Rugby enters the back stretch of the season as the top seed in both the Louisiana Cup and the Varsity Cup (Texas). With an overall league record of 7–1, the Jays have posted 267 points while allowing only 70.

This past weekend, the squad navigated a challenging doubleheader. In the first match, they faced the HCYA Raptors in a Varsity Cup league game. Despite many players unavailable due to injury, retreats, college visits, and other commitments, the Jays fielded two competitive sides. A young, inexperienced squad took the field, with freshman Jackson Cashio, making his first varsity appearance, displaying nimble footwork to break through the Raptors’ defense for the opening try. Senior blind flanker and captain Frank Finicle then powered his way through for the second try, and senior prop Ian Miranda added a hard-fought effort for the third. HCYA rallied with three successive scores, briefly pulling the lead to 19–17. However, the Jays introduced fresh legs that sparked a comeback, as they scored five consecutive tries. Senior halfback Jonah Ory contributed two of these, including a scintillating 70‐meter run that began with a rapid shake-and-bake past three defenders and saw him outpace two others. Junior center Tucker Graham and senior utility forward Carter Kennedy each scored, finalizing a 43–19 victory.

Minutes later, a second Blue Jay squad took on the East Jefferson Warriors, who were eager to avenge two defeats from last season. The Warriors’ quest for redemption was cut short as senior wing Adnan Odeh raced down the field for two quick tries. Finicle added his second try of the afternoon, and senior hooker James Cangelosi followed with a deft pic’n’go to the line. Graham combined power with pace to notch two more scores. Senior eight-man Evan Couillard and sophomore hooker Pete Scalise each found the crease, while Ory starred by scoring two tries. Ory’s remarkable performance included four tries in just 60 minutes—having played only the final 15 minutes against HCYA and the first 45 minutes against East Jefferson.

Next up, the Jays will face Jesuit Strake (Houston) at Strake on March 29 in their final Varsity Cup league match.