TENNESSEE HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY
2009 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Official Brackets | Competition Overview
May 9 & 10, 2009 ( MTSU Rugby Facility, Murfreesboro, TN) THSR State Commissioner Mark Williams provides the following summary and official results from this past weekend's Tennessee High School Rugby State Championship Tournament.
Despite wet then muddy conditions the 2009 THSR State Championships played on. The tournament was very nearly cancelled due to concerns from MTSU officials over the amount of rain and drainage issues on the sports club fields. After some tense discussions the tournament was approved to continue but was restricted to the “mud- field”. Early Saturday morning a flash flood watch was issued when a nasty front with lightening skirted just north of MTSU. The radar showed more weather approaching but luckily only light rain appeared. While I know no one would prefer the sloppy conditions I can only imagine the issues that would have arisen should the tournament in part or in whole have to be rescheduled.
THSR National Guard Boys Cup Championship
Champion – Father Ryan
National Guard MVP Award – Mark Mulloy (#8)
Semifinals - Saturday, May 9
Brighton 12
Father Ryan 31
Brighton despite losing the majority of last year’s 2008 Championship team to graduation returned as WEST Conference Champions. Father Ryan came out strong and maintained constant pressure on Brighton which resulted the semi-final victory.
Maryville 22
Houston 0
The Maryville back row dominated loose play and lead their team to victory. Houston played hard till the end and narrowly missed opportunities to score.
Final - Sunday, May 10
Father Ryan 29
Maryville 7
Father Ryan set the tone early with physical and organized defensive play. The Irish support play and hard running made them difficult to stop. Maryville countered with some tough play and were rewarded with a converted try in the second-half, but Father Ryan was dominant throughout the weekend. They were clearly the best team and earned the CUP CHAMPIONSHIP for the second time in three years.
THSR National Guard Girls Cup Championship
Champion – Maryville
National Guard MVP Award – Candace Barley (#10)
Semifinals - Saturday, May 09
Maryville 31
Brighton 0
The Maryville Girls team set the tone in the first few minutes of the tournament and never looked back. Brighton girls played hard but it was difficult to stop the Maryville Machine. Even in the sloppy conditions Maryville moved the ball with ease and demonstrated a higher level of play.
Ravenwood 19
Karns 0
Ravenwood support play and some dynamic running allowed them to find space and score points. Karns was physical and applied heavy pressure but the Ravenwood defense held firm.
Final - Sunday, May 10
Maryville 32
Ravenwood 7
Maryville demonstrated why they are one of the best girls teams in the country as they easily outpaced the Ravenwood girls. Maryville dominated all phases of play and it was an overall team victory. Not only were their star players performing at their usual high level but the entire team was hitting on all cylinders. They could run in four-wheel drive in muddy conditions and like a race car when the ball went wide.
MARYVILLE shall travel to Pittsburg were they will represent the South in the USA National Championships. Everyone in Tennessee wishes them all the best. This is a special team and they have the talent, coaching and desire to win it all! Go for it GIRLS!!!!!
THSR Boys Bowl Championship
Champion – Ravenwood
MVP Award – Adam Tetzlaff (#10)
Semifinals - Saturday, May 09
Ravenwood 14
Arlington 0
Ravenwood support play and overall speed allowed them to find the try zone. Arlington making their first appearance at the state played tough throughout but could not convert opportunities into points.
Karns 12
Oakland 10
This was one probably the best match of the day on Saturday as these two teams slugged it out. The lead changed hands several times and Oakland held the lead late into the game. Karns mounted a drive that lead to the game winning try on the last play of the game.
Final - Sunday, May 10
Ravenwood 12
Karns 7
Double Overtime sudden-death
This was the most exciting game of the entire tournament as these two teams slugged it out in the “Mud-Bowl”. There were multiple goal line stands and several would-be tries for both teams. Late into the second-half Karns applied heavy pressure for several minutes and finally scored the game’s first try. Minutes later Ravenwood found the try zone and leveled the score. The game remained tied until the end and remained tied into the second sudden-death overtime. The final score came when a Ravenwood player kicked a loose-ball forward and was taken down as he pursued it into the try zone. It was hard to see either team loose as both teams played hard throughout the entire game.
THSR Boys Plate Championship
Champion – South Cheatham
MVP Award – Justin Cox (#10)
Semifinals - Saturday, May 09
Brentwood 22
Germantown 0
In the first game of the day on Saturday Brentwood took on their usual form finding space to run and providing support play to score points. Germantown making their first appearance in the state played hard but could not match the Brentwood size and speed.
Farragut 10
South Cheatham 17
This was one of the best games on Saturday as the newly formed South Cheatham Springboks took on Farragut a veteran program that is always well-coached. This game went back and forth but in the end the enthusiastic Springboks a hard-fought victory.
Final - Sunday, May 10
Brentwood 0
South Cheatham 12
It was an all Middle Tennessee Plate Final as the new kid on the block took on the old powerhouse program. The Springboks are an enthusiastic bunch from beginning to end. While Brentwood put together some organized sustained play they could not penetrate the physical size and hard-nosed play of South Cheatham to score. The Springboks remained patient and when opportunities came they were able to convert opportunities into points.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL TEAMS & PLAYERS for making it to the STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS and for displaying overall good sportsmanship in adverse conditions. This year may be remembered by many as the mud-bowl or pig-pen, but for those teams that achieved their goal it will always be great memory.
Thanks to:
MTSU Sports Club Officials for allowing us to play on.
The NATIONAL GUARD -- For its sponsorship of the Boys and Girls Cup and MVP!
MTSU Rugby – The players slopped through the mud to set-up and run touch. The alumni helped in overall organization and set-up in difficult conditions.
Thanks to everyone who endured the sloppy conditions. While we all wish things could have been better – I think most people realize it could have been worse. In nine years we have never had to re-schedule this event. Trying to schedule a high school event in late April or May for 16 teams will always have a conflict and when things have to be rescheduled who knows how many graduations, proms, etc would have conflicted with a new date.
Based on this year’s results and following precedence from previous years the following brackets are for the 2010 Competition to be held either the weekend of May 8th or 15th to be finalized by the State Commissioner and Conference Directors.
THSR 2010 Competition Brackets and Schedule
BOYS CUP:
Saturday May
MT # 1 vs West #1 – 4:30 PM
SMAC # 1 vs MT # 2 – 5:45 PM
Sunday May – Finals 1:00 PM
GIRLS CUP:
Saturday May
SMAC#1 vs West #1 – 2:00 PM
MT # 1 vs SMAC #2 – 3:15 PM
Sunday May – Finals 11:40 AM
BOYS BOWL:
Saturday May
MT #3 vs West #2 – 11:30 AM
MT # 4 vs SMAC #2 – 12:45 PM
Sunday May – Finals 10:20 AM
BOYS PLATE:
Saturday May
MT #5 vs West #5 – 9:00 AM
SMAC #5 vs MT #6 – 10:15 AM
Sunday May – Finals 9:00 AM |
