The top teams in D1A looked very much the picture this weekend as Navy and Cal won their semifinals.
Cal and Navy will meet for the championship in a rematch of the 2023 final, which Navy won. This will be Navy's third appearance in the D1A final in the last four seasons, and Cal's third also.
The Midshipmen came back from a 21-0 deficit to beat Life, scoring five converted tries, four in the second half, to win 35-21.
"Three national championships appearances in four years says something very significant about this program and we couldn't be happier," said Navy DOR Gavin Hickie. "This senior class is special. They were freshman when we won the first national championship and every one of them stepped up and displayed their leadership today."
Life capitalized on early Navy penalties to build a quick lead. Shaun Matthysen finished a maul into the try zone in the 15th minute and Jonty Lee hit the conversion kick to put the Running Eagles ahead 7-0.
The Running Eagles extended their advantage just five minutes later. James Rose was set up off a lineout and ran in untouched for a try that Lee converted.
Matthysen struck again late in the first half to give Life a commanding 21-0 lead. He scored his second try on a pick-and-go play near the 5-meter line and Lee added his third conversion.
"We started very well in the first 15 minutes of the game with a lot of possessions, we just couldn't finish and score," Hickie stated. "It just came down to a test of character and that's not taking anything away from Life, but we really put it up to ourselves to dig out of that hole."
With a Life player in the sin bin and time close to being expired in the first half. Austin Taylor ran the Mids into the Running Eagles 22 to set up a try for Drew Baublitz. Roanin Krieger converted and Navy had a lifeline going into halftime.
Max Smith broke loose for a long run early in the second half. Baublitz was there in support and fed Kade Williams, who sent it to Avion Ganse to score. Krieger converted and now it was a one-score game at 21-14.
At 53 minutes Austin Taylor raced in to score and Krieger's conversion tied it up. Within the space of about 13 minutes of playing time Life's lead had evaporated.
And Navy kept going. Ian Bullock snagged a Life lineout close to the Running Eagles tryline and he was over. Krieger converted again, and now Navy led 28-21.
Navy was able to get a two-score cushion when Michael Strehle was set up by Smith to charge over the line. Krieger finished up a 5-for-5 day from the tee with the conversion. Life still had time to turn the tide, but the Navy defense took control.
"We challenged ourselves at halftime," Hickie said. "It was 40 minutes left and we either do it or we don't and the men did it. They were just outstanding."
