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By Regina Shiroma

Sharks’ Donavan Alger scores the game-saving try after blocking a Dolphins kick attempt. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

They completed a perfect season. Though they were behind the whole game, the Simon Sanchez Sharks came back from behind and beat the Southern High Dolphins 12-8 claiming their championship title Saturday at Wettengale Field.

Sharks’ Donovan Alger saved the game when late in the second half the Sharks were down 8-5, Alger blocked a punt from about 20 yards out and sprinted for dear life into the try zone. The moments between the blocked punt and the try had the Shark fans standing, jumping, and screaming in anticipation.

McDonald’s player of the game: Sharks’ Donovan Alger

“I was thinking about how the whole team relied on this try. I just felt all the weight on my shoulders while I was running it. It just felt good to finally put that ball down and get the try,“ said Alger of the moments leading up to his score.

“This is my first year in rugby and it feels good to be able to be apart of the championship season.”

Dolphins’ Brandon Casil scored the first points off a penalty kick from about 30 yards out making the score 3-0. The Dolphins went into the halftime still ahead, and extended their lead early in the second. After working the ball down the field, Dolphins’ Art Toves placed the ball in the corner of the try zone jumping ahead 8-0.

Sharks’ Vau Vaiao gets stopped in his tracks by Dolphins’ Thomas Quitano. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

“The other coaches, were like ‘Aww coach man…,’ I said, ‘Have faith, you know these guys never gave up any game in this season so I’m not going to give up on them now.’ And they fought to the very end, and I tell you what, I’m speechless right now,” said head coach of the Sharks John Arceo.

The Sharks then brought the ball down into Dolphin territory, and after a penalty against the Geckos, Sharks’ Jaython Leon Guerrero punched it in for a 5-yard try. Wes Shiroma attempted the kick, but missed leaving the score at 8-5.

Then with only a few minutes left, Alger made is game-winning try and Shiroma kicked in the conversion.

“…That’s how I feel speechless. I feel great, I always tell them, ‘How bad do you want it? All the hard work for nothing? Don’t let it go to waste. They fought to the very end. They fought to the very end. They fought to the very end. It feels so good,” said Arceo.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Sharks’ Wes Shiroma attempts his first kick of the game. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Brandon Casil kicks the ball through the uprights. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Matthew Sojo gets the take down on a Dolphins Peter Santiago. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ scrum half Isaiah Cruz passes the ball out of the scrum to his fly half . (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Shawn Dumanal passes off the ball to his teammate to try and advance past the defense. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Nick Cruz gets stopped by Sharks’ Wes Shiroma who makes the tackle at the knees. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Nick Roberto looks toward the incoming defense of Sharks’ Kier Calvo. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Facundo Santamla stampedes his way to some extra yards before getting taken down by a host of Dolphins defenders. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Antonio Victor gets tackled by two Dolphins defenders. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Arthur Toves uses his speed to evade the tackle by Sharks’ Alex Torres. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Nick Roberto gets wrapped up by three Sharks defenders. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks Shane Hernandez gets wrapped up by Dolphins’ Peter Santiago. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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