Hey there, Rugby Rioter!
🏉 Welcome! Another week, another batch of rugby madness. Some teams are storming ahead, some are still coming out of hibernation—let’s dive in.
In This Issue
Tip: Keep an eye on the RANKINGS page so you can keep up with scores and trends around the country 🏉
things are heating up…🔥
Spring 15s: 15 days (March 1st - unofficial start of the season for many teams)
Carolina Ruggerfest: 15 days (March 1st -2nd)
Gonzaga Classic: 57 days (April 12th)
Montana Invitational: 71 days (April 26th)
Nationals Tournament: 97 days (May 22nd)
Wanna test your top varsity team this spring? You should attend the Gonzaga Classic (April 12-13) — Here’s the link
🔥Featured Game🔥
Charlotte Catholic vs South Meck
🗓️Sunday, February 16th, 3pm
🏆North Carolina State Final🏆
Months of grinding, countless hours of work—now it all comes down to this. Two fast, physical teams loaded with talent, battling for the title of North Carolina’s best.
The boys are ready. The coaches are ready. And the camera will be rolling.
📺Watch the game here. Kickoff: Sunday 3pm.
Coaches’ quotes:
"I couldn't be happier for this team. Being able to compete for the State Championship a year removed from an 0-7 season is just reward for the hard work each and every player has sacrificed this season.
Win or lose on the scoreboard we have already created a memory that will last a lifetime along with friendships.
We will be ready for what will be an incredible game to end an even more incredible season.”
“Our practice was rained out yesterday, so the boys came to me and said ‘find us any time, any space for practice. We want to work.’
So we’re practicing tonight at 8PM to prepare for the final.
We not only have the will to win, we have the will to prepare to win.”
🏉More games you don’t want to miss 🏉
(this weekend)
Torrey Pines vs Orange Lutheran
Both undefeated. Both top-five in the rankings. Need I say more?
Gregory the Great (PA) vs Fort Hunt (VA)
Both of these teams will play Gonzaga within the next 4 weeks. Let’s see how they deal with each other first.
Okapi (FL) vs Wellington (FL)
How will Okapi respond after last week’s loss? What caliber team is Wellington?
Cathedral Catholic vs Mira Costa
Mira Costa (#13) has only lost one game. Cathedral (#1) hasn’t lost any. SoCal is pretty dang competitive this year…
De La Salle (CA) vs Sacramento Jesuit (CA)
A NorCal showdown with huge implications. DLS just beat St. Francis last week. Sacramento Jesuit edged St. Ignatius SF in a close game. Is the NorCal Hierarchy about to shake into place?
ICYMI 👇
Lukas Lupinski, Charlotte Catholic, leading the charge against Marvin Ridge last week.
Credit: Shel Powell
St. Louis Jets
Location: St. Louis, MO
Head Coach: Lukas Black
Program History: 2 years
Never heard of them? Neither had we. But the St. Louis Jets should be on your radar this year. An up-and-coming HS program, helmed by Head Coach Lukas Black, these guys may only be in their 2nd season, but they finished 4th in the state last year and gave top teams a run for their money.
About the coach: Lukas Black cut his teeth playing rugby in England for a Harlequins academy side before moving to the US to play for Lindenwood University — followed by a stint with the MLR Academy. A series of events brought him back to St. Louis, where he became an assistant coach at SLUH (a prominent HS rugby club) and helped see the team to a state championship. Next — in 2023 — Lukas brought together several schools to form a new team, and the St. Louis Jets were born. Coach Black guided the newly formed Jets boys through a successful first season, earning 4th place in Missouri and finishing with an overall record of 7-8.
🔥Good Signs: In 2024, the Jets played a very close game against 901 Rugby (formerly Germantown), losing by the razor-thin score of 12-5. That’s a notable result—901 is a well-respected club team, ranked in the top 50 by the Goff Report.
What is Coach Black most excited about this year?
“I’m most excited to see some of my younger guys come to the forefront and compete. I graduated about 10 guys last year but have a really good core group of younger guys who are ready to step up.”
🔦Player Spotlight:
Ashton Vannatta | Senior
“Very physical. Very good at tackling. A huge asset for us.”Wyatt Grant | Senior
“He went to New Zealand to train, and I’ve seen incredible progress in him.”Judah Medlen | Sophomore
“Exceptionally fast. Exceptionally aggressive. Very good tackler. Very good ball runner.”Lucas Fauke | Sophomore
“You would never know he’s a sophomore. He’s very physical. He loves the violence of rugby.”
🗓️ Big Upcoming games:
SLUH - Feb. 15th & April 5th
💬 Quote to bank:
We asked Coach Black who they have circled on their schedule this season. Love this answer 👇
“It’s got to be the ex-girlfriend, right?? *laughs*
As long as we beat SLUH, I’m happy.”
Well, they’ll get their first crack at “the ex-girlfriend” this weekend. The Jets take on SLUH in a preseason match this Saturday.
The St. Louis Jets
2024
We’re looking forward to tracking the Jets’ progress in their second season. We’ll keep you updated!
Think you know rugby? Prove it!
Which one of the following statements is TRUE about a quick lineout?
- The ball must be thrown forward to speed up play.
- The player taking the quick throw must wait for the referee to signal before throwing.
- A quick throw-in can only be taken if the ball has not touched another player after going into touch.
- The defending team must be 10 meters back before the quick throw can be taken.
Oddball musings, induced by borderline hypothermia.
🏉 Rhinoplasty: That’s what happens when you charge shnoz-first into an oncoming opponent’s forehead. Been there, done that… twice. (Side note: love that ‘Rhino’ is in the name. Fitting.)
🏉 Leg day is having a moment. Gone are the chicken legs of yesteryear—today’s high school kids look like they could jumpstart a Boeing 747 with those quads.
That’s a wrap, gang!
Next week we’ll have more dope rugby stuff to share with you; scores, highlights, stories, RANKINGS UPDATES… all the goods.
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Be well, ruck with gusto, and may your compression shorts always stay in place.
-The Rugby Riot Team