Charlotte Catholic defeated Myers Park 43-21 Saturday to win the North Carolina single-school championship.

Myers Park gave Catholic all they could handle, and Catholic Head Coach Ian Mueller said his team needed plenty of resilience and fitness to win.

Right at the end of the first half of a tight, physical contest, Charlotte Catholic’s Reid Brandt was yellow-carded for a no-wrap tackle. Up a player, Myers Park scored a try to lead 14-12. But then Charlotte Catholic replied, with Greg O’Shields, Greyson Krone, and then, back on the field, Brandt scored to take control.

“Myers Park played well, but had we played the entire game the way we played in the final 20 minutes, I think we would have scored a lot more,” said Mueller.

Fitness and defense finished off the game. Leading the way for Charlotte Catholic were their two talented props. Ari Rodrigue is a tough-running freshman prop who has markedly improved his rucking skills, helping Catholic maintain possession throughout the game. And Jack White was an athletic defender, and he also has been the team’s goalkicker - using drop-kicks exclusively.

“We know we have a lot to work on before nationals in two weeks, but it was a good win,” said Mueller.