The Ravenwood Raptors capped off a 10-1 season, with a 28-17 defeat of the Harpeth Harlequins to take the Tennessee state championship this past weekend. 

Ravenwood finished 9-0 in Tennessee, with their only loss being against top-ranked St. Edward of Ohio.

To reach the Finals, the Raptors defeated West Tennessee leaders Germantown 42-17 in the semifinals. Harpeth defeated South Doyle in their semi, 40-14.

This set up a rematch of an achingly-close game Harpeth and Ravenwood played in the regular season. In that game, the Harlequins ran out to a big lead - 27-5 - and saw the Raptors come back to win late 33-27. Things would go somewhat the same way this time.

The Harpeth Harlequins, coached by Bran Kornmann, were ready for a little revenge and controlled the possession early. Harpeth led 10-0 at the break, but it was kept 10-0 when Ravenwood flyhalf Jesse Boone charged down the second conversion attempt.

The second half was more Ravenwood, as the Raptors struck quickly with four tries. Wing Malcolm Easley scored two, while outside center Andrew Rappé and scrumhalf Tripp Waring also touched down. Ravenwood took the lead and held on to win 28-17.

The intensity and pressure of the Raptor attack by their forwards and the quick strike capability of their backs pushed them through for their 3rd state title in five years. The Raptors, having been to 5 straight Division I State Cup Finals, is only surpassed by the Brentwood High School teams from 2001 – 2006, who were in 6 straight Championship Finals winning 5 in-a-row during that time (2002 thru 2006).

Rappé and Dylan Dozier were stalwart in defense and in the attack at the centers. The starting quarterback for the 6A Football State Champions Raptors, Rappé will join Arkansas State to play rugby next year.  Jesse Boone’s defense and passing skills were consistently top notch, but it was his kicking that flipped the field and in securing all conversions for the Raptors to make a comeback all that more difficult for the Harlequins. Easley was MVP, and he and his fellow wing, Jack Smith, helped shut down the Harpeth perimeter attack.

Tanner Eatherly (University of Kentucky commitment) and Noah Wood at led from the front at prop, while Sebastian Potgieter, Jace Walters, and Tory Griffin were outstanding in recycling possession at the breakdown.