Just as expected, BC High vs Xaverian Bros came down to the wire.
On a rainy day at Curry College, the two sides waged a physical battle defined by discipline and defense.
From the opening whistle, it was clear the weather would be a factor. Slick conditions turned the ball into a greased watermelon, but both teams opened with impressive composure.
BC High struck first, with Charlie Thomison slotting a short penalty ten minutes in. Soon after, Thomison—a clever and decisive runner—broke the line off a set piece and galloped to the five-meter line, where quick ball and clinical support set up flanker Cillian O’Callaghan in the corner. The conversion missed, but the Eagles took an 8-0 lead into halftime.
Xaverian had plenty of chances in the first half, but BC High’s defense was superb. The Eagles stayed connected, stuck their tackles, and absorbed waves of brutal carries from a physically imposing Xaverian crew.
Side note: Xaverian reminds me of Belmont Shore or LCA—big, bruising, relentless. But the Eagles didn't give them space to operate.
The second half opened with both teams struggling to handle the ball cleanly—fatigue setting in, rain still falling, and the ball growing slipperier by the minute. Knock-ons crept in on both sides. But BC High found their rhythm again, gained territory, and eventually cashed in. With 17 minutes left, hooker Max Ford spotted a seam and dove over off a crisp feed from scrumhalf Braxton Blind—stretching the lead to 13-0.
But it never felt like the game was over, and Xaverian wasn’t done.
With four minutes to go, Xaverian flyhalf Luke Bell—banged up and clearly in pain—delivered a moment of brilliance. After a grubber behind the line, Bell gathered the ball on a second touch and scored, then added the conversion to cut the lead to 13-7.
The final 3 minutes were intense. Xaverian recovered the restart and had one last shot—pounding the gain line ferociously. But once again, BC High’s defense stood tall. A loose Xaverian pass was pounced on, and the Eagles iced it from there.
Several phases of hard carries. Ball booted into touch. Final whistle.
Final: BC High 13, Xaverian 7
Congratulations to BC High—Massachusetts MIAA State Champs! 🏆
"Our preparation for this match was outstanding, as we focused on defense and support at the breakdown all week. We've played some wet games this season against some physical teams, so we knew we had this type of defensive performance within us.
This has been a special team: a group of players that cared about character and culture as much as results. They have left the BC High jersey in a better place."
BC High. MIAA State Champs
Credit: BC High
Quick hits 👊
Xaverian ran nearly every scrum weakside with their 8-man, but BC was ready for it. The flankers earned their keep today.
The Xaverian Bros used a two-man lineout nearly every time they threw the ball in. You don’t see that too often.
BC High’s box kick game was solid, though it felt a little risky with Xaverian’s powerful runners lurking in the background. Credit to BC’s disciplined kick-chase for keeping the counterattack in check.
The breakdown was a war zone—violent counter-rucks and slippery conditions led to more than a few turnovers.
This was one of my favorite games to watch this season. It wasn’t a high scoring affair, but the defense displayed by both teams was truly terrific. Goal-line stands on both sides gave you chills.
Both of these teams would’ve held their own at Nationals this year.