While it's true that Gonzaga College (DC) High School has won the last three Boys High School Rugby National Championships, the Eagles do not come in as as the favorites at this year's tournament, which runs from Thursday to Saturday in Kansas City, MO.

Gonzaga, after all, has lost a few games. Sure, the Eagles were close in losses against excellent opposition, but they have also shown some vulnerability after graduating a group of outstanding players who went right into starting for their college teams.

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Meanwhile, Sacramento (CA) Jesuit has enjoyed a dominant season and sits atop the Goff Rugby Report rankings as the No. 1 single-school team after beating Santa Monica, Peninsula Green, Beaverton, CK McClatchy, Danville, and Granite Bay.

Here is a look at each matchup in the single-school bracket:

Jesuit (CA) vs. Fishers (IN)

We like Fishers. The Tigers have emerged as true players in Indiana and could, some day, win a state title. But this is a bit too far too fast for them. Jesuit has played at this level before, knows how playoff rugby works, and has the tools to win.

Xavier (NY) vs. Herriman (Utah)

This matchup promises to be really, really close. Xavier seems to go into overtime or play super tight matches every year, and this will be a barn burner. Herriman is fresh off an excellent performance in winning Utah. Xavier has been among the top school teams in the country for over 30 years.

Penn (IN) vs. Greenwich (CT)

The Indiana-based Penn team is on an upswing. This season's Kingsmen look as solid as any incarnation in the last several years, and they just beat St. Ignatius (which was ranked No. 1 at the time). Greenwich is exciting and skilled but lost to Xavier and will need everything to go to hand in order to win this matchup.

St. Edward (Ohio) vs. Gonzaga (DC)

St. Edward had a few more piece of the puzzle last year but has been building to something. The Eagles are physical and healthy. Gonzaga has been building to something, too, and accepted losses to Fort Hunt, Doylestown, and three overseas teams as all part of the learning process. Since then, its schedule has remained challenging (St. Ignatius, Xavier, KC Jr. Blues), and Gonzaga has been winning.

So that sets up our predictions for the semifinals:

Jesuit vs. Xavier or Herriman (we can't decide)
Penn vs. Gonzaga

In the consolation bracket, it will be:

Fishers vs. Xavier or Herriman
Greenwich vs. St. Edward

Who wins? Jesuit looks to be favored, and the key here is depth. Jesuit and Gonzaga could well rest a chunk of their rosters on Thursday and come in fresh for Friday. Few teams can do that, and this is a three-day, three-game grind. If Gonzaga can get by Penn, then it's going to be like it was the last few years -- a tight battle that the Eagles will be in good position to win.

Jesuit has depth too, though, and we're picking the Californians by a hair. And a caution -- don't count out Penn.

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