Happy New Year to all of my (many?) loyal readers out there. I hope 2014 has been good to you so far and that you players out there didn't put on too many pounds over the holiday break.

The year got off to a rough start for me as I somehow didn't realize there was a D2 game last week between Jax and Daytona, with Jax coming out on top. This is what happens when you have a date in your head (this Saturday) for all the chaos to begin, and then someone goes and moves a game and I miss it. Ah well, life must go on.

A ton of action for all of you rugby nuts this Saturday, including a great D3 matchup in Palm Beach County and a couple of interesting D2 contests. As we all know, some programs have a history of not getting things going until the new year, while some started hot in the fall and it remains to be seen if they can keep that going here in January.

Men's D2 State Championship

Jacksonville (1-1) at Tampa Krewe (1-2) - This game might not seem like an important matchup, but these are two teams who haven't got off to the best start this season and know that another couple of defeats would likely mean a lost season. Jax didn't start their campaign until early December and were handily defeated at home by Boca before bouncing back last week with a 36-26 win over winless Daytona. Krewe, meanwhile, lost their first two games to Naples and Tridents, but edged Fort Lauderdale by two points last time out. Krewe aren't the power they used to be, but I can see them pulling out the win here, narrowly. Krewe 25, Jacksonville 22

Miami RFC (2-0) at Fort Lauderdale (1-1) - The Bumblebees are the only remaining undefeated team in Florida D2 play, and will face a stern test here against a Knights squad that impressed in a victory over Boca back in November and just barely lost to Krewe on the road. Miami destroyed Naples and also beat the Buccaneers to pick up two early victories, which is two more than they had all of last year. This will be another tight affair, with Miami improving to 3-0. Miami 30, Fort Lauderdale 24

Orlando (1-1) at Boca Raton (2-2) - I have a feeling this will be the most lopsided result of the weekend. Orlando were crushed at home by the Tridents and then managed to handle Daytona on the road, but Boca has been playing a lot better of late after losing their first two games and will be looking to make a statement to the rest of the league early in 2014 that they are back on track. Orlando has some talent, but not enough to worry the Bucs. Boca Raton 35, Orlando 13

Daytona (0-3) at Miami Tridents (2-1) - This is another game with the potential for a rout, and it really all depends on how Daytona travel and if the Tridents aren't rusty after the break. The Coconuts have kept things close in two of their three losses, but the Tridents will be the best team they've faced so far, having only played Orlando, Naples and Jacksonville. I like the home team to roll in this one. Miami Tridents 30, Daytona 10

Men's D3 State Championship

Brevard (0-0) at Palm Beach (0-0) - Man, it's a shame this matchup of two of the best D3 sides in the South has to be the first one of the season, but sometimes that's the way it happens. Last season, these two sides played a great contest, with the Panthers coming out on top 33-29, and both squads advanced to the South playoffs. The Panthers should be able to win this one at home in what could be the game of the weekend. Palm Beach 38, Brevard 31

Pelicans (0-0) at Boca Raton (0-0) - Toss a coin with this one, let's be honest. The Pelis drop down to D3 after a poor few years struggling in D2, while Boca apparently has the numbers to field two sides at the current time. Give the Bucs credit for that, but I think the Pelicans will be energized with this move down a division and will come across to teach the Boca second team a thing or two. Pelicans 28, Boca Raton 8

Last Week (11/23/13 and 12/7): 3-1
Season: 7-4
All-Time: 56-22 (71.8%)