Ignatius Saves Best for Last in Ohio 7s

10.26.2025HS Boys

St. Ignatius Rolls in Rugby Ohio 7s. Photo Alex Goff.

For the fourth time in a row St. Ignatius is the Rugby Ohio boys 7s champion team.

In previous years the final has often been a difficult affair. Ignatius lost on the last play of the game against St. Edward back in 2021. They were pushed very hard in the mud against St. Xavier two years ago. It never seems to be as simple as it could be for the favorites.

This year, the threats came at every turn. Rugby Ohio's championship tournament was a full bracket format, with the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final. There was no pool play, so if you start poorly, you might find yourself playing for 5th.

In the opener against Moeller Ignatius had to weather some difficulty, as a physical and motivated Moeller side worked to punish Ignatius knock-ons.

But Ignatius, who play best when they move the ball through multiple pairs of hands and avoid getting bogged down in tight, was able to pull it out with tries from Jimmy Riley and Connor Gallagher. Much of positivity on attack went through Gallagher, as he mostly looked to set up his teammates. No conversions, but the job was done 20-5.

Also winning were West Pitt, Westshore, and St. Xavier. West Pitt's marauding big men had all they could handle from a skills and unified Marysville side. West Pitt got a big day from Henry Miller and also Michael Oslewski as they held on 19-15.

St. Xavier also had to battle for it and were in real threat of losing to a St. Edward team that just wouldn't go away. Some desperate defense from St. X, power running from Camden Bowling saw them past St. Ed's 28-21.

Westshore was very patient and well coached on defense and had some breakaway speed and that all combinednicely to beat a Dayton Northern Force side by a wide margin. It was the only non nailbiter in the quarterfinals. Nathan Bruwer and Carter Kangas tested teams on the outside, but it was Jack Pavey who kept scoring tries whenever teams were unready around the rucks.

Tracked to the consolation rounds Moeller showed that their testing of Ignatius wasn't a fluke as they beat Marysville 21-15 (three tries each but Moeller's kicking was stronger) and then, in the final, they defeated Dayton in another exciting clash 28-22 to take 5th.

Rugby Ohio Boys 7s 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

Rugby Ohio Boys 7s 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

No Easy Games

Meanwhile, there was plenty more drama in the semifinals. Ignatius vs West Pitt was a barnburner. West Pitt pinned Ignatius their end and Miller especially was difficult to contain as the Pennsylvania side charged through tackles to score twice before Ignatius has really touched the ball.

Able to get possession St. Ignatius was able to unleash Charlie Worthington and Riley, and then some strong playmaking from Henry McGowan (as well as his goalkicking) turned the tide. Ignatius scored late in the first half and followed that up with another as the half expired to take a 14-10 lead.

Tommy Cummings, who has been a lock in 15s in his earlier years as a rugby player at St. Ignatius, has found a new gear of speed, say his coaches, and he showcased that at crucial times in the second half, pushing Ignatius to a 26-10 lead. West Pitt went back to what brought them there, but it was too much of a mountain to climb. A converted try made it 26-17, and they scored again late in the second half, but Ignatius held on 26-22.

In the other semifinal St. Xavier and Westshore both tested each other. The defenses held and with the score 7-7 late in the first half Westshore threatened again. St. X got the ball back, sucked in the Westshore defense, and sent a grubber through that created a try from 95 meters out.

Westshore put everything into a comeback and had a big breakaway only for the X defense to slow them down. With time winding down they got to the line only to be held up, and that was the game, 14-7 for St. Xavier.

Before the final, St. Ignatius Head Coach for 7s, former USA 7s player Matt Pickston, said the team had drifted away from what worked for them. Little errors and going into too much contact in the middle of the field, while trying to play wide open when backed up to their goalline, all contributed to games that were closer than was comfortable.

In the final, it wasn't like that at all.

Alex Werner made a cutback run, was dragged down, but had Marcello Woodberry in support for the opening try. Ignatius followed that up with another chance but lost the ball in-goal. That was just about their only error in the final. A long 22 dropout from St. Xavier just opened the door for Ignatius to unleash one of their better and more patient sequences.

They worked the ball sideline to sideline, didn't try to do too much, and a snappy pass form Marcello allowed Worthington to make territory. The ball was then spun wide for Gallagher to score on the opposite side.

Right after that Ignatius won the restart and Riley pounced on it to race through. Another break from Worthington and some smooth, unselfish play from the backs put Harrison White in at the corner.

Ignatius was in control. They had been able to rest players through the day while St. Xavier had played pretty much the same main group. The fatigue started to set in.

In the second half Cummings galloped through for a couple, and it was as good as done. St. Xavier scored late, but Ignatius had put it all together at 42-7.

"We always want them peaking at the right time," said Pickston, "and they did."

Since losing that 2021 final to St. Edward, Ignatius has gone 18-0 in four straight seasons for a 72-0 record.