St. Thomas’ boys rugby team played Saturday like it had the energy for two games.

Considering its first-round playoff game was canceled because its opponent opted not to make the trip from Dallas, maybe the Eagles did.

They scored three times within the first five minutes of their state semifinal against Strake Jesuit, rolling to a 65-0 whitewashing of a win and into the state championship against Dallas Jesuit (17-0) at 2 p.m. Sunday at Strake Jesuit’s football stadium.

Andres Diaz, Byron Henry scored tries and Conor Mills added a free kick to make it 15-0 practically before anyone broke a sweat to ensure St. Thomas another chance at its first state title since 2002.

“That’s part of the key when you’re in a tournament,” St. Thomas (12-4) coach Jim Wolfinger said. “In the past there have been times when we’ve come out a little bit slow … and those turned into losses. We just said we were playing our game and we did from the start.”

Mills and Henry scored two tries apiece for the Eagles.

“We knew they were going to try and pound it inside and we knew our skill was outside,” Mills said. “We just tried to get it wide every chance we could and it paid off today.”

St. Thomas defeated Strake Jesuit 39-0 in both teams’ regular-season finale April 11.

Saturday, it was 32-0 at halftime.

Anthony Dhiel scored late in the first half, then Thomas Glover and Matthew Tibeletti among others added second-half tries.

“We had a bunch of guys back this week and finally had everybody in their right positions. It helped a lot with the team chemistry,” Mills said. “We finally got Byron back after his shoulder injury and he had two tries today. It’s been huge.”

The game capped the Crusaders’ first season of rugby. They already have been invited back next year as the school’s 13th varsity sport.

Dallas Jesuit punched its ticket into the title game by routing Westside 38-7 in the first semifinal.

Six players scored one try each for the Rangers, who improved to 17-0 and are seeking their first state championship since 2001 – the last time they appeared in the final.

Phillip Roath led the Rangers with 13 points, one try and four conversions.

“We scored in the first 1:30 of the game, added another one a few minutes later and we just played consistent rugby from there,” said Dallas Jesuit coach Anthony Mattacchione, whose team has 16 seniors. “Sometimes it takes a while for us to get going but not today.”

St. Thomas defeated Dallas Jesuit 5-0 in the semifinals last year, then lost in the championship game.

“We’ve had epic battles with them since the beginning of the team,” Wolfinger said. “They’ve actually been around a little bit longer than we have. Every game we’ve played with them over the years has been a very tight affair.”

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