Jays Compete in Jesuit Dallas Rugby Showdown

Sam Clutter (center) takes on a Katy ball carrier. In the background, from left to right: junior Josh West, senior Tony Celano, junior Will Waguespack, senior Josh Mackles, and junior Scott Derbes (4). Photo courtesy of Eric Derbes ’83 and Michael Ellis ’88.
The rugby team traveled to Texas last weekend to play in the Jesuit Dallas Rugby Showdown. The eight team field included four Jesuit High School teams, two Catholic schools from Canada, and two nationally ranked Club Rugby teams.
The Jays were short some key players and lost a few more to injury, but spurred on by the support of each other, their coaches, and a large group of family members who made the trip, the Jays finished 1-2 against stiff competition. To add to their challenge, Jesuit drew the tougher side of the bracket.
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Blue Jays Fall to Colorado Springs, 19-7
In their first match, the Blue Jays fell to the Colorado Springs Grizzlies, 19-7, in a hotly-contested match. Colorado Springs jumped on the Jays early, but the team refused to participate in a route and stood toe-to-toe with a physical, experienced club team. As the match wound down, the Jays were moving down the pitch and threatening another score.
Jays Top Strake Jesuit, 14-10
Strake Jesuit from Houston was the second opponent for the Jays. A confident Strake team grabbed the lead, 5-0, with an early try. The conversion attempt was no good. With time running out in the first half, as Strake was penetrating deep into Blue Jay territory, freshman Gabe Massey turned things around by scoring on an 80-yard run off of a turnover. His try, along with junior Scott Derbes’ conversion, gave the Jays a 7-5 lead.
After Strake scored to take the lead back, Jesuit scored another try when Senior Josh Mackles fought his way over the goal line. Derbes’ conversion was on the mark and the Jays were in the lead again. With grit, determination, and the vocal support of their fans, the Jays held off a furious late push by Strake to win 14-10. The victory was total team effort.
Jays Come Up Short Against Aggressive Katy Barbarians Club, 34-14
In their final match, Jesuit faced the big and aggressive Katy Barbarians club. The Jays lost 34-14, but earned their opponents respect. Jesuit refused to be intimidated and would not go quietly against an older, more experienced, and bigger opponent. The Jays’ tenacity frustrated the Barbarians who were coming off of a 68-0 victory against St. Maximillian Kolbe (Canada). Katy was issued yellow cards and penalties during the match. Despite the fierce intensity of the match, afterwards the teams gathered together under one of goalposts to take a group picture – a nice sign of sportsmanship between the two teams.
The experience of playing up to tough opponents should help the Blue Jays during playoffs time. At the end of the final match, Coach Jim Hotard gathered the players and their families for a team huddle and prayer on the field. Afterwards, Coach Hotard thanked the families for their support and thanked the players for playing with toughness and tremendous heart.
The team returns to the pitch on Saturday, March 21 when they take on Archbishop Shaw.
Galleries
Rugby, Jesuit Dallas Showdown, March 14, 2015
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Sophomore Jack Gab (C) hangs on as Case Ellis (#14) and Brian Nguyen (R) come to help. Nick Fresneda (L) and Matt Sevin (background center) in pursuit.
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As Will Waguespack fights for yards, Scott Derbes (left) comes in to help.
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Josh Mackles breaks through against Strake.
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The Blue Jays in a scrum against Strake Jesuit.
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Josh Mackles prepares to make a big impact.
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Nick Fresneda fights through a Strake defender.
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As Josh Eppling makes a tackle, other Blue Jays prepare to fight for the ball. From left to right, Nick Fresneda, Sam Clutter, Josh Mackles, and Will Waguespack.
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Scott Derbes kicks the ball to Strake Jesuit. Will Waguespack (L) prepares to attack.
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Case Ellis makes a textbook tackle as Brian Nguyen looks on.
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As Coach Jim Hotard (L) and Coach Adam Massey (R) look on, Joel Epling prepares to pass to a fellow Blue Jay.
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Sophomore Bryce Duffy breaks into the Strake defense.
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Joel Eppling (C) tosses the ball to Josh Mackles (R) who heads to the goal. Josh West (L) looks on.
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Will Waguespack fights for yards against Strake.
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With time running out in the first half, Gabe Massey takes off and outruns the entire Strake Jesuit of Houston team on an 80-yard run to score a try.
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Freshman Gabe Massey breaks away against the Colorado Springs Grizzlies. Junior Nick Fresneda (left) is in pursuit to assist.
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Josh West prepares to be lifted by Tony Celano for a line-out.
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With teamate Sam Clutter on the ground, Will Waguespack (C) and senior Josh Mackles (R) get defensive.
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Junior Josh West takes down a Barbarian with Nate Beech coming to assist.
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Sophomore Nate Beech hunts down a Katy ball carrier.
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As Brian Nguyen stumbles, sophomore Case Ellis takes on a Katy ball carrier. Gabe Massey (L) and sophomore Alex Tisdale prepare to support.
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Senior Matt Sevin tackles a Katy player.
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Gabe Massey (L) and junior Brian Nguyen (R) prepare to take on a Katy ball carrier.
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The Blue Rugby Team prepares to scrum against the Katy Barbarians Club Team.
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Sam Clutter (C) takes on a Katy ball carrier. In the background, from left to right: junior Josh West, senior Tony Celano, junior Will Waguespack, senior Josh Mackles, and junior Scott Derbes.
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Matt Sevin (L) and junior Scott Derbes (second from left) team to strip the ball from a Katy Barbarian player. Joel Eppling (in blue cap) and (#12) Gabe Massey close in.
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Sam Clutter (L) and Senior Matt Sevin #10 prepare the Blue Jays for battle.
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Gabe Massey makes a move on a Grizzlie defender.