The USA South Panthers Team 2 took fifth at the Rugby Americas North U19 Championships, defeating Jamaica 57-3 in the consolation final in Mirimar, FL, on Friday.

The Panthers 2 team, which was put together in relatively short order after another team had to pull out, showcased some impressive play with a mostly high school roster. In its last two games, the Panthers 2 team scored 100 points combined. The squad's only loss was a 19-17 loss to Mexico, which faces USA South 1 on Saturday in the championship game.



As for the USA South 1 team, those Panthers have done just fine despite a few iffy moments at set piece.

"Scrums were pretty solid but definitely we had some lineout questions that need to be fixed," program director Mark Williams said.

But what really needs to be fixed is team health. The opening game against Jamaica was a difficult one, and some high tackles went unpunished from the officials. Andrew Rappe broke his collarbone in the first few minutes, and his tournament was done almost before it started. Jamaica also suffered a worrying injury early on in the game.



The result of the issues was that several South backs were nursing some knocks, and because of that some of those players were rested for the Panthers' 54-0 semifinal win against Bermuda. So while Malcolm Easley, Diego Haro, and Calvin Gentry were begging to get onto the field, they were given time off, instead.

"The young guys came through, and they maintained the defensive structure and were very good over the ball," Williams said. "And we'll need to maintain that for Saturday against Mexico."

Despite how well the starters played in the semfinal, Williams has made a couple of changes, which he doesn't think will change the team's unity of purpose.

"Overall the guys have really come together," Williams said. "There are a lot of all-stars in there, but they're all willing to do whatever it takes as a team. With only 21 guys, they're going to have too."

The squad is down to 21 because Rappe is out, and Logan Butler was red-carded against Bermuda and has a suspension. Williams has brought Gentry back into the starting lineup at outside center, moving Zach Rademacher, the No. 13 against Bermuda, to the wing (where Butler started in the semifinal). Easley, who is still nursing a deep bruise, remains a reserve, while Haro comes in for Jaycob Forrester at scrumhalf.

The final kicks off at 4 PM ET on Saturday.

USA South 1 Roster For RAN U19 Final

Pos.	First Name	Last Name
1	Muhammad	Abdullah
2	George	Sharpe
3	Mark	Spicer
4	Maxwell	Dacey
5	Campbell	Robinson
6	Justin	Johnson
7	Cameron	Tompkins
8	Jack	Freixa
9	Diego	Haro
10	Shea	O'Hanlon	Captain
11	Oliver	Kennett
12	Marcelo	Gutierrez
13	Calvin	Gentry
14	Zach	Rademacher
15	Nikolas	Koumandarakis
	Reserves
16	Joshua	Zamudio
17	Cameron	Tibbetts
18	Gabriel	Kettering
19	Joshua	Bryant
20	Jaycob	Forrester
21	Malcom	Easley

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