The Maddawgs closed their season last Friday losing a close game 26-22 on Senior Night. Despite a loss, Head coach Evan Kaplan said he felt the outcome was a great step up from the Auburn Rugby game that resulted in a 77-14 loss.
“We could have easily rolled over after our loss against Auburn, but these guys came out with a positive attitude and played their best game all season,” Kaplan said. The perfect Crimson Tide proved to be a more than worthy opponent for the Maddawgs, but it was a close game nonetheless. Kaplan said he was still able to draw positives from the game despite the loss.
“I am very proud of everything the guys did during the game,” the Head coach said.
“It’s been a tough season and even with the loss, we came as close as five meters of beating the best SCRC team.”
A quick game reschedule meant less time to prepare against Crimson Tide and less time to prepare properly for senior night.
It was ultimately the end of four senior Maddawgs’ journey. Derrick Mitchell, Pieter Both, Omar McClendon and Dental Daniels closed their Maddawgs career that night. These were the guys who thrived for greatness quietly as Mississippi State Rugby was in the shadows of other sports.
“I feel happy leaving a nationally ranked team because we worked so hard the past four years to get there,” Daniels proudly said. “How many people can say they played for a nationally ranked team?” He also applauded his fellow underclassmen teammates for playing their hearts out.
Those upperclassmen are Demarrion Haynes, Terrance Matthews and Alexander Schultz, who totaled for four tries. The environment during the night was a great family environment for the four seniors to have a meaningful Rugby farewell.
“There was no better way to go out with a bang than by doing something you have grown to love and doing it with my family,” Mitchell exclaimed. They all agreed the experience of having the opportunity to compete in SEC Rugby will be a memorable experience .
“I’ll never forget all the teammates and friends I made while playing Rugby,” McClendon said.
Evan Kaplan said he looks forward to 18 players coming back for a successful 2016 season.
