The Okapi Wanderers made a big statement this weekend in Florida's HS league, shutting out Cardinal Gibbons 36-0.

Gibbons was the runner-up team in the state in 2022. Okapi beat the state winners, Boca Raton, last week 18-3, meaning they played the top two teams from last season and didn't allow a try.

"Great performance from the team today," said Head Coach Juan Orfila. "We improved from last week with Boca, being able to dominate, playing our game plan during 55 minutes."

The club has added Jose Codoni as Rugby Director after coaching top-flight club rugby in Argentina the last seven years. He has worked with all of the coaches across all divisions to establish a basic game plan and approach.

"We have started to see the results," said Orfila. 

The coach praised his side's intensity, aggression, and work in the tackle and the breakdown.

Nano Fernandez was excellent at hooker making tackles and carrying hard up front. Wing Matthew Arteta scored a well-taken try from 60 meters out. 

Lock Consta Pozzi has been in good form all season, while flanker and captain Keaton McLeavy as well as No. 8 Luis Cruzado put in a ton of work.

"Gibbons as always was a tough team to beat and we know they will become stronger, as will all the other teams," warned Orfila. "So we need to keep working hard and  keep evolving to be ready for the playoffs."

Even so, it's an impressive showing by Okapi.