St. Ignatius won the Rugby Ohio Boys D1 HS championship, turning a 0-0 nailbitier into a 19-7 victory over St. Edward Saturday.

In a classically physical game, Ignatius won in part by simplifying the game plan and using their big runners to attack in close. But it wasn’t just about that, as several players made key plays in a game that could have gone either way.

Both teams had excellent chances to score in the first half. After a long period of pick-and-goes from the Ignatius forwards. Wing Sean O’Brien stretched over the line only to have his arms hit as he made the reach. Ball lost forward, no try.

St. Edward had a long period of pressure and passed up a possible shot at the posts to go for the try, but the Ignatius defense held on.

Then, perhaps, a key play. Edward scrumhalf Jack Ginley, who had left earlier to get a sounder head wrapped up, dumped his way through the line and was off under the posts. Wing Declan Boldy chased and just as Ginly dove to score, Boldy tackled the scrumhalf and flipped him over so he couldn’t touch the ball down.

Rugby Ohio Finals On-Demand on FloRugby.

Wild Second Half

That was the last play of the first half, and a big one, as St Edward, instead of changing ends up 7-0, was still tied.

Ignatius scored early in the second half, punishing St. Edward penalties and then pounding the line before flanker Tommy Gill finished it off.

That made it 5-0, and then more forward pressure opened up just enough space for center Mike Mangan to charge over. Up 12-0, Ignatius wasn’t out of the woods. A grubber ahead that spelled all kinds of problems for Ignatius. But, with the St. Edward backs on the chase, prop Carlieon Felder charged back and somehow beat Jimmy Riley to the ball and saved a try.

Edward did finally get on the board with a snappy run from center Eamonn Carr. But right after the restart, an Ignatius kick ahead was partially blocked. That put everyone onside, and Ignatius hooker Josh Dinya understood the situation perfectly. He grabbed the ball, took off forward, and linked with Fielding Carlson to put No. 8 John Stuhldreher in at the corner. That was the killer blow, and Ignatius held on after that.

It was a classic, as usual, between these two.

Girls D1, Boys D2

Meanwhile, in Girls D1 Tacoria Mitchell scored six tries and Walnut Hills produced a strong-minded performance to beat St. Joe’s Academy 44-19. Destini McGee at prop and lock Madison Kesler also played big for Walnut Hills.

In Boys D2, the speedy Toledo Celts ran out to a 22-5 lead with Dominique McClain scoring the first try and having a big day as a prop fast enough to play n the wing, and wing Perrion Jones toted Avon Lake repeatedly.

But patience is a virtue and Avon Lake slowly worked their forward-oriented game. Toledo got impatient, started committing penalties, and with scrumhalf Ethan Kreuger running the attack nicely, Avon Lake came back to win it 24-22.

All of these games can be seen On-Demand on FloRugby.