On Wed, Apr 19 th , the boys’ rugby team, finally, would begin their State Title defense. Hosting
Catholic rugby (Catholic Central, West Catholic), Coach Todd Beaudoin led 27 of his charges (13 Sr) to
Roguewood, to try to get win number 2, having beaten Portage, the week prior, 29-7. Waiting for them
were Coach Gent’s Rams, fresh off a tough Nashville weekend, chomping at the bit to get a much sought
after victory. Rockford’s first game, you’ll remember, was a forfeiture by TC Alliance, in Week 1.

Early on, the home club, R1, used two gritty drives, to go up 14-0. Tries (5 pts) by Jake Tomasko
(Sr), and Calvin Schwandt (Sr) started the scoring. Dawson Hovingh (Sr) made both conversions (2 pts).
Catholic’s Dom Inbody was able to use a quick strike in retaliation. However, Joey Petz’ conversion was
No Good, making the score, 14-5. With 2 minutes remaining in the half (30 mins), the Rams struck again,
after nearly 10-12 mins of both teams battling back and forth, across the pitch, struggling to get a leg up.
The Rams, eventually, powered their way down the pitch, using short runs and ball control, allowing
Tomasko, again, to dive in for a try. With Hovingh’s 3 rd conversion, the home team went up 21-5. The
day’s skies were cloud filled, temps were cool, perfect for rugby, but there was that threat of rain. When
school officials arrived to announce the report of lightning in the area, the game was delayed, at that
point. As coaches, players, and fans retreated to their vehicles, the rain came. As the rain fell harder,
and lightning continuing to flash across the sky, the decision to delay the remainder of the contest was
agreed upon by the two coaches, postponed until Thursday eve.

Both teams arrived Thursday, with little having changed, weather-wise. The teams played a 32-
minute half, and under another cloudy sky, Rockford continued to dominate the scoreboard. Scoring his
first try, was Quinn Sharp (Jr), with Hovingh converting, 28-5. Tomasko got his 3 rd try of the game, but
Hovingh’s conversion, from a lengthy, severe angle, was No Good, 33-5. First year player, Rick Beison
(Sr) closed out the scoring in the contest, by gaining his first-ever try, as Hovingh made his last
conversion, making the final 40-5, in favor of the Rams.

The Catholic team agreed to hang around and play a friendly, vs our second team, R2, and as that half of rugby concluded, R2 bested the Catholic team 18-12. I’d like to thank Coach Beaudoin for bringing his boys up to play us, two days in a row. Next up for Catholic, is a match against Sparta, at home. R2 plays on Tues, April 25 th , at home, vs West Ottawa, reportedly on the Harv.

The next night, R1 gets set to host Forest Hills (Central, Northern, and Eastern),
also on The Harv, for Senior Night. Both games begin at 6pm. Please come out to watch this week, and
to acknowledge our graduating seniors. 

Steve Cadwell