Danville scored right at the end of the game to win the Northern California Boys HS Premier league final 25-24 over Jesuit in a classic on Saturday.

This season has been a very competitive one throughout Northern California, with no team leaving unscathed. But Danville finished strong, and eked out a victory to win the region.

Danville got on the board first and punished Jesuit for playing too much rugby within their own 22. A missed tackle led to a long break and Danville was in under the posts to take 7-0 lead.

The next 20 minutes was back and forth with both teams playing long stretches of defense. The pressure was great and it showed with both teams making errors.

Jesuit flanker Max Sackett was finally able to cross the line for Jesuit, but the conversion was missed and the halftime score stood at Danville 7, Jesuit 5

It took Jesuit just 25 seconds into the second half to unlock the Danville defense. A quick win off the kickoff and an attack down the weak side saw Laiatu Latu dot down in the corner. Fullback Mason Phillips slotted the kick from the corner to allow Jesuit to take the lead.

It was short-lived, as Danville tied the score just five minutes later. Mason Phillips then raced away to score and converted his own try to put Jesuit back on top. Danville were able to get the ball wide and outpaced Jesuit to score. This made it a two-point game.

Prop Joe Marchant then went to work and was able to bash over the line after a series of runs of a tapped penalty.

That score gave the Marauders a 7-point advantage at 24-17 with just ten minutes on the clock. Danville came right back on attack. They gained a penalty off a dangerous tackle, and with coach Chris O'Brien yelling for the Oaks to take a shot at goal, took the three points to make it 24-20. That was a key move as it put Danville within a try.

With the man advantage thanks to a yellow card to Jesuit, the Oaks went on attack. They were able to get a few long runs and the Jesuit scrambling defense was able to hold the line several times. One final surge saw Jesuit with too many men committed to the ruck and simple pass allowed Danville lock Nick Luesing to score right at the final whistle.

Final Score Danville 25 – Jesuit 24

“It was a good day for Northern California rugby and classic final with two skilled teams playing intelligent rugby,” said Head Coach John Shorey. “We can see why Danville are the Top Club Team in the nation and I’m pretty sure that they will make a mark on the Club Bracket at the High School Rugby Nationals.”

"Incredible game played by both sides," said Danville Coach David Liebowitz. "Both teams played and an incredible game. 

The win over one of the best teams in the country should hopefully assure of us a #1 seed at the NIT. Jesuit it is an incredibly skilled well-coached team. They are by far the best team we have played all year."