We are the 2014 Division 2 7s State Champions

This was Perrysburg's first 7s season in club history. At the beginning of the summer Perrysburg was just learning the game of 7s. The season looked to be more of a learning experiment, a chance to get fit and opportunity to play more rugby during the summer. No one ever thought that the team would pick up 7s so quickly. Because the Jackets were the only team in Toledo to field a team all summer they found themselves travelling to Cleveland every Friday to compete against teams that have a rich tradition of 7s.

The first taste of 7s for the Jackets didn't go so well. They quickly disembarked from their team van after a 2 hour drive to Cleveland and hopped right into action against Brunswick. Perrysburg looked flat and didn't quite understand the flow of the game and lost handily 12-31. That was all the Jackets needed to spark them on to win their next 8 regular season games in a row.

Perrysburg looked unstoppable going into Regionals. They won their first match against Dayton easily and it looked as though they'd roll through the field. Their next 3 matches were tough hard fought matches that Perrysburg found themselves on the losing side of the decision. This ultimately humbled the team and gave them the drive needed for the upcoming state tournament.

Perrysburg, because of the poor performance at Regionals, found themselves in Pool B of the State Finals. Shaker Heights was the first team Perrysburg faced and it was a tough match but they came out on top 19-12. The next two opponents Mentor and Stark County were no match for Perrysburg and they failed to put any points on the board. Although the matches were won with easy Perrysburg Fly-half Chris Labadie suffered an injury against Mentor that caused him to receive 3 staples in the back of his head. Because of the injury he would miss the next 2 games.

In the State Semi-Final match Perrysburg faced Highland, a team they had never seen before. Perrysburg jumped out to quick lead and never looked back. Perrysburg proved to be too much for Highland winning 26-0. After a long rain and thunderstorm delay Perrysburg ran onto the field for the Division 2 State Finals against Brunswick. At the beginning of the game Brunswick was pressuring Perrysburg on attack but the Perrysburg defense held strong. Perrysburg had problems mounting an attack due to the speed and good tackling of Brunswick. Perrysburg's scrum, anchored by Stephen Poll at hooker, outclassed Brunswick's and nearly every one went in favor of Perrysburg. With no time on the clock Brunswick scored a converted try on a broken play putting Perrysburg down by 7 at half-time.

At the beginning of the second half Brunswick again took advantage of a broken play to score another converted try to go up 0-14. On the ensuing kickoff Perrysburg advanced up the field and Brunswick committed a penalty allowing scrumhalf Caleb Wotring to score on a quick tap. Spencer Kluge converted and the score was 7-14. Perrysburg marched down the field again and found the try zone on a great run from Lucas Manning. Kluge missed a tough conversion and the score was 12-14 in favor of Brunswick. Injured Chris Labadie quickly found the try zone and was able to get in under the posts. Kluge converted putting Perrysburg on top 19-14. Perrysburg had all of the momentum at the point. Kluge restarted the game with a drop kick and Chris Labadie made a big hit and Brunswick coughed up the ball. Junior Stephen Poll was the beneficiary and scored putting the final nail in the coffin with no time on the clock. The scoreboard read 24 Brunswick 14. In their inaugural 7s season, the Perrysburg Jackets were crowned 2014 Division 2 7s State Champions.

State Tournament Scoring:

Caleb Wotring- 6 Tries

Spencer Kluge- 13 Conversions

Chris Labadie- 5 Tries

Lucas Manning- 3 Tries

Robert Shank- 2 Tries

Nathan Myers- 1 Try

Hunter Tammarine- 1 Try

Stephen Poll- 1 Try

2014 Division 2 7s State Champion Roster:

Spencer Kluge

Chris Labadie