Vienna Wins HS Nationals Play-In Over Fort Hunt
Vienna Wins HS Nationals Play-In Over Fort Hunt
Vienna defeated Fort Hunt in a game that likely secured a place at HS Nationals for the winner.
Fort Hunt started the game kicking deep into the Vienna 22, but Vienna answered with some good ball-handling and running the ball back. They were halted, finally, but a tackle into touch from Fort Hunt fullback Miguel Lopez—who was a Vienna youth player and played for Vienna's HS team through last year.
Vienna kept on the pressure and after regaining possession flanker Luke Jarvis charged back into the Fort Hunt end. Once again Lopez swooped in to make a key tackle, and also knocking the ball loose.
Finally a 40-meter line break by lock Martin Keller got Vienna back on the front foot. Quick ball led to a grubber through and hooker Sawyer Behind raced in to gather the ball and pass to Jarvis. He linked with wing Jake Bowen, who was in for the first try of the day.
Fort Hunt pressured and forced a penalty that resulted in Vienna No. 8 David Ropper getting a yellow card. Fort Hunt opted for the lineout, but the shorthanded Vienna held firm on defense and flyhalf Ryan Vagoun was able to kick clear. More chances came for Vienna but they continued to make little errors at key moments, leaving the score at 5-0.
So it was Fort Hunt that scored next. Taking a lineout 10 meters from the Vienna line, Fort Hunt flanker Carter Brown took the weak side off the back of the ensuing maul and was in at the corner to tie the game.
With Fort Hunt challenging Vienna at the contact area, neither team could shift the scoreboard as halftime approached.
In the second half, it was Vienna kicking and Fort Hunt running it back. Good defense by Tanner Hall and Matthew Vojta helped win the ball back for Vienna. And it was a counter-ruck from Vojta and a tackle by lock Martin Keller that allowed Vojta to scoop up a look ball and take off downfield. The center offloaded to Vagoun, who was tackled just short of the tryline but he popped the ball up to center Oscar Espanol, and he was in. That made it 12-5.
Another line break and long run by Vienna Keller looked like a potential try, but once again Lopez made the key tackle. Under pressure Fort Hunt defended doggedly and were patient enough to wait for their moment. The result was the Warriors almost getting over for a try of their own, only to be pushed into touch one meter from the tryline.
Vienna's ill-advised tap off the top in the lineout went over their scrumhalf Charlie Gilbert's head and was touched down by Vienna, giving FH a five-meter attacking scrum. Once again Vienna got out of it and were able to kick clear and chase. Vienna was able to get the ball back with Vagoun setting up Vojta for a 40-meter gallop for the try. With the conversion it was now a two-score game.
They almost added to that when Espanol nabbed a shanked Vienna kick with no one in front of him, but he was unable to find the handle.
Fort Hunt kept coming and scored late and converted to finish the scoring 19-12.
Keller was Vienna's forward of the game while Vojta was their top back. Lopez was outstanding for Fort Hunt, making several key defensive plays at fullback.
With the victory, Vienna garners an invitation to the Boys HS National Championships, where they won Tier 2 in 2023.