GRR: St. Augustine
Undefeated Saint Augustine is set to take on San Clemente in the SCIRF final, and a big part of that is Aidan Konja.
The skillful scrumhalf was the player of the game in the Saints’ recent win over Cathedral, really their last major test before the final.
Two close games were all we needed to see this week in the SCIRF league in Southern California, as Cathedral Catholic and St. Augustine both won tight games.
St. Augustine moved to 4-0 with a 31-24 defeat of Torrey Pines. the Saints started well, with forwards Isaac Morrill and Michael Colucci helping set the platform for a potent attacking group.
Returning SCIRF league finalist Saint Augustine will take the pitch for their first regular season game this Saturday when they face La Costa Canyon at 2pm.
The Saints, which ended the season ranked #17 by Goff Rugby Report / FloRugby, return 15 seniors from a team that finished undefeated in regular season before getting upended by St. John Bosco in the final.
St. Augustine and the Union County Mudturtles secured Rugby New Jersey state titles over the weekend.
Led by a player-of-the-game performance from Andrew Whiteman, the Hermits battled in a tight game with Delbarton. Delbarton led 12-7 at halftime but St. Augustine came back, tied it 12-12 through a try from John Lawson, and then Whiteman scored the game-winner.
Paced by some strong work from lock Cole Taft, hooker Jon Puckett, and center Erich Storti, De La Salle edged St. Augustine in the All-California Single-School 3rd/4th match Saturday.