In a game of tremendous drama, the Royal Irish won their third national high school club title in the last four years, using an inspiring defensive stand to hold off Granite Bay 21-15 Saturday at the Rugby Athletic Center in Charlotte, NC.

Photos by Steven Lagorio. Click on image to enlarge.

The game certainly seemed to be one of contrasts, with the Royal Irish looking to exert dominance in the pack, and Granite Bay looking to run and gun. Granite Bay took an early lead on a Matt Rogers penalty kick. They pushed their advantage after that, making the Royal Irish defense chase them and forcing a couple of penalties. From one penalty, they kicked for a lineout and mauled the ball further toward the Royal Irish line. The Grizzlies then sent the ball out and on the wing was hooker Sterling Hulsebus went over to make it 8-0.

Royal Irish started to get things going, and with a little possession certainly asked questions of the Granite Bay defense. HS All American flyhalf Brian Hannon showed why he is at that level. The Irish defensive pressure created a turnover in the Granite Bay 22. Then after a couple of short runs, Hannon got the ball and was seemingly stood up by the Granite Bay defense. But the flyhalf stretch over the line just before he was put into touch, and got the ball down for the try. Moments later, it was Hannon again, sidestepping through the Granite Bay defense and in under the posts. Hannon converted both to put his side up 14-8.

Granite Bay appeared to have a try to reply. Superb work through the backs freed up wing Saia Luvalo, who beat his man and was away. But the pass to Luvalo was ruled forward - it certainly was a close call - and the try was called back. That would hurt the Californians.

After dodging that bullet, Royal Irish continued to exert pressure. While Granite Bay held for a time at their line, they appeared to give up a try when the ball squirted loose out of the back of the scrum. Irish flanker Drew Weimer dove onto the ball and it looked quite clear that he had grounded the ball. But the referee was blocked from view, and had to award a scrum to Royal Irish instead. This was fine for the Indianapolis team, as they were shoving Granite Bay the maximum 1.5 meters on every scrum. At this pack-down, Granite Bay was found guilty of backing out of the engagement, and the Royal Irish got a free kick, from which they scored easily as Hannon tapped and passed to big prop David Schroeder for the score.

That made it, with Hannon’s conversion, 21-8, which is how it stayed at halftime.

The second half was a completely different game, as it was all about Granite Bay trying to run in tries, and Royal Irish playing desperate defense. The back row of Weimer, Noah Schrader, and Kevin O’Hara, along with their midfield of Anthony LaRose and Kyle Hoeper did all they could to hold the line.

Granite Bay continued to push the attack, and perhaps the Grizzlies were a shade impatient, as they sent a few forced passes, and were sometimes a little flat in their attack line in open play. But they kept coming and finally sent one to center Tresten Keys, who beat five Royal Irish defenders to go over. With the Rogers conversion, it was now a one-try game at 21-15.

Granite Bay then threw everything at the Royal Irish, trying chiefly to get speedy fullback Sam Cusano through the line. The Royal Irish held. They made their tackles, and were the stronger in the breakdown, making Granite Bay’s recycling a shade slow, allowing the Royal Irish defense to reset.

Granite Bay passed up a couple of chances to kick for points on penalties, and just couldn’t break through. Late in the game a huge counter-ruck from the Royal Irish led the ball just lying there in their 22, and big prop Jimmy McGuinnon went on the run of his life to relieve pressure. Granite Bay came back, but Royal Irish’s defense was enough, and they won 21-15. 

It was a brave performance by the Irish, who came into the game somewhat beat up. For Granite Bay, it was another cruel loss to go with their Northern California final against Danville. They paid for not having quite enough beef up front, but also showcased some entertaining and exciting rugby.

Royal Irish did have the beef up front, but also benefited from a sterling effort from their loose forwards, especially Weimer, and some moments of brilliance by their flyhalf, Brian Hannon.

Royal Irish 21

Tries: Hannon 2, D. Schroeder 

Convs: Hannon 3

Granite Bay 15

Tries: Hulsebus, Keys

Convs: Rogers

Pens: Rogers

HS Club National Championships Final Day results and placements:

1. Royal Irish (21-15 over Granite Bay)

2. Granite Bay

3. United v West Shore

4. United v West Shore

5. KC Jr. Blues (48-21 over Orlando)

6. Orlando

7. South Doyle (32-21 over Phoenix Alpharetta)

8. Phoenix Alpharetta