Weather Permitting It's a Big Weekend in HS Warm-Weather States

01.29.2026HS Boys

Brother Martin is back at it. Dmitriy Pritykin.

Author: Alex Goff

The weather is a major concern this week as super-cold weather smacks a good chunk of the USA.

While many of you that live new the Great Lakes or in the Northern Great Plains are all saying “yeah, yeah, so what’s new?” remember that those in warmer states don’t have the infrastructure or the equipment to handle a major cold front.

Ice is bad. Snow is bad. Just really cold weather is bad.

Florida

Saturday looks to be the beginning of cold weather in Florida. The hope is that the High School games in the Sunshine State will be able to be played before things freeze solid.

Jacksonville and Wellington, who both lost last week, will meet up in the southern part of the state, and both are looking to get back on a winning track.

Boca Juniors and Key Biscayne played two weeks ago with a close win for Boca. Now the Juniors host the Rats Saturday morning. Weather-wise they should be fine.

“This is still one of our toughest rivalries,” said Boca Head Coach Chris Vassel. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Boca has an extensive and intelligent coaching setup and the players are responding.

The Boca back row of Robert Perham, Caden Salorzano, and Erik Dacosta has been very effective, while Liam Ishizaki has been a monster at center.

South Carolina

For the second weekend in a row the South Carolina shortened-game jamborees are canceled due to weather.

However, Wando and Oceanside will sneak in a game before the Icenator lands, playing Friday night.

The game we are more worried about it Sunday’s Okapi at Tampa. That might be a bit more affected by weather. Okapi won big over Jacksonville last week. Captain and No. 8 Juan Codoni led the way and his fellow forwards controlled much of the game. Then when space opened up flyhalf Joaco Rodriguez, fullback Jose Giuliani, and wing Felipe Rodriguez were able to capitalize.

North Carolina

Saturday sees the North Carolina School-league hit is semifinal. Charlotte Catholic is undefeated and faces South Charlotte. Yes Catholic barely won against Huskies last week, but they were also without a couple of players, and should be a bit healthier this week.

Huskies lost twice this season, 14-12 to Charlotte Catholic and 14-12 to Marvin Ridge. They play Ridge this week in a rematch. This game is expected to be close again.

That is is Mother Nature cooperates. The forecast for the Charlotte area is for a high of 25 and snow. If they can get those games in before it gets really bad, that would be good.

Last week’s Texas action was all called off because of snow and ice. This weekend it’s chilly, but sunny, which should be fine.

Keep an eye on Four Points vs Barbarians, which could be an important decider on who might be a HS club that chases The Woodlands. The Woodlands is at Rock Rugby in Round Rock (near Austin).

For the school teams, e’re got six games on the slate. We get out first look at St. Thomas, who should be strong this year. Celina was a breakout team last year and they take on the burgeoning Faith Family Academy. We get our first looks at Strake Jesuit, Lake Travis, and Allen, too.

Southern California

All eyes should be on Cathedral Catholic at La Costa Canyon. LCC has the skill and the physicality to overcome what is a very good Cathedral Catholic team—they lost to Torrey Pines 21-15 on January 10, which is comparable to Cathedral’s loss to the same Falcons team.

That was, however, a somewhat banged up Cathedral team.

The game will be live on TVX’s youtube channel.

Northern California

Two games in the Single-School Open Division, but they are good ones.

Jesuit of Sacramento opens up what could be a very good season for them as they host St. Ignatius of San Francisco.

And upstarts Rio Americano face off against the always impressive De La Salle.

In D1, Bishop O’Dowd is at Cardinal Newman while Acalanes Dons are at Bellarmine Prep.
The single-school league in Northern California is definitely gaining traction and we’re seeing that with new programs.

Louisiana

St. Paul and New Orleans Jesuit both have suffered losses at the hands of Brother Martin. This is a big game for both as a result. Brother Martin is set to play East Jefferson and are favored.