100th win one to savor, but for BC High rugby coach Paul Carty, growing the game is the vision

Sport admin May 15, 2026 0 Comments

100th win one to savor, but for BC High rugby coach Paul Carty, growing the game is the vision

Rugby was not an MIAA-sanctioned sport until 2017, though BC High first fielded a team in 1996. Hired as coach in 2013, Paul Carty earned his 100th career win with Thursday’s 34-5 win over visiting Belmont.

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“We talk a lot about what kind of meaning we put into the jersey when they put it on, representing the school and the team both on the field and off,” said Carty, who played rugby at Boston College (’02). “The victories are nice, but it’s really the reflection of being around such amazing kids.”

An assistant coach for three years prior, Carty took the helm of a program that has now won five Division 1 state titles in nine years. The Eagles are coming off back-to-back championships.

Chasing a third consecutive title, BC High is led by 8-man Michael Conley, who leads the team in tries and is committed to Fordham. Colton Blind and Marcus Pinto serve as the team’s primary centers and specialize in creating scoring opportunities for their teammates.

Currently, there are just seven boys’ teams in Division 1 and 11 in Division 2 for the MIAA. The four top-ranked teams will qualify for the Division 1 tournament, and with a 4-0 record, the Eagles are aiming to make it a three-peat.

Alongside the annual pursuit of championships, the Massachusetts rugby community has a shared goal of continuing to grow the sport statewide.

“What I’ve really enjoyed is getting to know other coaches and other schools,” Carty said. “Both competing, but also discussing how we help this great game grow and get off the ground: how do we get more schools involved, more kids involved?”

“We all kind of view ourselves as partners in trying to help grow this game.”