With another state title, rugby took BC High senior Mikey Smith to places he never imagined
MILTON — When Mikey Smith first joined the BC High rugby team, his goal was to improve his skills for the football season.
He had no idea where rugby would take him.
Four years later, Smith now graduates as a two-time state champion. He'll continue to play the sport at United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, along with teammates Brennan and Braxton Blind.
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'I've got to go to South America and play,' said Smith. 'I've got to play with some incredible people, learn from incredible coaches. I'm so grateful for the game, it's opened so many doors for me.'
On Saturday, June 14, at Curry College, Smith helped lead the Eagles past Xaverian, 13-7, in the Division 1 state championship. The Eagles own a state-record five titles since it became an MIAA sport in 2017.
For Smith and rugby, it was not love at first sight.
'It didn't immediately click,' said Smith, who also became a Patriot Ledger Football All-Scholastic as a center and defensive end. 'I really only joined it to get better at football, I feel like that's a lot of people's start. I really didn't enjoy it until the first game. Then after the first game, that's when (I was like), 'Yeah, this is for me.''
Battling the conditions
On Saturday, the Eagles battled through damp conditions and a tense few final minutes to hold off rival Xaverian to retain the state championship. BC High also defeated the Hawks in a 40-38 thriller for last year's state title and won a 36-35 contest on April 30 this season.
Boston College High School's captain Mike Smith holds the trophy as he celebrates with teammates at the conclusion of their state championship game against Xaverian Brothers High School at Curry College on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Trailing 13-0, Xaverian finally broke through with two minutes remaining on a try from captain Luke Bell. A conversion kick from Benjamin Kramer cut the deficit to 13-7.
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But the Eagles held on to raise the trophy.
'Whether we win by 1 point or 100, it doesn't matter, we've just got to find that one extra gear,' said BC High coach Paul Carty. 'The defense stepped up today, which was awesome.'
The Eagles came in averaging nearly 57 points per game, including a 68-14 win over three-time defending Div. 2 champ Weymouth in the semifinals. Saturday's weather pushed the final in a more defensive direction.
'Maybe not the style we most want to play, but I think these guys would play in a volcano, a hurricane or a tornado,' said Carty. 'They love each other and they love playing.'
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More: 'Dream come true': BC High rugby brothers follow in father's footsteps, commit to West Point
More: FOLLOW LIVE: MIAA high school boys and girls rugby state championships
BC High scored first when senior Charlie Thomison converted a penalty kick to put the Eagles up 3-0.
'He looks like a horse galloping through the field,' said Carty of Thomison. 'He doesn't swerve or cut. He just goes. He's become a lot more of a leader this year.'
'It feels better than the first time,' said Thomison of repeating as state champions.
Freshman Cillian O'Callaghan pushed the Eagles' lead to 8-0 on a try with 21 minutes remaining in the first half. Max Ford tacked on a try in the second half to push the lead to 13-0.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: BC High defeats Xaverian in MIAA Division 1 rugby state championship
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