Teams Chase Humboldt, Babson as Small College Playoffs Kick Off
Teams Chase Humboldt, Babson as Small College Playoffs Kick Off
The NCR Men's Small College championship might get itself a repeat champion.
That's not to say there isn't competition, but Cal Poly Humboldt has done what the Lumberjacks needed to do to show they can play. As readers know, GRR took a trip out to Arcata, Calif. to visit the team earlier this fall and attend their 50th Anniversary alumni celebrations. It was an impressive showing, with the unveiling of a scholarship program for existing players (men and women) and a nod to a current team that is very impressive.
The Lumberjacks have the most athletic front row in the small-college game and can score in a wide variety of ways. The big game, of course, was this past weekend with the Lumberjacks playing the Keelhaulers out of Cal Maritime. Humboldt won 36-7.
It was a close first half with Humboldt nursing a 7-0 lead thanks to a try from speedy winger Brian Wright. Cal Maritime was playing at home and were well-prepared for the Lumberjack attack. They started to work the phases and had a good set piece, and Cal Poly Humboldt was content to defense.
The Lumberjacks made some second-half adjustments. Used to play fast and open, Humboldt wanted to get back to that. Captain and No. 8 Late Kolopeaua had been out with a yellow card as the first half ended, but when he came back he provided both a spark and a calming influence. As we said, their front row is athletic and Isaac Khelo is part of that. He is fast and aggressive and very smart and scored four tries. Cal Maritime matched Humboldt for size, but Humboldt's pace and fitness was probably better.
Teams in Round of 16: Slippery Rock, Franciscan, VMI, Endicott, School of Mines, Catholic University, Babson, Springfield, Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Maritime, St. John's, Western Oregon
There are also eight teams slated for play-ins.
Babson won the New England championship, as expected, beating Holy Cross 38-10 in what was Babson's second-closest game of the season. What the Beavers have is a ton of height and some young players with good rugby experience. Combine that with good upperclassman knowledge in the backline and you have a team that could well be the national champion at the end of it all. Their closest game? Also against Holy Cross. Aside from the final and the 28-3 win vs Holy Cross, Babson outscored five other opponents 359-38, which is basically 72-8.
GRR caught up with Babson at the beginning of the season when they played a preseason game at AIC. This was the first outing for some of the players and the Beavers were still a work in progress, but despite the loss to the D1 Yellowjackets, it was plain they knew what they were doing.
Is anyone close to these two?
Here are some of the teams we're thinking might:
Western Oregon. Playing in the NCRC where they cross over with much larger opponents, WOU beat University of Oregon and then lost by two points to University of Washington. Like Humboldt, they play whatever teams they can find to play, and having also beaten Oregon State, the Wolves won't be intimidated.
VMI. Having been to a major final some years ago, VMI as a program knows what it takes to get there. This year they overcame mighty Christendom to win the Cardinals Conference, and their only loss all season was a close one to D2 University of Virginia. The Keydets beat Christendom this past weekend 39-21 to take the conference title, led by Dom Bloedorn's two tries and with Caleb Evans, Ryan McBride, and Noble Dodge scoring as well. Kenny Howerton added 14 with the boot—and actually that's telling. While Howerton converted only one try, he did slot four penalties and a team smart enough to take points in playoff rugby is smart enough to win. (photo Nathan Willis)
Endicott. The Colonial Coast champions has a really, really good defense. They averaged 60 points per game over their conference season, although that average is inflated by two 100-point games. What's notable is the 27 points they gave up. The Gulls won the conference this past weekend with a 34-7 defeat of Roger Williams, with Jordan Chappell continuing his excellent form with two tries, Matthew Bant getting work done, and Connor Fountain again leading the defensive effort.
Springfield College. For the third time Springfield won their conference, beating Southern Connecticut State. Paced by No. 8 Deuca Barnaby and scrumhalf Ajae Olsen, center Owen Coderre, and lock Jacques Desbiens. They, like Endicott, defend very well.
Catholic University. There was no playoff in the MARC, but instead a regular season and that's it. Catholic was hoping to finish 6-0 and instead lost their last game of the season to American University 24-22. But they did enough to edge Susquehanna for the conference title. Not a great ending, but this is a scrappy team that has had to fight a bit more than the others. So keep an eye on them.
