Life travels across the country to face Cal in a rematch of last year’s D1A final, but don’t expect a replay—this game is a spectacle all its own.

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In 2018, Life did the unthinkable, not just beating Cal to take the Running Eagles’ third D1A championship in the last six years, but did so by 55 points. No US-based college team had ever beaten Cal by that much.

No one expects it to be the same situation this year.

“We’re aware that Cal is going to be ready for us and they’re going to be champing at the bit to get another shot, and that’s to be expected,” said Life head coach Colton Cariama. “We can’t be thinking about last year. We’re different. They’re different.”

Cal head coach Jack Clark is largely interested in talking about this season, not last season, and wisely instead points to what his team has had to deal with in 2019.

But, it’s not like that 2018 final didn’t happen.

“They’re a very physical side,” said Clark of Life. “We know that going in and what we’re in store for. So the players are prepared for that. We know we have to work hard to keep possession.”

Cal isn’t exactly immune to pressure. Witness last week where they needed a last-second try from Sam Cusano to overcome Saint Mary’s in the semifinal. After winning comfortably over most of their opposition, the Bears were certainly in danger of losing that game.

“We missed some opportunities,” said Clark. “In the second half we got in behind them four times—four really good chances—and found a way to make a hash of it. But fortunately we got one more shot, some good pass-catch and we were able to score.”

That score, however, was after several periods when Cal was up against its own try line, and forced a knock-on or managed to get out of it.

“Our defense was pretty good in spots,” said Clark, carefully. “We did miss a fair number of tackles, but we’re not alone in that. There are other teams in this competition whose defense is up to snuff. The guys worked hard and ground it out. But they’ve been under pressure before and handled it.”

Handling pressure is what it’s all about in the end. Teams have to stay in shape on defense and can’t get too cute with the ball on offense. Turnovers killed Cal last year, and for Life, they’ve played a whole season knowing turnovers can kill.

“I think what I took out of last week’s semi was the patience the guys showed,” said Cariaga. “They were very resilient and put in the effort, but it was the patience. Sometimes you hold on and everything looks closed off to you, but then it opens up.”

Analysis

Cal is a better team this year than last. The tight five is more powerful and that will translate into more secure possession throughout the game. The backs who were so young a couple of years ago are now experienced and hardened. The Christian Dyer vs Harley Wheeler clash, and the dueling fullbacks of Troy Lockyear and Mitch Wilson will be interesting to watch.

Other matchups? Justing Johnson vs Nic Mirhashem at flanker. Henry Poon vs Ryan Rees at scrumhalf. Jack Manzo vs Brian Mutanga at hooker. All are superb players who will match up well against each other.

Life physically controlled the 2018 final, and won't be able to in the same way again. Certainly the Running Eagles will try, and every point of contact will be a massive battle. This is where Life has week-to-week experience, and will be perfectly comfortable with a 17-14 scoreline with time running out.