The #9 Barons took to the road to square off against #18 John Carroll University for a conference match with playoff seeding implications. It was clear skies and an unseasonably warm afternoon as Franciscan wanted to make this a statement match to build off of for the remainder of the season. They did so, and more, taking down JCU 78-7. JCU has been dealt a tough hand with injuries and being shorthanded with their roster, but they still had to play the match. They played hard and to the final whistle.

Franciscan started things off quickly five minutes into the match, with a few pick and goes inside the JCU 22 meter mark and Dominic Grecol executed a pick and go and slithered past a defender for the match's first score. Christopher Ascough nailed the kick conversion for two points, and the Barons led 7-0, a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game. Once again, the Barons had control of the ball inside the JCU 22 and after several pick and goes, William Schaifer (Sawyer), picked the ball up and dove in for a try of his own. Ascough pushed the kick wide from the far angle and the score was 12-0, 15 minutes into the match. Déjà vu made an appearance in the name of Grecol as he scored his second try with a pick and go and Ascough's kick conversion bumped the lead up to 19. Not to be outdone by the forwards, the backline joined in on the scoring with a clean hands play out to wing Fintan Ahearn, who took the offload from Luke Lang (Lex) and dove in for a try in the corner. Ascough barely missed from the difficult angle and the lead was up to 24-0, 25 minutes into the match. Peter Rooney took an offload from Lang and slipped a few tackles and was on his way to five points, dotting the ball down in between the pipes. Ascough made the easy conversion kick and the score was 31-0. The Barons continued the onslaught with tough running and precise passing, as Joseph Moleski (Joe Bob) passed from the ruck to Ascough and he powered through for his first try of the match. Ascough converted his own try and increased the lead to 38-0. Franciscan finished the half with one more try as Lang threw a bullet pass to Paul Leerkes and Leerkes was able to shake a few defenders off and scored the try. Ascough punctuated the half with the kick conversion successful and the Barons led 45-0.

The second half was more of the same as the Barons continued to pile on the points but did so while maintaining their structure and not playing hero ball (individual plays off script). Joe Bob executed a precise box kick off the breakdown and Ascough chased it down and made a dazzling play-corralling the ball as a defender closed in on him and he raced to the tryline to score his second try of the day. He converted the kick after and the score ballooned to 52-0. John Carroll, however, returned the favor as their wing took a pass and was able to sidestep a few oncoming Baron defenders and scored their lone try of the match and the kick after was successful, giving them 7 points and avoiding a shutout. The Barons were able to move on from the try and Gus Wright grabbed a loose ball and touched it down for a try. Nate Bateman took over for kicking duties. Bateman was close to converting the kick at a hard angle and the score 57-7. Joe Bob tallied a try of his own after getting an offload from Ascough on a pick and go. Bateman converted the kick after, and the score was 64-7. Tanner Harris contributed on the last two tries, scoring one of his own and setting up Kolbe Evert for his first career try. Bateman slotted both kick conversions and the final tally was 78-7, Barons.

Tanner Harris earned Player of the Match with his defense and consistent play on offense. Peter Rooney earned the DAWG of the Match with his determined running and breaking tackles. The Barons thanks John Carroll for being good hosts and playing hard!

Franciscan sits in first place as Slippery Rock University was off for the day. They will meet up in a battle for first place and the first seed, which gives a first round bye to the victor. Slippery Rock is currently ranked #2 in Division 3 as the Barons are at #9. Kickoff is slated for 1 pm at Franciscan this Saturday, October 11th. The Barons hope to see a huge turnout to support the gents of the Barons Rugby team.

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