Bixby defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 24-5 this past weekend in what is a warmup game for both teams. 

Bixby had already taken the field and won and they were certainly together on the defensive side of the field, holding Aquinas to one early-in-the-game try. It was a tough, close game into the second half—Bixby did reply to the Aquinas try and led 7-5 at the break. In the second half Bixby started to put some things together but didn't pull away until an interception try late in the game.

"St. Thomas had our defense going backwards for first 15 minutes or so," said Bixby Head Coach Chris Smith. After that, however, "we started clicking defensively, and was able to keep them backed up for a while, finally turning [that pressure] into points."

Rookie senior Carson Lindsay, in only his second game, was very effective on defense and broke off a run that was held up in-goal. However, from the goalline dropout Bixby was able to attack again and lock Everett Johnston powered over.

In the second half Aaron Montgomery, whose goalkicking was on point all day, slotted a penalty to make it 10-5. Some good defensive pressure allowed center Aiden Kalmar to get the ball and break through—Montgomery converted and it was 17-5. With 10 minutes left and Aquinas attacking, Kalmar intercepted a pass and was in under the sticks. Montgomery once again was good on the kick to finish it off 24-5.

“To be able to get a W against St Thomas is huge for our club," said Smith. "We play them every year, and they are always clinical, physical, and deep. It’s a compliment to them on how much that W meant for us. This was their first outing and without a doubt they will be a totally different team in a few weeks.”  

Aquinas Head Coach Tim Kluempers said there were plenty of positives in the game. 

"Our boys playued pretty well and never, ever quit," said Kluempers. "But they outsized our pack by about 20 pounds a player. We gave up a try late in the first half and late in the second half, and that's fitness—that's going to come. We have to address some of our tactics and our rugby IQ, but that will come, too. I know we will be a heck of a lot better at the end of the season because there is a lot of potential for improvement in these guys."