Hey there, Rugger!
👊 Happy Friday.
We’re splitting the newsletter into two parts this week.
Why?
Because we want to see how the first day down in Houston goes—and give our take for ya. It’s not every day you get national college clashes on a Friday, and the slate is loaded with intrigue.
So hang tight.
Check your inbox tomorrow for part 2.
👋Yoohoo…
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Don’t miss out.
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🏟️NCR Playoff Rugby — Houston!
Friday
D3—Semifinals
Slippery Rock vs New Mexico Tech
🗓️Dec 12th, 1pm EST
🏟️Sabercats Stadium—Houston, TX
📺 Streaming here.
Franciscan vs Holy Cross
🗓️Dec 12th, 5pm EST
🏟️Sabercats Stadium—Houston, TX
📺 Streaming here.
D2—Semifinals
Grand Valley State vs Chicago
🗓️Dec 12th, 3pm EST
🏟️Sabercats Stadium—Houston, TX
📺 Streaming here.
Vermont vs UNC Wilmington
🗓️Dec 12th, 7pm EST
🏟️Sabercats Stadium—Houston, TX
📺 Streaming here.
Saturday
St. Bonaventure vs Queens
🏆D1 FINAL
🗓️Dec 13th, 6pm EST
🏟️Sabercats Stadium—Houston, TX
📺 Streaming here.
Tennessee vs Bowling Green
🏆D1-AA FINAL
🗓️Dec 13th, 1pm EST
🏟️Sabercats Stadium—Houston, TX
📺 Streaming here.
Texas Tech vs Fairfield
🏆Lonestar Bowl
🗓️Dec 13th, 3:30pm EST
🏟️Sabercats Stadium—Houston, TX
📺 Streaming here.
Quick question for you 👇
Which Houston matchup are you most locked into?
High School Boys
🔥North Carolina
Week one saw lopsided results across the board.
Charlotte Catholic whacked Clayton.
Hough walloped South Charlotte.
Marvin Ridge defeated Ardrey Kell.
Notably missing from the festivities were the reigning state champs, South Meck.
That changes tonight when they face off against Hough at 6pm EST.
This should be an excellent matchup.
Remember last year, when South Meck shocked Hough in the semifinal with a last-gasp score that ended Hough’s playoff run?
Yeah, I bet Hough remembers that too.
Stay tuned. 👀
🌞SoCal
League games don’t start yet—and there’s still some schedule-wrangling happening in the background. But SoCal does in fact have a couple interesting matches this weekend:
Cathedral Catholic vs La Costa Canyon—Dec 13
Last time these two met, Spencer Huntley made huge plays that helped guide Cathedral to the SCIRF title. Well, Huntley is gone, playing in the UK now as a freshman for Hartpury. Someone (everyone?) needs to fill his shoes. LCC is physical as hell, and they’re typically good at forcing battles in the middle of the field—where their big bruisers can wear you down.
Sure, it’s technically a preseason game, but we’re still stoked to see how these two teams look for the first time this season.Mira Costa vs St. Augustine— Dec 13
Another cross-league matchup. Mira Costa looked very good for spells of last season, dispatching several opponents by wide margins early in the year. Not on that list, however, was St. Augustine—who defeated Mira Costa 47-14 in March.
Can Mira Costa get a hot start again this year? And how will St. Augustine look as they prepare for a brutal schedule in the new Premier League?
Check back tomorrow!
We’ll be recapping some of the NCR action down in Houston.
Plus we’ll circle back on tonight’s high school boys’ games.
If you like this, share it with your friends!
Be well, ruck with gusto, and may your compression shorts always stay in place.
-The Rugby Riot Team