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State Title Still Top Goal for Brunswick

  • 26 Apr 2021
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Rugby Ohio has been active since March but some teams have been more successful than others when it comes to actually playing games. Brunswick is off to a solid start and running two sides, but the Valkyries are anxiously await the next two weeks of competition, which brings Highland, Hudson and St. Joseph Academy to the pitch.

RELATED: Fixtures & Results: April 24-25

The Valkyries have a lot to look forward but it’s been tough to gain momentum into the regular season, as Covid-19 canceled or postponed four games in March.

“Although we have been doing well with managing risks, it still has that linger in the air wondering if your next game or practice is going to be canceled because of a case on the team or even another team,” Brunswick head coach Dan Prater explained. “It’s a bit nerve-racking with so many variables both in and out of our control that can severely unhinge the season.”

Fortunately, Brunswick was able to partake in a late-evolving tournament that coincided with an I.D. camp at Adrian College in Michigan. The varsity team beat Buffalo’s City Honors 36-5 and Indiana’s Warsaw 34-5, and then finished second to Charger Rugby Club (Ind.) in a 33-14 finale. On April 10, the top side opened up league play with 39-12 win against Cincinnati Walnut Hills 39-12 and followed last weekend with a 125-0 win against Mentor.


Photo: Patty Provance

Despite the limited number of games thus far, Brunswick is nursing several injuries to key veterans.

“However, this allowed some youngsters to step in and do really well,” Prater added. “Specifically, Isabekka Bryson has managed the game well at scrumhalf. Newcomer Lena Esposito is filling in at lock and has made a great jumper. Alexis Smerek is a utility back, playing anywhere from 9-15. Lastly, another newcomer, Isabella Gullatta, at either center or eight, has a very hard running approach to the game and uses her size well but still has moves typically reserved for wings or fullbacks.”

The team finds its power in the veteran pack and “has put on a clinic,” per Prater in the few competitions in which it has featured.

“One through eight, and the bench, have been terrific working as a unit this season and account for a large majority of our tries this season,” the coach praised. “Offensively the standouts have absolutely been the Helman twins, Brooke and Bri. They both have been dynamic in their attack and move extremely well for front row players. Defensively it is our flankers that have been carrying the work between Jayden Barr and Charlee McCormick. Both have been stellar with their tackles against much bigger opponents.”

Even though Covid-19 negatively impacted recruitment efforts, new talent arrived in the shape of standout freshman Marissa Hudson. She does damage from the wing and has scored in every contest. The back line, though balanced, is still syncing, and once the timing is worked out, the outside attack will really flourish.


Photo: Anna Burgess

“Competition seems pretty mixed this year. Several teams merged with others in order to stay afloat. Others you can see the numbers have dropped considerably,” Prater surveyed the field. “Ohio has seen its fair share of lopsided games as well. Hopefully, when the pandemic calms down we can see the continued growth and expansion of new teams in the next few seasons.”

Highland awaits this Sunday, May 2, and the team is a title contender. The Lady Buzzards just banked a 111-0 win against Hudson, following lopsided victories against Amherst, Mentor and Medina earlier in the regular season Highland has also tested itself outside of the state, traveling to West Virginia for a pair of games against a very good Charlotte Tigress. Those two pre-season losses provided valuable insight, as did a 31-7 win against Moon Area, the Pittsburg-area team that topped St. Joseph 62-15 in Ohio last weekend.

“It’ll be a very challenging two weeks managing the team’s health and facing the different challenges from those clubs,” Prater looked toward Highland, Hudson and St. Joseph. “All three have some very good speed in their backlines, which will definitely challenge our own as we tend to rely more on our strength and size to break lines instead of running around them.”

The regular season with take up most of May, and then the semifinals are set for May 29 in Obetz. On Saturday, June 5, state champions will be named.

“Our team goals are still the same regardless: Win the state,” Prater closed. “The chemistry on this club seems solid and their mindset is still on the title. We have a lot of seniors so it will be great to send them off with that.”

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