Kiski Valley boys rugby peaking at right time

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 18, 2018 | 7:34 PM

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Leading up to the state semifinals, Kiski Valley rugby coach Seth Erwin saw several things he liked, but the Titans' mentality impressed him the most.

“You look at the guys while they're practicing, and they are loose,” Erwin said. “We're in the state semifinals, and these guys aren't nervous. I think that will help us, especially the experience that we have.”

The Titans aim to bring home the club's second state title, and that quest begins with a semifinal match against Elizabethtown at 3:45 p.m. Saturday at Cumberland Valley.

The winner advances to play the Narberth/Hempfield (District 3) winner in the state championship at 12:15 p.m. Sunday. Kiski Valley never has faced any of the other semifinalists.

The Titans (5-2) are coming off a 67-5 home win over Carlisle in the quarterfinals and believe they are playing well at the right time.

Another source of confidence is their experience in the state playoffs. Of the 19 players on the roster, 16 previously played for a state title. Luke Larko, the team captain, and Frank Poydence were on the 2016 team that won the state title. The other 14 played in at least one state title at the junior varsity level.

“They know it's a hard two days. It's tough playing back to back,” Erwin said. “They know that Saturday night ice baths are in the prescription and that they'll be getting up early on Sunday to do a workout to get ready. They know the plan. There's a business-like mentality going into the weekend.”

In previous years, Kiski Area's prom was on a Saturday, so players drove back and forth between the semifinals and finals to attend, but this year's prom was Friday. No extra travel is needed.

The Titans are typically the only club school from the western part of the state in the semifinals. They often face clubs from more established areas for rugby like the central and eastern Pennsylvania. The Titans might have surprised some people with their state title in 2016, but they likely aren't sneaking up on anybody anymore.

“I think winning the first one a couple of years ago had people saying, ‘Who are these guys?' ” Erwin said. “I don't know how people perceive us, to be honest. I hope people know us and what kind of rugby we play, but if they don't, that's fine, too.”

Winning a second title would add to the prestige Kiski Valley has built as the area's top club team, and it would be special for seniors like Luke Larko to go out a winner.

“To get state title again would be somewhat of a dream come true,” Larko said. “We're a fairly new club still. If you look at teams like Media, the team we beat for the first state title, their team have been playing together since they were like T-ball age. It'd be great to be able to say that I'm a two-time state champion for rugby.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.

Tags: Kiski School