MILTON — When BC High and Xaverian boys’ rugby met for the first time this season, a 31-31 draw on May 10, Xaverian coach Mike Sullivan said it was the best high school rugby game he’s ever been a part of.
Part 2 on Saturday might have been even better.
At one point, both teams scored three unanswered tries in a back-and-forth bout at Curry College in the Division 1 state final. It came down to the final play, where a furious Xaverian comeback in the final minutes ended just short in a 40-38 BC High victory that gave the Eagles their fourth MIAA championship.
Junior captain prop Mikey Smith (2 tries) and senior fly-half Gavin McNicholl (5 for 6 on conversion kicks) shined for the Eagles. Junior captain Luke Bell (4 for 6 conversions) led Xaverian (4-3-1) with two tries.
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Both teams scored six times, making McNicholl’s extra conversion the difference.
“He’s the best No. 10 in the state, probably the Northeast,” Smith said of McNicholl. “Can’t get a better guy than him.”
Senior Greg Matthews, freshman Colton Blind, and juniors Owen Hurley and Conrad Babka each scored a try for the Eagles (6-0-1), who trailed 24-19 early in the second half before erupting for 21 straight points to secure the title after falling in the final two seasons ago.
“I remember that,” said McNicholl, then a sophomore on the team. “I just kept a mental image of that every time I go to the gym, every time I show up to practice. So winning, it’s surreal.”
For the Eagles, who were in close contact with program legends of the past throughout the season, it’s a return to the top of the mountain in their 28th season.
“The message was, you’re part of a legacy,” BC High coach Paul Carty said, “but this is your chapter.”
Consider the chapter written.
Sam Robb O'Hagan can be reached at sam.robbohagan@globe.com. Follow him on X @samrobbohagan and on Instagram @samrobbohagan.