STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – Baron rugby took its play to another level, defeating Fairmont State University 74-0 in the semi-finals of the 3 Rivers Rugby Conference playoffs.
Franciscan was clearly the more organized side and their precise execution on offense proved to be too much for the athletic Fairmont team to handle.
"We've been building that execution all season," head coach Chris Courtnell said. "We came out and really played for each other and I think that's the difference in games like this."
Another difference in the game was the running of inside center Jeff Baldwin who seemed almost unstoppable at times, particularly when the Barons' offense got him the ball in open space. Baldwin scored three of the team's first four tries and added another in the second half.
"The way he changes direction when he's running with the ball and seeing gaps is phenomenal," Courtnell said. "He's been so good all season."
Baldwin's performance earned him his first Man of the Match honors of the season. Baldwin's success set up the total team effort of Franciscan and team's ability to manipulate Fairmont's defense.
"We did a good job of using our forwards to suck in the defenders to create the gaps and where those gaps where we exploited it with our runners," Courtnell said.
The 74-0 score gives the easiest example of the Barons' ability to kick into another gear in the playoffs, particularly when compared to the team's regular season match against the Falcons. The score of that game, a 48-0 FUS win, the Barons matched by halftime this time around.
The win also came despite the absence of a handful of injured starters. Franciscan's depth pulled through, maintaining control of the game even when most of the team's bench was subbed onto the field in the second half.
"Everybody is as important as everybody else on this team," Courtnell said. "We're all pointing in the same direction and we're all there for each other. Especially now that we're in playoffs."
With this semi-final win, the Barons will advance to the 3RRC Finals which will be played at home on Saturday, November 8 against the winner of the other semi-final match between Robert Morris University and Geneva College.
Franciscan beat both teams in the regular season but Courtnell said his team needs to continue to work harder and harder as their postseason continues.
"This is where it takes a little bit more commitment and a little bit more sacrifice," Courtnell said. "The guys are self motivated now. As coaches every week we have to put in less and less because they're pushing each other. The ship is sailing and we're just steering it."
