Battle of the titans: Rice vs. St. Charles
By Paul LaTour
They are the two most successful rugby programs in the state. The teams have combined for 10 iYRA Tier 1 state championships, including the past nine in a row.
Yet despite their annual jockeying for supremacy, the coaches at Brother Rice and St. Charles say there is no rivalry between the programs.
“I don’t know if it’s so much of a rivalry – we don’t see them that often,” St. Charles coach Jay Crawford said. “We do know they have more (titles) than us and we want to have more than them. So it’s not a rivalry like we have with someone like Naperville, but we’re definitely aware of them.”
How could anybody not be? The Crusaders are the defending state champions after winning five straight titles from 2002-06. Last year’s title run included a first-round victory over St. Charles, which had won the past two crowns.
The teams meet in the Tier 1 semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Brother Rice. The winner advances to the final on Memorial Day at 4 p.m. at the Blaze facility in Lemont.
Instead of being rivals, it seems the two programs treat each other with respect and admiration – two traits rarely found with two true rivals. The friendly relationship between the squads likely stems from the coaches.
“I don’t treat it differently than any other game,” said Crusaders coach Brian Gilmartin, who serves on the iYRA executive council with Crawford. “St. Charles is always a well-coached, well-prepared team. But I don’t put any more significance on this playoff game versus another one. We just have to out and take care of business.”
That’s been a good formula for the Crusaders even though they nearly stumbled in their quarterfinal win over Waubonsie Valley. Brother Rice won 24-0, but the final score was not indicative of how the match went.
The Warriors gave up a try in extra-time in the first half, and then came up empty on two surges early in the second half that would have changed the game’s complexion.
“The guys learned a little something from Waubonsie,” Gilmartin said. “We played them in the preseason and we beat them pretty handily. So (we) went into this game too relaxed. I could tell just from how (we) warmed up. Eventually we won out, but the guys woke up and realized they need to mentally prepare better for every one of these games.”
The Crusaders have relied on strong play from their backs this season. Gilmartin said the group might be the best set of backs he’s had at Brother Rice. They’ve also benefited from a deeper bench, which helped them overcome late season injuries and illness. But the team is rested and healthy now after having several regulars out of the starting lineup against Waubonsie, including captain and three-year starter Pat Sullivan.
St. Charles has also benefited from its depth this season. Crawford said he’s used 22 players in games on a regular basis all season. His junior-heavy club features only three seniors – David James, J.J. Yanni and Josh Spudich – and talented freshman Wes Pasholk.
But the real key to the club’s came during a late-season road trip to play in the Ohio Classic in Columbus, Ohio. In one game that Crawford said got chippy, he saw his players working together for the first time this season.
“We finally saw people sticking up for each other and trying to do it for their teammates,” Crawford said. “Rugby has got to be a team effort. That game you saw a development of the brotherhood needed for the game. That whole weekend we got the kind of bonding you can’t get from just showing up and playing a game or practicing.”
