Saint Martin’s Kingfishers Crush Aquinas 50-0 in Kansas State Final to Secure Threepeat

By Vincent Prezzia

In a monumental clash at Westwick Field in Lawrence, Kansas, Saint Martin’s Academy Kingfishers, the spirited underdogs, obliterated the formidable Aquinas 50-0 in the Kansas State Rugby Championship final, clinching their third consecutive state title—a historic threepeat. Senior captain Ethan Blakie led his tenacious squad with unyielding resolve, delivering bone-crushing tackles that set a ferocious tone, toppling Aquinas, who had edged them 12-10 just five weeks ago, and cementing their legacy as Kansas rugby’s defiant champions. As Saint Martin’s staff member Mr. Aidan Cyrus declared post-match, “Three’s a dynasty,” underscoring the magnitude of this triumph. The back three—Joseph Masny, “Silly Wizard,” JP Van De Ryt, and Will Van De Ryt—delivered stellar performances, with Will Van De Ryt masterfully dictating territory to fuel the Kingfishers’ attack.

The Kingfishers struck early, showcasing their resolve as flanker Luke Sapio powered over for the first try in the eighth minute, Will Van De Ryt’s conversion making it 7-0. The game’s defining moment followed in the tenth minute, a heart-stopping try line stand that epitomized their grit. Aquinas, hammering at the try line, seemed certain to score, but Will Van De Ryt heroically held the ball in the try zone, denying the try and forcing Aquinas back to the 5-meter line for a tap-and-go. Junior assistant captain Peter McDonald, a defensive mastermind despite a bum ankle, orchestrated a suffocating line, culminating in outside center Sam Egger’s crucial poach, stealing possession and igniting the crowd, cementing Saint Martin’s dominance. In the 26th minute, Senior JP Gallo surged over for the second try on a pick-and-go, and senior prop Ben Walsh followed, scoring the third try off a crafty tip ball from senior 8-man Finn Burch, who shone with powerful carries and bone-crushing tackles. Will Van De Ryt’s conversions pushed the lead to 21-0 at half-time. Masny’s cunning defensive reads kept Aquinas’ wings pinned. At the same time, senior lock Prosper Owen and sophomore flanker Vince Lima delivered thunderous tackles, joined by Burch, Gallo, and senior captain Blakie’s relentless pursuit. Senior scrum-half Robbie Ritson, a tactical genius, orchestrated the attack with pinpoint passes and relentless energy.

The second half was a relentless onslaught. Mulholland crashed through for a try in the 43rd minute, Van De Ryt’s conversion hitting 28-0. JP Van De Ryt powered over for a score, Van De Ryt’s conversion making it 35-0. Senior lock Prosper Owen powered over for a try to make it 42-0. This was followed by Will Van De Ryt slotting a penalty kick to make it 45-0. Substitute prop Henry Schafer sealed the rout with a try in the 63rd minute, Van De Ryt’s conversion making it 50-0, though his final kick drifted wide—the only blemish on his stellar day. The final 15 minutes became a heartfelt tribute, as all of Saint Martin’s varsity seniors—Blakie, Mulholand, Walsh, Owen, Burch, Ritson, Gallo, Pluta, Schofield, Ellis, and Nordhus—took the field. Berkeley Nordhus, who had suffered a season-ending knee injury but coached tirelessly all year, made an emotional return, a testament to the team’s brotherhood. Aquinas, their earlier victory erased, lay vanquished by the Kingfishers’ ferocity. Sam Egger’s relentless pressure and Will Van De Ryt's strategic guile kept Aquinas pinned, while the Kingfishers’ unity shone.

This triumph was a testament to heart over hubris—Blakie’s steadfast leadership and bone-crushing tackles, Ritson’s brilliant scrum-half play, Mulholland’s dynamic spark, McDonald’s defensive genius despite injury, the back three’s brilliance with Masny’s cunning, JP Van De Ryt’s all-around excellence, and Will Van De Ryt’s territorial mastery, paired with the tackling ferocity of Owen, Walsh, Lima, Burch, Gallo, and the senior grit of Nordhus, Pluta, Schofield, and Ellis, forged a squad that felled a titan. Egger’s poach and the try line stand epitomized their resolve. The 50-0 scoreline crowned Saint Martin’s threepeat with unyielding authority, proving their mettle against a foe who once bested them. As the season closed with the championship in hand, the Kingfishers stood as Kansas rugby’s undisputed dynasty, their brotherhood—woven in jest and valor—a beacon of unity that conquered the mightiest odds.