Sports : Fourth rugby season under way for Wolf Creek team

Jordan Schmitz scores over a player from Waverly-Shell Rock during a tournament game in Dysart last spring. Schmitz was part of a team that won a state championship in 2016 and were runner's up in 2017. Photo by John Vaughan, Sr. Football numbers may be down in the high school ranks across the USA but the number of young athletes paying rugby is up. The game is now played by 35,000 high school athletes in the U.S., 10 times more than a decade ago. Union's club will enter year four with some major questions. Wolf Creek (Union club) will nolonger have two time MVP Isaiah Vaughan who graduated last spring. In addition, all-state players Koby Alpers and Kaleb Roach have opted for track this spring. Derek Holschaghas also graduated and is wresting at UNI while standout Dylan Stech is playing football at Simpson College. Standouts Jordan Schmitz, Sam Johnson, John Boisen, and Eli Kinsel have graduated. In fact, head coach Deandre Moore has moved to Des Moines due to a job transfer and handed the head coaching position to Isaac Benton. Benton was last year's assistant coach. Aaron Demory, a member of the UNI rugby club will assist Benton. This season is the fourth in Wolf Creek's history. In the second year, they won the 2016 small school state title. Last year they were runner-up. This year will be a mix of returning veterans with some rookies learning the game. The numbers for Wolf Creek are good, with nearly 20 out. Fans can be assured that Kyle Gross, Jon Millard, Seth Wirtz, Mason Scott, John Adelmund, Richie Arteaga, and Rashawn Williams will not disappoint you with the effort of their play. Fill in the gaps with some proven JV talent from last year and you can be assured WolfCreek will be a team that will improve throughout the season. Rugby is a fast-moving, physical game. There are no pads worn and equipment is a jersey, shorts, and shoes. Sevens matches go quickly with two-seven minute halves and a two-minute intermission. A fan really doesn't have time to worry about a concession stand break until after the game. All home games will be played in Dysart at the UMS middle school football field. There are two consecutive weekends where tournaments will be hosted in Dysart under the lights. Mark your calendars now for Friday, April 13 and Friday, April 20. The first weekend of play is Friday, March 30th. Makeyour plansnow to travelto Waverly on Friday March 30th as Union (Wolf Creek) takes on defending small school champion Waverly-Shell Rock at 7:20pm and then plays Denver at 8:20 pm. The entire schedule can be found by going towww.wolfcreekrugby.comor go to the state site:http://www.iayra.org/.