Father Ryan Pulls Off Double in Tennessee
Father Ryan Pulls Off Double in Tennessee
It was a good Tennessee State Championship weekend for Father Ryan High School out of Nashville.
Both the boys and the girls teams took home the trophy.
For the boys, Father Ryan had been knocking on the door for a few years only to be stymied by Raptors, who had won the state tournament the last two years. This year might have been the year it would change, but earlier in the season Father Ryan and Ratprs had met in the Halloweeen 7s, with the Raptors coming away with the tournament victory.
That recent close loss, plus some internal improvements, combined to push Father Ryan over the top. Both teams made quick work of their pool games and made the final. There Father Ryan scored three early tries in the final and stymied the formidable Raptors, not allowing them to get any momentum.
Led by senior captains Jacob Anton and Collin Strickmaker, Father Ryan won the final 40-10. Strickmaker was named Tournament MVP.
It was the first boys title for Father Ryan in many years and a huge boost for the program and first-year Head Coach Will Shaw.
For the girls bracket, Father Ryan took care of business from start to finish overwhelming each opponent with a defense that boast five players logging tackle counts in the double-digits. Morgan Bryan led the team with 20 tackles, and she was supported by Makula Jeigula (15), Abby Weaver (13),
Savannah Nimitz (11), Bailey Wolf (11), and MaryAnn Bray (8).
Six different Father Ryan players scored tries with Jeigula leading the team with five and earning the Tournament MVP nod.
Team Captain Maryellen Chiasson was the on-field leader, making nine tackles, scoring a try, and leading by example.
Head Coach Jess Knowles has built a strong group and continues to grow the program— this is the second 7s state title for the girls in the last four years,
