Somehow Royal Irish pulled it out.

Injured - one of their top players had to stop playing Saturday after he was told to remove a knee brace - the Indianapolis team held off a determined and talented Granite Bay squad to win their third national HS club title in four years.

“They had some really good players,” said Royal Irish Head Coach Scott Peterson, noting in particular the elusive Sam Cusano at fullback. “Their deep three were really good. A couple of times we really had to scramble, but the guys just had a will to win.”

That might in part be because some of the Royal Irish players were playing in their fourth national final. Those kinds of games get a little easier with time. So even when Drew Weimer was sin-binned, and Noah Schrader, their captain and possibly their best player, had to sit down, they didn’t fold.

No. 8 Kevin O’Hara played a heroic game. 

“He’s always in support, runs the ball well, such a solid, consistent player,” said Peterson. Oh, and O’Hara played the final with a torn labrum.

The Royal Irish midfield did a superb job, especially in defense. Kyle Hoeper “just doesn’t miss tackles,” said Peterson, who was a pretty good center himself in his day. “I think outside center is the most important spot in the backline, defensively, and he has a great head for the position and the game and does the little things right.”

And then inside center Anthony LaRose is an accomplished linebacker in football and plays like it as a #12. He runs hard and delivers hard hits, too.

There were plenty of other heroes. Will Schroeder at lock, Drew Weimer at flanker, Brian Hannon at flyhalf (more on him in another article), Tyler Decker at scrumhalf, and Michael Fleck at fullback. All had their moments. But in the end, it was a team effort - a dedication to playing smart, and at times dynamic, rugby, and a complete dedication to winning the gain line. 

They did it despite a battered lineup and falling behind early, and are deserved champions.