and teams often find themselves drastically different come the playoffs in April.

But as of now the chase is on to see who can haul them in. Okapi (3-0-1), Wellington (3-1), or Boca (2-0-1) all have a claim.

Okapi beat the SW Florida (aka Naples) Hammerheads last week and is scheduled to face Tampa Krewe this weekend. Director of Rugby Gavin McLeavy said he felt the performance against the Hammerheads was just OK.

“Credit to the Hammerheads; we dominated them in the first half but they figured us out and chipped away and made it difficult for us in the second half,” said McLeavy.

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Okapi has seen their starting and backup flyhalves go down with injuries, and so without Nico Santos and Felipe Woginger directing traffic, and with some other injuries, they will need others to step into the fray.

“The next couple of weeks will be a good test for the lads and we will see who steps up to the plate,” said McLeavy.” On the positive side this will allow a couple of those guys on the bench, that were pushing for a spot to get their opportunity.  I'm really enjoying watching the fight for the center positions at the club: Trevor Thacker, Camilo Bonillo, Keaton McLeavy, Pepu Molnar, and a couple of others can put their hand up and argue their way into the position too. The boys are enjoying the competition.”

Boca, meanwhile takes on Wellington this weekend, which could answer a few questions.

“We had limited numbers early which led to a simple game plan to start the season,” said Head Coach Matt Guest. “With the practice time, the chemistry is improving and allowing us to grow our attack. Luckily we’re seeing the same sorts of improvements on the defensive side of the ball. If we can keep it up we’ll be in good shape.”

Their defense has been exceptional. After giving up 17 to Okapi in a tie in Week 1 that no one liked—“ties shouldn’t be allowed,” said Guest only half in jest—Boca has limited opponents to just 13 points in two games. Against the Cape Pirates they won 24-3. 

Center Logan Ballinger is tied for the league lead in tries and he is a consistent attacking threat. No. 8 Juan Castillo scored against the Cape Pirates last week and has been a consistent standout for Boca.

Boca faces Wellington this week and the Wizards team has grown markedly as they have built their youth program. From U6 through high school they have over 120 kids in the system and growing. Add to that a new rugby field, owned and run by the City of Wellington and situated right next to Wellington High School, the Wizards can be seen by more kids now.

Having said all that, “Boca should be favored,” said Wellington club president Alan Lawson. “But we’ve got a good group of players and a good group of U16s and it will be as always, a tough, tough match.”

Being seen on campus of Wellington HS helps recruiting and overall interest, especially from football players, but the team has to play well, too. They remember well their February 5 loss to Okapi where the Wizards led 19-6 but gave up three late tries to lose 23-19. That was a learning experience in closing out a game that has probably toughened them up mentally.

Leading the way for the Wizards are Luke Davis, captain flanker, captain of the football team, and Homecoming King who loves to lead from the front; Kai'Ron Young, a brilliant scrumhalf who is committed to Belmont Abbey, an excellent flyhalf Will Rimes who will join Young at Belmont Abbey, and No. 8 Presley Savaong, who is a stalwart presence in the pack. More young talent has bolstered this Wellington side, but really the story of young talent is how many youth players they can now feed into the high school program.

Okapi does that very well, also, any it’s certainly the formula.

So that’s how the top teams in Florida are doing (Gibbons hosts Jacksonville and given how they’re going they are favored). But show do Florida teams measure up nationally? It’s difficult to know as travel for these teams is difficult. Is it less difficult for teams around the country to visit Florida? Signs point to yes—Spring Break seems to be a good time to visit Florida so we’ve heard. Those teams do welcome visitors. 

(A couple of notes on the standings: Florida awards 4 points for a win, 2 for a tie, and 1 for a loss. A point is subtracted if you forfeit. Each game's points difference is limited to 25, so while, for example, Cardinal Gibbons has won games by 47 and 49, their overall points difference is only +50.)