The Midwest High School Championship has confirmed its championship, open and JV brackets, bringing 18 sides together to Elkhart, Ind., on April 30-May 1. Seven teams in attendance will be competing in the single-school national championship, so this fixture will be the premier influence for seeding Midwest teams.
The championship bracket is led by Wisconsin champion Catholic Memorial and longtime Midwest title-holder Divine Savior Holy Angels. Both contest their league season in the fall and have won a couple of convincing friendlies in preparation of the regional tournament. The duo are regulars at high school nationals, as is St. Joseph Academy. The Ohio champion finished within a try of the Dashers last year and gets extra state representation from Hudson, which recently committed to nationals.
While Indiana champion North Central is absent, Warsaw has made an early statement that it’s contending for the state title this year and pumps up the lineup. Penn high school is traditionally a final four team in Indiana’s post-season and both teams are heading to single-school nationals.
The Midwest championship marks the highest level of play that Illinois state champion Plainfield and Minnesota state champion Armstrong will play this year, as they’re not attending (high school club) nationals. Plainfield played its first league game last weekend – a 71-5 victory over Chillicothe – but warmed up for the season at the Border Battle, along with Armstrong. The pair actually played each other on day one, with Armstrong winning 42-5. The Minnesota side opened up its league season with a 24-17 loss to Hopkins.
The six-team open division includes Amherst (Ohio), Brookfield (Wis.), Fond du Lac (Wis.), Lakewood (Ohio), Pulaski (Wis.) and Oak Creek (Wis.), which will be looking toward the DII single-school nationals. Divine Savior Holy Angels, Lakewood, Plainfield and St. Joseph will contribute sides to the JV division.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 30
Quarterfinals
#1 10 a.m. Catholic Memorial* vs. Penn*
#2 10 a.m. Armstrong vs. Warsaw*
#3 11 a.m. Divine Savior* vs. Hudson*
#4 11 a.m. Plainfield vs. St. Joseph*
*attending single-school nationals
Cup Semifinals
#5 2 p.m. Winner #1 vs. Winner #2
#6 3 p.m. Winner #3 vs. Winner #4
5th Place Semifinals
#7 2 p.m. Loser #1 vs. Loser #2
#8 3 p.m. Loser #3 vs. Loser #4
Sunday, May 1
#9 12 p.m. 7th Place: Loser #7 vs. Loser #8
#10 12 p.m. 5th Place: Winner #7 vs. Winner #8
#11 12 p.m. 3rd Place: Loser #5 vs. Loser #6
#12 2 p.m. Championship: Winner #5 vs. Winner #6
For more information, visit www.midwestyouthrugby.com.