ELKHART, IN—When the season began on March 1 in Columbus, the goal of the 2025 Saint Ignatius Rugby Cats was to return to the National Championship game. Last season ended on a sour note after the Wildcats fell to the Gonzaga (DC) Eagles. Throughout the campaign, the Wildcats got stronger, gearing up for a run that culminated in earning the program's second National crown.
The Wildcats would face a familiar opponent in the National Championship as they would take on the Herriman (UT) Mustangs. Last season, the Cats defeated the Mustangs 18-10 in the National Semifinal. The final game of an action-packed weekend would kick off at 4:20 p.m. from Moose Rugby Grounds to determine the best high school rugby team of the 2025 campaign.
Both squads showcased their physicality in the match's opening minutes, not giving an inch to one another on the pitch. The Mustangs threatened early, but consistent and smart play from the Wildcat backline proved to be a hindrance to Herriman.
With 17 minutes elapsed in the first half, senior Mark French placed a perfect kick downfield to Tommy Passerallo, who made an immediate offload to Colin Spellacy, who was in for the first try of the contest. A fun fact for French: this was his 43rd varsity career start, and he has been the anchor for the Wildcats, wearing the nine as the scrum half.
The Mustangs would answer right away in the 23rd minute but, like the Wildcats, missed the conversion, keeping the score at five.
Five minutes remained until halftime; the Mustangs appeared to swing the momentum. They cut through a strong Wildcat defense and appeared to score the go-ahead try. But the try was waved off due to offsides, keeping the score at five a piece.
With time expiring in the first half, the Wildcats had a perfect maul, pushing through the Mustang defense into the try zone. One of the forwards, Andrew Morris, appeared to score the try. The conversion was no good, and the Wildcats led 10-5 through one half.
"Coach Bez said before the game if we stay patient and play our game, we're going to make them make mistakes," says Morris. "We were playing for each other today."
The Saint Ignatius Strength and Conditioning Department deserves recognition for the Wildcats' success in the second half. Coach AJ Short '09, Ralph King, and Donny Croft put the team in the best position to win.
The Wildcats worked their way deep into Mustang territory. They spent multiple minutes on the try-line, operating in their 'Code Blue,' trying to punch it in for a score. The Mustangs' defense held well, but the Cats continued to wear them down. Eventually, they punched it in for a score, and with a successful conversion, the Wildcats led 17-5 at the 35th minute of the match.
Herriman was resilient, again answering the Wildcats score, breaking away for a try to cut the lead to 17-12 at the 40th minute.
As time wound down, each moment became more tense. The Wildcats would again get the ball near the try zone and enter their 'Code Blue' offense. There were about 25 attempts to get the game-sealing try, but the Mustangs held steady. During these attempts, the Wildcats were able to burn about ten minutes off the game clock. Finally, there was a whistle, a penalty on Herriman. The Cats would elect to take the points and attempt a penalty kick.
"It was a good battle overall; Herriman is a great team," says Jacob Papesh. "Bez told us it was going to be war from the start. And we knew that our energy had to remain high all game, and it did."
Junior Hank McGowan's kick was perfect, putting the Wildcats up 20-12 with four minutes to play in the match. It was fitting that the Cats hit a game-sealing penalty kick in their first National Championship victory; Bobby Voth '22 iced the game with a PK.
Herriman would earn an impressive try to cut the Wildcats' lead to 20-17. But during the downtime before the conversion, the sir notified both teams that time had expired.
The conversion was no good, and the Wildcats stormed the field; they had won the 2025 National Championship, the second in program history.
"Every single thank you possible to our coaching staff and everyone who came out to support us today; it shows how far this sport has come," explains Papesh.
Oddly enough, this isn't the conclusion of the Wildcat season that will come next Saturday, May 31, as the Cats face the St. Edward Eagles in the Rugby Ohio State Championship. The Rugby Cats look to win their eighth straight State Title and tenth overall as a varsity program.
Gallery: (5-26-2025) 2025 National Championship
