GRR on X  GRR on Facebook GRR in Instagram GRR Vimeo Library GRR on YouTube RuggaMatrix America Podcasts Support GRR on Patreon

Some HS Roundups: BC, SIHS, Cardinals, Aquinas

irish rugby tours

Some HS Roundups: BC, SIHS, Cardinals, Aquinas

Charlotte Cardinals vs Raleigh Redhawks. Jim Eversole photo.

Here's a quick look at some of the developments in Boys HS rugby around the nation:

Nor'Easters

For us here at GRR World Headquarters we're pleased to see teams play outside their region. We can give you a long list of how teams that start playing outside their region get better and how teams (or even leagues) that only look inward drop in level. 

Right now it's been exciting to see Boston College High play outside Massachusetts and this week their 40-24 defeat of Greenwich was a big result to showcase.

Captain Mikey Smith scored two tries while scrumhalf Braxton Blind also scored twice in the victory. It was a windy day and BC High handled the wind quite well. Flyhalf Gavin McNicholl was one reason for that and he also logged 20 points with two tries and five conversions.

"BC High found ways to score," said BC High Head Coach Paul Carty. "I was pleased with our attack and defense, but we still have work to do to clean up at set pieces.

Ohio

St. Ignatius beat rivals Moeller 42-10 to open their Rugby Ohio Varsity league account. Next week they take on 2-0 St. Edward and a week later they play St. Xavier. St. X. plays Moeller this coming week. Ignatius also sent a side to play McQuaid Jesuit in New York. That was a cold, rainy day and McQuaid's handling of the conditions—ball handling, kicking, and hard running—were better than that of Ignatius in the first half, and they took a 15-5 lead into halftime.

In the second half Ignatius inched closer, but with about four minutes left a potential lead-taking try wasn't scored (knock-on as the player reached over to score), and McQuaid got out of it and back to midfield. But Ignatius came back and scored off an eightman pick. With the conversion that made it 19-18. Ignatius managed one more try as McQuaid tried to get that lead back. It was a dramatic end to an entertaining match.

In Ohio's HS club league league Olentangy is 3-0 after a well-taken 35-14 win over Hudson. Medina's midweek defeat of Avon Lake, paced by three tries from Bryce Morris, moved them to 3-0 in the Ohio School league (which is a level below the Varsity league).

The South

The Charlotte Cardinals won big over the Raleigh Redhawks and staked more clearly their claim that they are the strongest team in North Carolina.

Lots of Cardinals claimed to have prom dates this weekend so it was a fairly young Charlotte side that took the field. Ffreshmen Max Colson replaced older brother Zach at flyhalf and Zane Schumacher replaced his older brother, Jake, and both showed well. was 9-for-10 on conversions and was player of the game, while Schumacher was busy all game and looked very much at home on the wing.

Freshman Evan Culicerto continued his fine season with strong carries and a well-taken score, and junior scrumhalf Porter Kubler bagged two tries. He also distated play nicely with his excellent decisions with both ball in hand and accurate tactical kicking. This ensured that the Cardinals dominated territory and possession.

At halftime, Cardinals rang the changes but the pace did not drop as replacement scrumhalf Ethan Hutwitz fizzed his passes out to hungry forwards including hard running Finlay Costello, Scott Johnson, Thompson Patrick, and Alex Martinez.

The Cardinals forwards continued their dominance with a further four tries coming in the second half and notable contributions from sophomore loose forwards Aidan O Connor and JJ A Hoy, while and in the backs Rory Nealon impressed.

The Cardinals now turn their attention to the Gonzaga Invitational.

Okapi was 71-0 over Boca to finish the regular Florida season undefeated.

Brother Martin played White State from Tennessee and pulled off an impressive 50-15 win for their third in a row.

Arizona and West

Tempe beat Scotssdale 29-20. That now sets up the state final with Red Mountain on April 26.

We'll have more on the California results later on.

Heartland Derby

St. Thomas Aquinas and the Kansas City Jr. Blues renewed their acquaintanceship with a classic clash.

"It was an old-school derby match," said STA Head Coach Tim Kluempers.

Playing with the stiff breeze Aquinas ran out to a 21-10 lead. But against the wind, they had difficulty. They failed to score a try while KC scored two, but STA did get a crucial penalty goal to secure the win.

Player of the game was Nathan Dreiling, the St. Thomas Aquinas hooker who executed his lineout throws well despite the wind, giving STA an attacking platform.