NIcholas Horton ’24

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After beating perennial power Westlake High School in a hard-fought battle to end the 2021 season, the Strake Jesuit Rugby program has high expectations coming into this season. 

It has had a very good start, as both Varsity teams defeated Dallas Jesuit. In addition, Varsity Green’s victory was its first D1 match win against Dallas Jesuit. 

Even though these victories have been amazing achievements, they are only part of what the program is planning to do this year. 

“We want to be one of the top programs in the state,” Coach Jason Kimball said. “We have a very difficult schedule. That should challenge us to be our very best on a weekly basis.” 

Meeting these goals will take grit. According to senior player Dalton Ezell, obstacles to overcome this year will include “beating Woodlands and West Houston and showing everybody that we’ve got a state championship team.” In the past the Woodlands team has been hard for Strake to beat. It will require a lot of effort from all of the players to overcome them this year. 

However big this challenge may be, Coach Kimball believes that his team has a very good chance to prevail. “Our senior class is loaded with special talent,” he said, adding that their “selflessness and commitment” will be a huge strength and likely lead to an impressive season. Along with the seniors’ amazing leadership and productivity, the program as a whole has been rising to the occasion. 

“We continue to improve our game mentally with each competition,” Coach Kimball said.

However tough the competition, expect to see a very impressive and even historic finish from SJ Rugby this season as they are hungry to prove themselves as the team to beat.