Cavemen Defeats Herriman in Utah
Cavemen Defeats Herriman in Utah
The top two teams in Utah in #7-ranked school team Herriman and #4-ranked Cavemen met up Saturday evening in Utah league play, and it was the Cavemen who came away victors.
It was Senior Night for Cavemen and they were recognizing 21 seniors, most of whom had been with the Cavemen/American Fork program since early middle school.
Paced by two tries from scrumhalf Chris Malo, one each from fullback Zaeden Selu, flanker Caydn Keetch, and No. 8 Easton Simmons, and with flyhalf Tristan Mocke converting four, Cavemen ran out to a 33-15 lead, and, after a late score from Herriman, won 33-20.
“The boys battled hard,” said Herriman Head Coach Jeff Wilson. “That is an immensely talented team. They are loaded with athletes.”
For Cavemen Mocke’s kicking from the tee was complemented by his kicks for space and for touch. Captain Leo Esikia was a physical presence and was a leader on defense, while flanker Carlos Uyema helped contain Herriman’s eightman pick with his defense.
Jared Iakopo at center and wing Afu Liufau were massive in making line breaks.
The unheralded work was led by hooker Bradley Robinson, who, said Coach Richard Vernon, “goes 110% in practice and in games. He leads by example.”
With Wes Betham and Hank Vernon coming in to finish the game off, Cavemen logged a huge victory.
“Keeping Herriman under pressure, and on their heels, and not letting up, was a big part of it,” said Vernon. “Just the amazing caliber of these young men on and off the field creates a chemistry, a brotherhood, like no other.”
This follows on from a strong Friendship Cup performance in Tennessee, in which the team learned that discipline and being discipline under pressure would be the only way to beat teams of the level of Herriman.
As for Herriman, the rather ... shall we say, curious ... nature of Utah Youth Rugby's league structure means they won't be in the state playoffs as a result of two close losses to LCA and Cavemen. The Mustangs will be looking ahead to the Montana Invitational.
"It was a great game," said Wilson. "It felt like a national-title-caliber game. They are ridiculously talented. I told the boys and said you will not see a team that talented. Our kids played their butts off but we made a couple of costly mistakes and that hurt us."
