Opponent-Specific Game Plan Took Okapi to Title
Opponent-Specific Game Plan Took Okapi to Title
Okapi won their third consecutive Florida state title with a 20-12 defeat of Key Biscayne Saturday.
Key Biscayne beat 33-26 in league play back on February 8. Aside from that the Okapi's White team (Okapi fielded two teams in the league, White and Pink) ran the table. Key Biscayne ended up 7-0 and Okapi 6-1.
After both won semifinals to make the championship match, Okapi was able to garner payback with the 20-12 win.
"We always felt that the game we lost [in February] was due to Okapi mistakes and that if we minimized errors, we would have a big chance of winning," said Okapi Head Coach Juan Orfila. "Our strategy was clear and the guys executed it perfectly: territory and a strong defense will force mistakes that we can take advantage of."
Orfila was pleased with his team's kicking game.
"Flyhalf Joaquin Rodriguez had the perfect game," said Orfila, "and fullback Jose Giuliani made no mistakes." Giuliani aso handled Key Biscayne's kicking game well and his return kicks did well to pin the Rats back in their half.
"On attack we were expecting more aggression from our forwards for this game and the front row had an amazing performance," said Orfila, praising front-rowers Bautista Orfila, Max Allison, Nathan Cox, and reserve Gonzalo Milhao, for leading the charge and constantly breaking the gainline.
"The other aspect was the breakdown," said Orfila. "Locks Ettiene Limby and Alex Remmele doing a terrific job securing the rucks. The backs did a great job putting pressure on the Key Biscayne backs all game."
Jonathan Arteta, Nathan Cox, and Gonzalo Milhao scored tries for Okapi while captain Fcundo Woginger slotted a conversion and a penalty. But the key was how everyone executed the plan to neutralize what Key Biscayne can do.
"We are really proud of what we achieved this season," said Orfila. "With the Pink team also reaching the Semifinals and we gave lots of minutes to almost 45 players, with many debuts."
Okapi's U16s also won their championship, beating Key Biscayne in a close game 14-10. Key Biscayone won the U14 title 22-10 over Okapi
