Panther7s Claw Through Tropical 7s U23 Bracket

The Panther 7s U23 men won the Tropical 7s Men's U23/College bracket Saturday, taking Life University down 20-0 after going 5-0 in Pool Play.

It was a hugely impressive showing by the team, which is run through the Panther Rugby Academy program in the South. With Gary Anderson from the University of Kentucky brought in by Program Director Mark Williams to coach the team, this was a group of talented collegiate athletes, all of whom have played for the HS All Americans, USA South U19s, or Eagle Impact Rugby Academy. 

Anderson brought in Dave Katz as another coach, and the team was strong defensively, giving up only 22 points in six games and shutting out Media, Texas Barbarians, Spring Hill, and Life. Only the S7ormers and C Side Deckhands scored any points against them.

"The boys were lights out on defense," said Anderson of a team that didn't give up a single break through the middle. "They never got disconnected, jockeyed when needed, and timed their shots perfectly."

On attack they ran a good pattern stretching defenses from side to side and waited for the chances to present themselves.

"We stuck to our pattern," said Anderson. "The boys stayed patient and never got frantic. You could tell many of them had been there before."

It was a strong team effort, but Jack Bradfield and Noah Brown were named players of the tournament. Bradfield calm amid the melee and his ability to make players at key moments made him a crucial addition to the team, while Brown's physicality and work rate earned him the nod.