Alliance vs Austin Area

The Texas High School State Rugby Championships kicked off Saturday morning at Morton Ranch High School with fierce competition. Teams competed in three different categories: Under 17, under 19 Division I, and under 19 Division II. Each division sends four teams to test their skill and earn the title of state champions in their respected division.

All Semi-final games were played on Saturday and determined who will play for the championship title on Sunday. Competition begins Sunday morning and continues throughout the afternoon.

For the Division-I championship game it will be St. Thomas (12-1-1) vs Alliance (11-0), a club team from the Dallas/Forth Worth Area.

St. Thomas defeated Dallas Jesuit in a very close defensive battle. Roberto Laposse scored the only try of the game but the conversion failed. Nonetheless, the Eagles still captured the victory to secure their spot in the finals. The trip to the finals will be nothing new for the Eagles who have had very successful programs since starting in 1999 under the direction of current coach James Wolfinger.

The Eagles will have their hands full on Sunday as they face a tough Alliance team with a shortened roster. Center Michael Ramero, flanker Kellen Burke, and #8 position Chris Ferrante are in England competing with the U.S. National team.

Alliance breezed through the semi-final match up against Austin Area. Alliance dominated the game and earned a 33-0 victory.

“This is our best season we have ever had,” explained Alliance coach Doug Neubauer.
 
Alliance is coming into their own as a team who will be tough competitors in the Western Regionals.

“About half these kids have been playing together since they were 13,” said Neubauer. “They are just now getting to the size and experience they need to be to be tough competitors.”

Adam "Ozzie" Oswald was the leading scorer for Alliance with two tries.

Tomorrows match up should be an interesting one, but no matter who wins both teams have earned the opportunity to compete in the Western Regionals. The Wester Regionals will be held in Dallas and will consist of teams from several different states.

In the under 19 Division II championship, Kingwood will face the Woodlands starting at 11:30 a.m. Kingwood defeated Bishop Dunne 15-10 in overtime and the Woodlands stomped the Fort Worth Vikings 48-0.

The under 17 championship will be between Katy, who defeated the Texas Barbarians 52-10, and the Woodlands who beat Dallas Jesuit 10-5.

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