The unofficial fall championship comes down the Saturday she ACRC #1 Army (8-0) takes on Life University (2013-14 DIA runners up) as part of the ACRC Bowl Series.

 

For Army, it’s the latest challenge in a series of tough games that saw them win close games against Air Force, Kutztown, and Penn State, to name a few. Those close games, perhaps a function of how young the West Point team is, have helped hone a squad that doesn’t wilt under pressure.

 

“Some of the games maybe we closer than they should have been,” said Army Head Coach Mike Mahan, who moved some players around this fall as he tried to provide as much game time as possible to the squad. 

 

Tat meant sometimes putting young players in tight situations. Somehow, thanks in part to the leadership of Collum Magee (who is probably the most valuable player not only in the Rugby East, but the entire ACRC group of conferences) and Ben Foley, those players pulled it off.

 

Going into this weekend’s clash with Life, the Black Knights are focussed. 

 

“We’re looking good,” said Mahan. “We’re working on being more consistent and working on the  basics. Look at Life; they just do the basics very well and we’re expecting to learn a lot about ourselves this weekend.”

 

Life, meanwhile, has not really been playing as a full A-side undergraduate team all fall, but that’s not too much of a problem, given that the men’s team, Elite Training Squad, college team, and JV college team all play the same pattern.

 

Head Coach Dan Payne, who will move up to Athletic Director after this game, said it’s an honor to just play West Point.

 

“For us it’s not just a rugby game, but playing these military academies allows us to recognize that what these guys mean to our own security, and our future,” said Payne. “Rugby is the reason we get to share this time with them, and we want to be developing future leaders. I know Army is.”

 

As far as the rugby goes, said Payne, “every Army team is made up of hard-nosed players who are committed to their systems. On offense or defense, they know only one way, and that’s to go forward.”

 

This game marks the beginning of the end for the first Life recruits. Players such as Paris Hollis, Glen Maricelli, and Jake McFadden are the players who joined the program give years ago and now enter their final season. They are augmented by exciting youngsters such as Harley Davidson, Marcus Walsh at scrumhalf,  and Blane McIlroy at flyhalf. 

The cash between Hollis and Aemy prop Dave Evans up front and in the trenches will be a highlight of this game. 

 

Life should have a solid fan base given that as many as five of their game-day squad are from Charlotte, NC, where the ACRC Bowl Series will be held.

 

Army has a few North Carolinans on their roster also. But in the end this will be  a massive clash between two teams that like to be physical, are skilled, and don’t back down when things get tough.

 

Notes: The ACRC Bowl Games will be webcast- We are finalizing details, but Goff Rugby Report will host the games on our Youtube Channel. Stay tuned for final details.