GRR: Carlsbad
As always the Storer Classic provides some important preseason rugby for teams in the West, and this year did not disappoint.
There were several solid showings with SOC Raptors, Marin, Carlsbad, and Layton Christian all producing some good results. Atop all of those was Belmont Shore, which ended the weekend 3-0.
Carlsbad won big in their first game of the New Year in the Southern California school league, defeating San Clemente 52-12.
The game itself felt a lot closer than the score might indicate—San Clemente did well to test the Carlsbad defense and did find gaps to exploit.
Southern California HS teams have been testing each other out before the Christmas break to get themselves prepped for the regular season ahead.
That regular season kicks off really soon—the first weekend in January in fact—so there isn't much time for these teams to get themselves up to speed.
The San Diego Mustangs made a bit of a statement win, defeating SoCal rivals Thunder 31-12 Saturday.
San Diego struck early, punishing a Thunder penalty. They kicked to touch, set the maul, and drove over, with prop Matthew Staycer touching down.
San Clemente is atop the Southern California Single-School league after beating San Juan in convincing fashion.