The Rugby team opened up its season on Friday, April 14 at home against Grandville. The team was looking to start off hot and win the first game of the season. And this was also a big game because the Deadheads have yet to beat Grandville two years ago they lost 81-0 and last year they lost 61-3.

“We are three years into our plan and we nearly caught them today,” coach Anderson said. “We played good rugby and were fundamentally strong. Our leadership kept us in the game and we nearly upended a very Grandville team.”

The first half was a hard-fought battle for both teams. Right from the get-go, the Deadheads knew it was going to be a battle all game. The Deadheads got points from FHN’s Roman Hager, GRC’s Harry Hilts, and Caleb Fish from FHN. The first half of the play was executed very well and the Deadheads only went into the half down by seven as the score was 14-7 Grandville.

The Deadheads came back into the game hungry and eager for a win. They started the half hot, but Grandville matched the intensity and it was gonna be another heated and competitive half. The Deadheads got even more from the same contributors as the first half Caleb, Harry, and Roman continued to show out and keep the Deadheads in the match as the Grandville team continued to push forward and fight.  The game was all tied up at 21-21 in the last seconds and the Grandville Bulldogs were granted a penalty off of an obscure call and rule. It was a very tough break but the Deadheads fell short by 21 to 24. It was a very impressive outing by the Deadheads in their first game and they look to build off this performance heading into their next game which is Friday, April 21 at home.

“I don’t think we are going to change much from the previous game,” senior captain Evan Lubban said. “All of us are proud of each other coming out the gates that fast and making a huge impact on the game.”

“Our first game went very well, I liked how we played,” junior Alex Korff said. “It was a good kickoff game than previous years for us rather than previous years.”