Raptor Rugby Takes Control in Tennessee Final
Raptor Rugby Takes Control in Tennessee Final
Raptor Rugby won the Tennessee boys HS championship in fairly emphatic fashion Saturday, defeating 901 out of Memphis 41-10.
There is a fairly strong rivalry between the two and both teams had each other circled on their schedule.
The Raptors knocked on the opening kickoff and 901 drove down near the try line where the Raptor defense held them out—901 would struggle to finish off chances in this game. After several phases trying to get over the line, 901 got a penalty and flyhalf Colby Shelton put the kick over the bar for a 3-0 901 lead.
The next few minutes was a battle of wills with neither team able to take control. With 901 on the attack Raptor flyhalf Jake Orefice intercepted a pass and ran twenty meters in to score. Orefice converted for the 7-3 lead. In response 901 came straight back with some strong runs by senior prop Andrew Toy. Taking advantage of several Raptor penalties, 901 got their opposites on their heels and went over. Shelton converted and the Memphis side led 10-7.
The Raptors regained the lead for good after a long period phases leading to flanker Jake Roberts leaping through from two meters out. Orefice converted making the score 14-10.
Raptor defense absorbed 901's attack, lead by the defensive effort of forwards Chandler Romero (who replaced senior starter Owen Black for injury), Jasper Quisenberry, and Sarp Kundakci, Bo Linstroth along with juniors Grant Webber, Lucas McCollum, Jake Roberts, and Christian Logan. Their efforts led to a penalty which Orefice converted from just inside the 22 yo make it 17-10. With a minute left in the first half the Raptors took advantage of a 901 miscue and played the ball wide to junior fullback Wyatt Appleton, and he was in under the posts. Orefice converted once more and the Raptors led 24-10 and had the momentum.
The second half started much like the first with stingy defense by the defending champions. The forward play was accompanied by the defense of the backline, with wings Barron Lankford and Andrew Ryan were relentless in contact. Raptor scrumhalf Gavin Trussell was quick to punish 901 handling errors and this put his side back on the front foot. The Raptors converted the first when senior centers Eli Baumann and Bishop Reilly connected with Lankford and he was in at the corner.
From this point on, all the momentum was with the Raptors. Both teams played a man down in the second half at times from yellow cards, but only the Raptors took advantage getting the ball wide once again with Reilly scoring from a 70-meter run. Seniors Jackson Burgdorf and Brennan Rexrode, along with underclassmen Macager Sutherland and Quinn Shrauger, gave the Raptor forwards big minutes as finishers. They helped in setting up the second half shut out. Backline finishers, Charlie Goodson, Brady Griifith, Benjamin Eadie and Max Baumann all contributed to set up the final try of the match. Wyatt Appleton used his boot to counter down the pitch and that ball was chased down by finisher Owen Stopforth to wrap it up at 41-10.
Jake Orefice was named the 2025 Division I State Final MVP and Raptor had their second state title in a row.
"It's been a great year to be involved with the Raptors," said Coach Peter Tiberio. "The boys have worked hard and have a tough two weeks ahead as we prepare for and head to the national championship. We are all looking forward to the challenge ahead in Indiana."
The Raptors will now look ahead to Elkhart, Ind. for the Boys HS Rugby National Championships.
And Head Coach Richard Boone welcomed that final tounament, and as he thnked the parents and supporters for their help with the team, he added that everyone could “expect three more high-level matches, just like what 901 brought on this day, at Nationals in Indiana.”
