The Tennessee State Championship went to 901 this past weekend after the Memphis-area team held off Raptor Rugby 24-22.
These two teams were meeting up for the second time in two years and also faced off in the fall, 2022 7s final.
In the first several minutes, both sides were finding it difficult to get momentum due to defensive line speed from both clubs. Miscues from both backlines saw turnovers, leading to many set pieces. One of 901’s biggest Achilles heels in recent years had been lineouts. They lost their first two lineouts in this game, but both times it was in Raptor territory so it didn't cost them much. After that, however, hooker Duncan Hornsby found his timing with the jumpers, and 901 didn’t lose another lineout all game.
Around the 8th minute, senior outside center Brady Weatherly was able to crack the Raptors backline and score from 15 metes. George Vezina slotted the conversion, putting 901 up 7-0.
A few minutes later Weatherly intercepted a Raptor pass and ran it in for a try from 35 meters out. However, as he touched it down he was penalized for taunting the opposition. No try and Raptor Rugby was able to clear. More bad news for 901 as captain and scrumhalf Caleb Schmidt appeared to fracture his wrist. He was off and backup Mason Green came on.
Green hadn't played in many high-pressure situations but he had performed well on the team's tour to New Orleans, during which he went 8-for8 on kicks for goal. Green handled the pressure extremely well, delivering quality ball the entire match and kicking to touch effectively.
Shortly after the disallowed try, the Raptors got front foot on the ball and scored twice to take the lead 10-7.
The second half saw lead changes, momentum shifts, and plenty of impressive rugby. Captain and Naval Academy commit Ian Bullock took multiple Raptors for a ride before offloading to Garret Hagan, who drew a defender and then passed to wing Andrew Macy for the try.
Now 901 led 12-10. Minutes later, Raptor regained possession on a try awarded in the corner. A Raptors player dotted down the ball as 901 senior Landon Seward was tackling the ballcarrier into touch. It was a bang-bang play leading to a discussion between the referee and his assistant referee. The try was eventually confirmed resulting in a lead of 15-12.
