DEFENDING STATE CHAMPS SHOWDOWN!
The defending Kansas State Champs taking on the Oklahoma State Champions was a day people had circled on the calendar, and for Kingfisher Nation, it did not disappoint! Being the last game before a long Easter break, and still stung by the loss to Aquinas, the boys were ready to start making amends.
With a typical Kansas windy day not favoring any side in particular, the game began and it became clear that St. Martin’s would be the aggressors. About 8 minutes into the game after a few phases of play by the forwards, scrum-half Daniel Ellis - his debut start for Varsity - quickly whipped the ball to Patrick Muholland who attacked the Bixby line effectively and dished the ball to Sam Egger making a speedy run through a gap, scoring a try. Inside-Centre Will Van De Ryt would promptly knock the conversion kick through. He continued to have a very busy day in the kicking game including a 50-22.
Regaining possession minutes later, the forward pods would show the fruits of their efforts by capitalizing on a few cheeky offloads, with prop Colin Egger receiving the latter of them, punching in a try. Moments later however, some miscommunication by the backs caused an errant pass to be picked off by an aware Bixby winger, who would end up going the distance to strike back at the Kingfishers.
A particular theme throughout the game was the jackaling game for St. Martins, especially Prosper Owen who found himself constantly causing strife for the Bixby breakdowns. He would go on to create over 5 turnovers. W. Van De Ryt would punch a 3-pt conversion off one of these penalties making the score 15-7.
Once again, poor execution would see another pass intercepted by Bixby for another try. The boys would rebound well and some creative adjustment on the wings would see J.P Van De Ryt (good grief these Van De Ryt kids…) blaze down the sideline for a score of his own right before half.
22-14 at the beginning of the 2nd half, the Kingfishers looked to put the game away, and they did just that. Not wasting any time, they marched downfield where fly-half Muholland would set Sam Egger again. He darted and weaved through defenders on an incredible individual effort for a try, which W. Van De Ryt would convert. After the kickoff, Muholland pulled an absolute work of art, attacking the line faking a pass outside and inside, he created a massive hole to run in and broke away for 40m. Finn Maher scored four phases later as the boys worked the ball wide.
The foot was completely on the accelerator at this point. A lineout for Bixby near their try-zone would prove lethal as it was stolen and Finn Burch received the ball and a careening run into the sea of defenders would find himself on the board for a try (41-14). Centre Sam Egger would touch the ball down for a 3rd try (could the prophecy be fulfilled?) after another forward pod effort. Berkeley Nordhus would also find the try-zone moments later. Prop Gabe Klassen was another player to get a Varsity start as the squad has been plagued with some injuries and absences. He certainly made an impression as he scored a try of his own as well as two 40m+ runs, resulting in havoc for Bixby. J.P Van De Ryt (this is getting ridiculous now), after some lovely work by lock Ethan Blakie, would score his second and his brother Will would convert. Two minutes later the referee blew the final whistle with the score finishing at an astonishing 67-14. Sam Egger led the day with 3 tries, (No prophecy today, we anxiously await the day… if any questions about the prophecy, send us an email with: #PROPHECY) as the whole squad seemed to have found their form. The boys will have gained some confidence going into Easter knowing league play will take place with States and Nationals soon to come!
Man of the Match: Will Van De Ryt
