With their flyhalf and goalkicker, Colbin Larson, in the sin bin in overtime of the Idaho Boys state championship game, Boise’s Capital HS had to turn to a third-string flanker named Lennin Rodriguez.

Put in late as a sub, Rodriguez has a prodigious boot, but one that is a little difficult to control. With the game on a knife edge at 17-17, Capital got a penalty 40 meters out, and asked young Rodriguez to take a shot at goal. The flanker booted the ball over, with space to spare, and won the championship for his team.

It was, of course, a team effort in a very physical and combative game between Capital and defending champs Mountain View. Led by hooker Brayden Ball the Capital forwards did enough to hold against a much larger Mountain View pack. The game saw its share of penalties - for killing the ball, and other infractions. Mountain View got two yellow cards in the first half, and Capital ended regulation down to 13 players.

But they were in it. Thanks in part to Larson, who grubbered through and chased to set up one try, and kicked two conversions and a penalty, And their defense, too, as three times Capital mounted a goal line stand that ended with a turnover to Capital.

The two teams were tied 17-17 at the end of regulation. Then came overtime, the need to bring on Rodriguez, and his kicking.

Still, it wasn’t over. Mountain View had an attacking chance, and with very little time left, got a kickable penalty in Capital territory. They opted to go for the win, and Capital’s defense held.

“It was a heck of a game,” said Capital Head Coach Matt Jacobsen. “It was a dogfight the whole way. Hamish Bell is doing a heck of a job at Mountain View, and we just held on.”

Mountain View 17

Tries: Blake Maculley, Kyle Brassfield

Convs: Cody Hersey 2

Pens: Hersey

Capital 20

Tries: Cedar Sherburn, Mason Wray

Convs: Colbin Larson 2

Pens: Larson, Lennin Rodriguez