GRR: Michigan HS Rugby
Led by an outstanding game from flyhalf Jack O'Malley and some breakaway tries from Jack Lamancusa, Rockford HS won the Rugby Michigan Boys HS state championship this month, beating Traverse City Alliance 56-25 in the championship game.
Grandville HS girls ended this fall with a state championship as they avenged last year's championship game loss to Sparta-Rock with a 22-10 win for the Bulldogs.
With seniors Gina Pollice and Hanna Sarber scoring tries, and junior Hannah Koorndyk adding one of her own, Grandville held off an early onslaught from Sparta-Rock.
Howell defeated Rockford in dramatic fashion to win the Rugby Michigan Boys HS championship this past weekend.
The playoffs produced plenty of drama throughout.
Rockford themselves had to work very hard to get to the final … even the semifinal. The quarterfinals included a tight 19-17 defeat of Detroit Central Catholic.
Grandville defeated Berkley 37-10 Saturday to win the Michigan girls HS state championship.
This was Grandville's third-straight state title. Led by captain and MVP Bethany Gable, and with some excellent play from sophomore Corryn Bush, Grandville finished off this season with their winning streak now at 29.
Grandville and Berkley won their playoff pools in Rugby Michigan's Girls HS playoffs. Grandville outscored their opponents 103-7, while Berkly shut out Traverse City and just got by a tough Sparta team.
Bethany Gable scored five tries in two games for Grandville.
The championship game is set for November 12 in Brighton, Mich.