Okapi Wanderers won the Florida Region 2 Boys HS championship Saturday, scoring on the final play of the game to edged St. Thomas Aquinas 26-24.

In a game that was certainly closer than Okapi expected, St. Thomas could not be shaken, and in fact led with time almost up.

“They had a good plan to disrupt our flow and executed that pretty well,” said Okapi Head Coach Gavin McLeavy. “Our guys kept at it.”

St. Thomas led 24-21 late in the game, and in fact the Okapi coaches through time was up. However, the referee said there was time enough for the restart. Okapi kicked off, won the ball, and worked their way slowly down to the St. Thomas line. And then, finally, wing Agustin Hays, on as an impact sub, where he’s been effective all season, slid over for the try.

That was it, no time left, and Okapi had won.

Okapi got a big game from No. 8 Jack Freixa, but McLeavy said the big part was how the entire team retained their composure.

“There was a lot of emotion on the sideline after the game, but they kept it together at the end of the game, and I’m very proud of them.”

The Wanderers are now the Florida Youth Rugby South champions. Both Okapi and St. Thomas will advance to the statewide semis, with Okapi playing Orlando and St. Thomas playing Tampa. Tampa beat Orlando 35-14 Saturday in the Region 1 (North), final.