Michigan and Wisconsin High School Fifteens Rugby Thriving

Rockford High School remains dominant force in Michigan while Wisconsin League expands.

Missouri and Pennsylvania are some of the states that offer fall 7s season for girls. /

By Priscilla Jepchumba

High school fifteen-a-side rugby playing is on the rise in Michigan and Wisconsin. In Michigan, Rockford High School is still dominating the scene, and the Wisconsin league now has ten teams, playing in two conferences.

In Wisconsin, competition is quite hectic, but the results and standings are always available on time. Both Rockford High School in Michigan and Warsaw High School did well, while the latter trounced Grandville. Warsaw beat Grandville 37-7.

Speaking of Wisconsin, Catholic Memorial and Hamilton have secured recent matches, and the state championship will take place on October 27th. Further, the level of competitiveness of the states for the fall 7s games varies.

Idaho and Iowa have developmentally appropriate school district-sponsored sevenths for girls' high school teams, and the championships in the two regions will be held in October. There is the traditional single-school 7s event and high school club 7s seasons in Colorado, with different champions for each.

Missouri and Pennsylvania are some of the states that offer fall 7s season for girls. Missouri conducts its state championship in October while Pennsylvania in November. Irish Ruggerfest held at Father Ryan was the first competition as soccer season for many teams in Tennessee; other competitions and scrimmages also occurred in the state.

The two-day Irish Ruggerfest at Father Ryan was the season opener for many Middle Tennessee teams, drawing in teams from Georgia as well. In the Memphis area, MICR teams are scrimmaging, and games are taking place during the week. The state 7s championship is on Nov. 2. UT 7s and a 15s tournament are also upcoming events.

Iowa kicked off its girls’ high school 7s season with four teams going 2-0. Colorado has separate single-school and high-school club 7s seasons, with teams crossing over at friendly tournaments. Tennessee's Middle Tennessee teams opened their season at the Irish Ruggerfest.

Missouri provides a fall 7s season for its girls’ high school teams. Pennsylvania hosted the first round of its fall 7s series, with Doylestown going undefeated.