“They were a physical team,” said Xavier senior lock Hanoi Nelson describing Staples High School after a match played in slippery conditions at Aviator Field in Brooklyn. “They ran at us hard, wouldn’t go down easy, and they tested our grit.”
Although the Knights scored a 39-12 victory over the Connecticut state champs and perennial rugby powerhouse, there was nothing but admiration for the Staples Wreckers who brought the Knights their biggest physical challenge of the season.
“We knew they were a big team ... and they certainly were,” said Xavier head coach Greg Norris. “And we also knew with their size and level of coaching that we needed to treat them with respect.”
Assistant coach Ski Bailey agreed. “They had a large and formidable pack that wasn’t afraid to grind us down up front. It took us a while to adjust in the breakdown,” Bailey said “but ultimately, our ability to take away their lineout, thanks to varsity debutant Malachi Young and the Xavier forwards, gave us an edge in a vital aspect of the game.”
Xavier’s first try came nine minutes into the match, as senior center and captain Max Wyckoff crossed the tryline. Wyckoff scored again four minutes later. That was followed by tries from flanker Frank Ancona and center Connor Gangemi, whose conversion kick made it 22-0 to Xavier 30 minutes in. The third try was one that Xavier battled for. According to Nelson, the Knights pushed at the goal line in the face of a tough Staples defense.
“It was pick-and-go, we kept running it at them, and it took at least 2-3 minutes to get the ball in there. It was brutal, but when we scored it was satisfying.”
For Staples, there were several bright spots in this their first game of the season. Flyhalf Mattius Bassler commanded the field well and kicked with intelligence. He worked well with his outstanding center pairing of Kody Goldman and Brady Dennett. Goldman and Dennett caused Xavier difficulties with ball in hand and were tackling machines.
Staples also has Eddie van de Merwe, who can play every forward position and repeatedly breaks the gain line. And big runner Khalil Thomas is a human battering ram.
But Xavier was a little more polished, and more disciplined.
"Turnovers, two yellow cards from high tackles, and a few missed tackles from a few of our newer players, [meant] we did not fully play our best against what I think is the top team in the country," said Staples Head Coach Jack Corcoran. “Staples started off the game reacting and not taking control. Xavier hit the wide channels and folded faster on defense faster than Staples. That made the biggest difference in the game.”
Staples fullback Callum McLean, got one across the line right before the half. This left the score at 22-7 after Staples’ senior fly-half Mattius Bassler’s conversion kick went through the uprights.
