Neuqua HS is now 3-0 in the Rugby Illinois Suburban league after defeating Notre Dame de La Salette 20-17 on Saturday.

It was a long day of rugby for La Salette, as they played two league games, beating the Fox Valley Chiefs 39-0. But for Neuqua, this was a big result.

Top photo, prop Tommy Canova, 2nd photo Casey Larson, and bottom photo, captain Joey Backe Photos by Patty Dosher.

“Josh Hayes has La Salette playing really well,” said Neuqua Coach Dave Rosenberg. “But we’ve been working really hard on our defense, and we did a pretty good job of stopping them at the gain line.”

Neuqua, in fact, has been playing solid defense all season, holding Marist to only 10 points and New Trier to just five. Perhaps their most notable earlier result was a 10-7 loss to the Coastal Dragons of Southern California at the Fullerton Youth Tournament. 

Important for Neuqua, said Rosenberg, is that they haven’t had any resistance from the school’s football coach. With the football coach encouraging his players to play other sports (whatever they are), Neuqua Rugby has recruited some talented football players. Scrumhalf Will Chevalier plays running back and defensive back on the football team, but he also comes from a rugby-playing family. He takes the kicks and punts on the football team, too, so he has a group of skills that have made him a nice addition for the squad.

No. 8 Joey Backe has been a force in the forwards.

“We have a very strong counter-attack with some good backs,” said Rosenberg. “Teams generally stop kicking to us because have such a good counter. Every year we try to challenge ourselves and play out of the state. It’s paying off for us.”

The result against La Salette is a signal that Neuqua could be a team to watch, but they have work to do. Next up is a Thursday meeting with the always-difficult Chiefs, and then Arlington and Morton. 

In the Catholic Conference, Brother Rice is 3-0 and leads, with Fenwick and Mt. Carmel close behind at 3-1.