Can Christendom Repeat? | Goff Rugby Report

11.09.2022

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Christendom’s run to a national Small College championship last year was not a fluke.

Certainly paced by some significant talent and a forward pack that reminded us that the “small” in Small College meant the size of enrollment not the size of the athletes, the Crusaders were a force in 2021.

But the big question is, how do they compare this year?

First off, if we look at the schedules this year’s Christendom team seems to have a slightly tougher round of games. But looking at like opponents it’s difficult to gauge. The 2021 Crusaders slammed VMI in their opening meeting and won by 10 points the second time they met. This year’s VMI looks stronger to be sure as Christendom’s two wins were by three and one point, respectively. Is that also an indication that Christendom is not quite as strong or that VMI is significantly better?

Look also at Virginia. In 2021 Christendom lost to Virginia 29-18, and this year the two teams have played twice, with the Crusaders winning 29-24 and, last weekend in the conference final, 61-25.

So maybe split the difference and say that Christendom is just as good.

In that last win over VMI, on Saturday (they played UVA on Sunday), Christendom stormed back from 34-7 down to win 35-34. Thomas Santschi, Will Kolesar, and John Kennedy all scored tries, all converted by Santschi, to get within six points. With time almost up, Kennedy thundered over the line to make it 34-33. Santschi hit the conversion to win it.

There are some clear parallels between that game and last year’s Small College final. In that game, John Kennedy, a mobile, 6-7 freshman, was paired with his older brother Owen, 6-8, a bit bigger overall, and certainly older. It was Owen who crashed over late in the game to win that one.

So Christendom’s main weapon in tight is different, and yet much the same. He is joined by No. 8 Joe Kokes, who moved from prop where he was an NCR All American last year, and remains a handful.

But perhaps it’s the backs where Christendom is even more dangerous. At flyhalf Santschi has shown himself to be not only talented, but clutch. His midfield of Chris Usher and Matt Westin have completed a second season together and they are seasoned and unified.

Can they repeat with this formula? Head Coach Jim Conrad doesn’t dare talk about that.

“We haven’t looked too far ahead,” Conrad said. “We are still waiting to see who our opponent will be for this weekend’s play-in game. So right now we are focused on our game and what we can improve this week.”

Sound advice, and sounder advice would be to not take this team lightly.

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