Raptor Rugby Secures Tennessee Three-Peat

05.05.2026HS Boys

Raptor wins their third straight state title.

Author: GRR Staff

This year the Raptors once again faced a team from Memphis in the final, but unlike the past four years, this year, it was not 901.

For the first time in their history, Christian Brothers High School was the #1 seed in the West having beaten perennial power 901 during the regular season. It was the first Division 1 appearance for CBHS while the Raptor Seniors were chasing history trying to become the first team in fifteen years to lay claim to the State Title for three straight years.

The Raptors were clinical in the first half, running their shape throughout and capitalizing on a few Christian Brothers turnovers when junior lock Faolan Miller burst over for the first try of the match.

University of Kentucky signee senior Jake Orefice converted to make the score 7-0. Shortly after several big runs by Match MVP and West Point signee Barron Lankford, senior flanker and Arkansas State signee Jake Roberts touched down for a 12-0 lead.

MVP Lankford was not finished and broke loose for a long try under the post which Orefice converted to make the score 19-0.

For the next several minutes the teams went back and forth before a nifty back line play from Orefice to senior fullback and Life University signee Wyatt Appleton made the score 26-0 heading into the break. In the first half the Raptors’ stingy defense was led by seniors Payton and Hudson Husak.

The second half was a solid contest with both teams able to get significant minutes for their reserves and Christian Brothers took advantage scoring three tries while the Raptors scored one by senior scrumhalf Brady Griffiths. The win secured the three-peat and added to this Senior class's legacy as they head into Nationals looking to improve on their third-place finish in 2025.

This match marked the final appearance on the sidelines for CBHS Head Coach Justin Whitmer, who has been instrumental in the growth of Tennessee High School Rugby in West Tennessee. Coach Whitmer is stepping back into a supporting role as he continues on as an educator with the school. State SYRO lead Richard Boone said this about Coach Whitmer.

“Justin is a scholar, a great coach, and an even greater man. His selflessness and commitment to the sport is evident in everything he does as he routinely puts his and other program’s needs before his own personal needs. He gives more than he gets and has been in High School Rugby for all the right reasons over the years. He sees the bigger picture and has supported every initiative and every individual along his journey. He will be sorely missed as he steps back away from coaching and his BOD role.”

The Raptors have a few weeks off as they prepare for the Boys HS National Championships in Elkhart, Ind. later this month.