The Olentangy Blues clinched the Ohio State Boys High School Club Championship, holding off the Dayton Northern Force 24-19 Saturday at Fortress Obetz in Obetz, Ohio.
In a suspenseful showdown at the state rugby tournament, the Blues and Northern Force battled it out, with Olentangy unable to shake Dayton and get a comfortable lead.
The sun-drenched day created a perfect backdrop as the teams showcased their skills in the arena, with all spirits intensified by the high stakes.
The Olentangy team, led by standout performances from Isaiah Smith, Brock Fisher, Nola Vaught, and Dylan Bellinger, struggled to get their attack going early. And in fact it was only 7-0 at halftime.
No one on the Blues thought a 7-0 lead was sufficient. Throughout the game, Vaught shone in her defensive role, complemented by the relentless efforts of the tight five, including Dawson Demoss, and fierce runs from Smith and Ben Culver.
Olentangy backed up Smith's first-half try with a score from Brock Fisher on an eightman pick. Dayton responded with a try from Graham Jordan, and it was 14-7.
Once again Olentangy pulled away. Center Mykell Andrews, whose long break had set up the first try, caught the restart, and from the the Blues pressured, got a penalty, and sent it wide for Demoss to feed Vaught, who scored.
Northern Force punished a mistake by Olentangy (kicking out on the full when the ball was passed back into the 22), and Dayton's big forwards bashed it in. That made it 19-12. Wing Dylan Dellinger's try made it 24-12 but Dayton responded with a brilliant dummy, chip, chase, and score from No. 8 Tyler Allison, who was outstanding on the day.
