East High School has won the Rugby Colorado state championship, defeating upstart Legend 36-5 in the final.

Legend, which came into the playoffs as the #4 seed, upset PAC, playing an aggressive and hard-nosed style of rugby to get to the final. East, meanwhile, beat the Colorado Springs Falcons 33-14 to make the championship match behind the work of their deep three Cole Younoszai (fullback), Peter Fronczak (wing), and Conner McMeel (wing).

The Falcons put those three under intense pressure and they responded well. Inside center Garrett Mortimer was also instrumental in that win.

In the final this weekend, East just stuck to their pattern and didn't allow Legend's in-your-face approach shake them. Outside center Darius Yavala was excellent, but everything started and ended with captain and prop forward Jon Wilson. The first junior captain East has had in many years, Wilson gets a ton of work done around the field.

"He is a very good player and all his teammates respect him," said Head Coach Bill Baer. "And like all good captains he puts the team first. I enjoy working with him and he has my total respect." 

As for the championship, Baer said he saw improvement through the season.

"The coaching staff is really proud of this team," said Baer. "Given the pandemic we got off to a slow start, but within the last month they have really come together."