Penn HS upset the current national champion Royal Irish team 19-17 to win the Rugby Indiana Super League final Saturday.

Photos by Tamara Tidey. Bottom photo, Penn's JV team also won a championship.

In doing so, Penn defeated the two teams that beat them in league play, Brownsburg in the semifinal last week and Royal Irish in the final.

Inoke Moala led the Penn charge at No.8 and was named the player of the game. Penn scored two quick tries to a take 12-0 lead, and it was a lead they never relinquished.

“Our defense was very good,” said Penn Coach Bart Bottorff. “I told the players that this was the potential I knew we had.”

Hooker Zach Biggs was outstanding on the day, not only in the set piece and in tight but running with the ball, as well.

This was a good end to an up-and-down season for Penn, in which they won the early-season tournament at Lindenwood University, but faded in the Midwest Championships. Penn rebounded with an overtime win over Xavier in the Boys National Championships only to lose their next two. Bottorff said it’s been a rough season in many ways, but noted that he graduates only a handful of seniors, and the future shines even brighter when you consider that Penn also won the JV championship, 33-14 over Royal Irish.

Penn vs Royal Irish was A rematch of several past Rugby Indiana Championships and of last years classic 5-3  battle. Penn jumped out to a quick lead with Senior wing Jacob Parmater racing to the corner for the first try. Cedric Vakalahi, a junior, showed great footwork and balance out maneuvering 3 defenders and was next in crossing the tryline 15 minutes for Penn. Harry Stevens converted.

"We know how good the Irish can be but we knew if we could run 15 plus phases we could score or frustrate them," said Bottorff. "Going up on them early was huge." 

As the game continued, the wind increased dramatically and the temperature dropped 15 degrees. Royal Irish started to claw back. HS All American Brian Hannon asked questions of the Penn defense, and after some pressure the Irish scored off a scrum.

Penn responded soon thereafter. Moala took an eightman pick. The move was expected but Moala was not to be denied, smashing through three Irish defenders and then over the line.

Stevens converted again and the half ended 19- 12 in favor of Penn. 

"We had a play on and Inoke was supposed to give that ball but to see the look in his eye we knew he was over no matter how many guys were on him," said Penn fitness coach Carl Case.

The second half had Penn playing into an every-increasing wind. The Irish opted for more ball in hand rather than kicking, and while they worked some good sequences, Penn defended well and turned them away multiple times.

As the sky grew increasingly worse the final minutes gave each team chances to score again but quality defense and pressure faltered.  The Irish finally broke thru with the only points in the second period, but the conversion sailed wide to leave the score at 19-17 in favor of Penn.

Both teams had to defend inside their 22 a few times in the last seven minutes, and both had ball in hand multiple phases.

When the scoreboard expired, the crowd cheered but then they had to wait as referee Dave Bryant said two minutes remained in time added on for stoppages.

"I can assure you that was of the longest two minutes I've ever faced," said Penn hooker Zach Biggs.

The Irish ran six-plus phases on Penn's half of the field in the remaining seconds. Penn earned a holding-on penalty to stop the threat. The Irish made a last second effort when they stole a poorly controlled ball on the penalty tap.

 "Lineouts were 50-50 at best In the wind," said Bottorff. "Our guys opted to run the last penalty when the ref told us there was still time left even if we kicked to touch. A good decision, but a heart-stopper when they turned us over at midfield with no time left. Our defense was the best of the season and thankfully after three Irish smashing runs, we outplayed them at the breakdown, earning the ball back." 

Penn Scrum half Blake Stone then dribbled an awkward ball into touch to get the final whistle.

"That was the ugliest yet most perfect kick I've seen in a while," joked Bottorff.

Over 1000 people came thru the gates of the Moose Rugby Grounds including many alumni of both teams - which further supported the history, respect and energy this game seems to repeat annually.   All were treated to another Rugby Indiana classic by two consistent powerhouse programs.