Brock Yoho '16 aids USA Rugby South in RAN U19 Championship win
With former Saint Ignatius Rugby standout Brock Yoho '16 contributing as one of Head Coach Mark Williams' "impact guys," the USA Rugby South Panthers defeat Mexico, 25-10, in Saturday evening's Rugby Americas North U19 Championship Match
From Vizcaya Park in Miramar, Florida - The USA U19 Panthers, under the direction of veteran Head Coach Mark Williams, brought home their first Rugby Americas North Championship after being defeated by Mexico in the RAN tournament the past two seasons.
With offensive/defensive standout Andrew Rappe and offensive weapons Calvin Gentry and Malcolm Easley keeping Mexico occupied throughout the match, and Coach Williams' big fresh-leg bangers (Brock Yoho and Co.) controlling the back line of Mexico, the USA Rugby South Panthers powered their way to a 25-10 lead with 10 minutes remaining to be played.
Also supplying some firepower was Josh Ingles, as a kick ahead bounced back and Josh was there to grab it and go 50 meters for the try.
The South Panthers took the momentum on the opening kickoff after a penalty was called on Mexico and Sean O'Driscoll slotted the kick for a 3-0 lead.
Mexico appeared to close to 25-15 down the stretch, but a penalty for a foul play (illegal use of the boot) wiped out the try and the USA U19 Panthers settled the issue with their superior strength and will.
In the words of Coach Williams to the video and television media following the match, "They wanted it today!"
Coach Williams also emphasized to the media that the roles players like Yoho and the other fresh-leg bangers provide is not what you call a substitute role, but rather an "impact" role.
The USA Rugby South U19 Panthers advanced to Saturday evening's RAN Championship match by defeating Bermuda, 41-0, on July 9th and rallying to a 24-23 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday night.
Mexico earned another title match appearance by dominating the Turks & Caicos last weekend and wearing down the Cayman Islands, 26-10, on Wednesday.
As we wrote in other reports on the corner over the past few weeks, Brock, after being unable to attend the tryouts in Atlanta, earned a spot on the USA Rugby South Panthers' roster by making the effort to send in films of his high school play at Saint Ignatius to Coach Williams.
May God Bless Brock in all of his future endeavors, as he will be furthering his education and athletic career at The University of Kentucky.
And congrats from this corner to Coach Williams' tough-minded and talented USA Rugby South U19 Panthers for doing the nation proud.
With offensive/defensive standout Andrew Rappe and offensive weapons Calvin Gentry and Malcolm Easley keeping Mexico occupied throughout the match, and Coach Williams' big fresh-leg bangers (Brock Yoho and Co.) controlling the back line of Mexico, the USA Rugby South Panthers powered their way to a 25-10 lead with 10 minutes remaining to be played.
Also supplying some firepower was Josh Ingles, as a kick ahead bounced back and Josh was there to grab it and go 50 meters for the try.
The South Panthers took the momentum on the opening kickoff after a penalty was called on Mexico and Sean O'Driscoll slotted the kick for a 3-0 lead.
Mexico appeared to close to 25-15 down the stretch, but a penalty for a foul play (illegal use of the boot) wiped out the try and the USA U19 Panthers settled the issue with their superior strength and will.
In the words of Coach Williams to the video and television media following the match, "They wanted it today!"
Coach Williams also emphasized to the media that the roles players like Yoho and the other fresh-leg bangers provide is not what you call a substitute role, but rather an "impact" role.
The USA Rugby South U19 Panthers advanced to Saturday evening's RAN Championship match by defeating Bermuda, 41-0, on July 9th and rallying to a 24-23 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday night.
Mexico earned another title match appearance by dominating the Turks & Caicos last weekend and wearing down the Cayman Islands, 26-10, on Wednesday.
As we wrote in other reports on the corner over the past few weeks, Brock, after being unable to attend the tryouts in Atlanta, earned a spot on the USA Rugby South Panthers' roster by making the effort to send in films of his high school play at Saint Ignatius to Coach Williams.
May God Bless Brock in all of his future endeavors, as he will be furthering his education and athletic career at The University of Kentucky.
And congrats from this corner to Coach Williams' tough-minded and talented USA Rugby South U19 Panthers for doing the nation proud.