Sycamore rugby wins second straight state title

LEMONT –  It was fitting Sycamore senior Collin Quinn scored the match-winning try in a 29-22 overtime win over Downers Grove on Monday at the Chicago Blaze Rugby Club in Lemont.

A stocky-built 8-man, Quinn doesn't get many scoring opportunities. But his fourth try of the season secured the Spartans second consecutive Illinois Youth Rugby Association Tier 2 state title and typified the physical play Sycamore used in the come-from-behind win.

"I couldn't stand up after I scored because I was so excited and so happy," said Quinn, whose try was set up when wing Tim Hall kicked the ball 50 yards along the ground. "This was my last game. It's our bread-and-butter play to go straight ahead and be physical. That's how we've always played."

The Spartans (9-1) winning try came with D.J. Yunek in the sin bin because of a penalty.

"Scoring one man down is like racing on one leg against two-legged guys," Sycamore coach Mark Lancaster said.

After struggling to maintain possessions in the first half, Sycamore trailed the Renegades (8-2), 10-7. In the second half, the Spartans repeatedly turned to their NASCAR play.

Unlike the sport where cars race at high speeds around an oval track, Sycamore's version of NASCAR is all about brute strength. The ball carrier runs to contact and players ruck over the ball immediately. Gradually the ball is gruelingly advanced.

"It recycles and recycles and recycles," Lancaster said. "Pretty soon they run out of gas. We didn't want to make long passes on a windy day. We wanted to play to our strengths."

Senior inside center David Lord added two tries – one on a 70-yard interception – and Jared Tansley had a try.

"I saw it the entire way," said Lord of his second-half interception return try that gave Sycamore a 22-15 lead. "That's the first time I've scored a try like that."

But the Renegades tied the match at 22 late in the second half with their man advantage.

"We have a ton of athletic guys," senior Sam Campuzano said."I knew once we got to overtime we could get the win. We can keep going all day and we showed it. It's fun to play NASCAR; it's just full contact."

Trevor Cervenka was 4-for-4 on conversion kicks. His final kick sailed through the uprights in overtime for the final margin while Downers Grove tried to ice him with a pair of lengthy injuries. 

"Every time play was stopped before I had to kick I got more nervous," Cervenka said. "I've played soccer for 14 years, though, and just kicked it. We knew we could win this match. Our game is get the ball, move fast and keep going. If they don't have time to rest and we are in shape we can win, no matter what."