Marquette HS took the Boys HS Wisconsin final this past weekend, edging a tenacious Pulaski Roos side 21-17.
The Hilltoppers scored two times before 10 minutes were up and seemed to be, maybe, in control. But the Pulaski Roos came right back and Marquette Head Coach Colin Dillon said they caught his team unawares.
Marquette had to refocus on defense, but they were forced to absorb some big carriers among the Pulaski forwards. So the Hilltoppers made some adjustments, putting some key defenders on Pulaski’s more powerful runners, and, at halftime, deciding to put more pressure on the Roos’ halfback combo.
That resulted in a key play as pressure from center Evan Maier forced a turnover and Drew Schmlezer, a freshman filling in at lock, scooped the ball up to score. That was the key play, and the defense sealed a 21-17 win for Marquette.
“The trip to the All-Catholic Rugby Festival at SLUH has again shown that this team is more about the brotherhood and off-field connections than anything else,” said Dillon. “That weekend away to start the season allows the boys to connect and build trusting, supportive relationships that then translate to the pitch.”
