SOJO LEADS SHARKS PAST BULLDOGS

By Jose Terlaje

The wind and overcast sky made the weather perfect for some rugby action at JFK’s Ramsey Field where the Okkodo Bulldogs took on the Simon Sanchez Sharks in the Boy’s Varsity division. The Sharks came out victorious, winning the match 38-5 with Matt Sojo leading Sanchez with three tries.

The Sharks improve 3-0-1 and the Bulldogs fall 0-4.

“I told my boys I don’t care about winning and I don’t care about losing, as long as we are able to jell together as a team. If we only concentrate on winning or losing, we’ll never perform. We just need to work on getting together, understanding the fundamentals and understanding our jobs. If we make it to the final then we make it to the final. If not, we’re still working,” said Sharks Coach John Arceo when asked about what his team is working towards for the rest of the season after picking up this big win.

The Bulldogs looked ready to play at the start of the game, scoring very early. Not too long into the match, the Bulldogs were able to bring the ball down and get into a good position to score. While moving the ball down the field, Bulldog Richard Hale took the ball down the sideline and then cut inside, breaking past Sanchez defenders as he took the ball all the way into the try-zone. The conversion was no good though, only giving Okkodo a 5-0 lead.  This would be Okkodo’s only lead of the match as the Sharks turned up the intensity and got their offensive juices flowing.

Sanchez Kienan Lawrence Naval breaks away and takes it for a 20 meter run before being tackled at midfield. (photo by Joey Blas)

Just moments later, the Sharks got into an offensive rhythm that they would keep up throughout the game. After a smooth team effort in gaining yards, Matthew Sojo was able to run the ball in for his team for the try and kick his own conversion to put the Sharks up 7-5.

After the next kick off, both teams traded a few possessions in the midfield until the Sharks got the ball out to their backs and brought it down to the Bulldog’s 15 yard line. After a few carries from the Sharks’ forwards were stopped by the Bulldogs, Sanchez’s Sojo picked up the ball himself and ran it nine yards down the field for a try. Sojo’s conversion was also good, giving the Sharks a 14-5 lead.

From that point, the Sharks just kept it coming smothering the Bulldogs every time they gained possession of the ball. As the half was coming to an end, the Sharks put in one last effort to score before halftime and Kienan Lawrence Naval burst through Okkodo defense, running through an open space as he picked up 22 yards before being taken down. A penalty was then called and a scrum was given to Okkodo. After winning the ball back, the Bulldogs were unable to get the ball out of their own territory and Sanchez’s Johnathan Cepeda intercepted a bad pass to give the Sharks possession of the ball once more. Sanchez’s Naval got the ball again, this time running it in a few feet to pick up another try for the Sharks. Sojo hit another conversion and the Sharks picked up a 21-5 lead going into halftime.

At the start of the second half, the Sharks kicked the ball off to the Bulldogs and OHS’ Dylan Aguon picked up some good yardage before being stopped by the Sanchez defense. Something was different about the Bulldogs in this half as they were finally able to execute some plays, mostly with their backs.

Both teams then made attempts to change the pace of the game by kicking the ball out of bounds to force lineouts and get their teams more organized. After one of the many lineouts, the Bulldogs were able to utilize a maul and gain some good yards on the Sharks but were eventually stopped. The Sharks then got back to business and moved the ball downfield.

Okkodo’s Dylan Aguon tries to avoid being tackled by Sanchez’s Keith Dumanal. (photo by Joey Blas)

After a penalty on the Bulldogs for diving in the ruck, the Sharks were awarded a scrum. After winning the scrum, Sanchez’s Naval ran the ball a good 12 yards down the field before passing it to teammate Keith Dumanal who ran the ball almost untouched down the sideline before being stopped right in front of Okkodo’s try line. Another penalty called gave the Sharks a tap-n-go which was taken by Waylon Blas carried the ball a few inches into the trenches for a try. Sojo was good on another conversion and the Sharks increased their lead 28-5.

After getting the ball back, the Sharks continued their onslaught, with Blas picking up big yardage for his team. A number of penalties on Okkodo gave Sanchez a few of tap-n-gos. After gaining some good field position, the Sharks’ Sojo got the ball and shifted defenders right as he cut into the middle of the field and ran the ball 16 yards in for his third try of the day. His conversion kick was good, extending his team’s lead 35-5.

Later in the game the Bulldogs were knocking on the Sharks’ door, making it right in front of the Sanchez try line before being stopped. The Sharks were able to win the ball back and just kept rolling down the field. With the end of the game nearing, the Sharks looked to put together one last scoring drive. After a 25 yard run by Sanchez’s Thomas Ananich, a penalty was called on Okkodo. The Sharks chose to attempt a penalty kick. Sojo’s kick was good, giving the Sanchez Sharks a 38-5 lead as time ran out.

“I don’t care too much about the individual stuff. What matters is winning as a team,” said Matthew Sojo when asked about his notable performance. Although the stat sheets boast three tries by Sojo, the humble player told us that the key to rugby is communication and playing as a team. Sojo added that he wouldn’t be able to succeed the way he has without his team putting him in the position to do so.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Sanchez’s Keith Dumanal takes the handoff down the sideline and was brought down by Okkodo’s Jeremy Flores at the try line. (photo by Joey Blas)

Both teams getting ready to scrum to restart the play. (photo by Joey Blas)

Okkodo’s Mahyao Van Buerden battles to gain some yardage after the scrum. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sanchez’s Mathew Sojo slides in for his second try of the half. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sanchez’s Mathew Sojo kicks the extra point in the first half. (photo by Joey Blas)

Okkodo’s Richard Hale III runs breaks a tackle and heads towards the sideline and gets the first try of the game. (photo by Joey Blas)

Okkodo’s Jeremy Flores gets the ball out of the scrum and runs towards the halfway line. (photo by Joey Blas)