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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: April 20, 2007 AHS rugby team braces for playoffs By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Three years after starting the program from scratch, Ashland High rugby coach Bill Cooney says the Grizzlies are ready to take their next big step: playoff success. They'll get their chance Saturday, when Ashland travels to Springfield to play West Linn A in the first round of the eight-team Oregon Youth Rugby playoffs. The winner advances to the state semifinals, where the likely foe will be defending state champion Eastside. Ashland enters Saturday's game as the favorite. The No. 2-seeded Grizzlies are undefeated at 4-0, according to Cooney, and are coming off a 64-0 victory over McKenzie. "I think one of our strengths is that the kids have allowed themselves to be very coachable," Cooney said. "When I teach things to them they really grab onto them." Cooney added that his coaching style and thus Ashland's style of play has changed significantly from the program's initial two seasons, when the Grizzlies were taught to "run it up and right into something." "This year we've gone against the traditional rugby, even to what coaches are trying to do up north," Cooney said, adding that this year's team utilizes "a lot more running and passing, trying not to get the ball bound up in the rucks or mauls." Rucks and mauls are basically pile-ups in rugby, a bone-crushing sport that resembles football, minus the helmets and pads. Ashland has decent size, but has relied mostly upon its athleticism and smarts. "Some of these teams (that Ashland has played) have big strong kids, but they run across the field a couple times and they're tired," Cooney said. "I've got some kids that can really run. "I'm very excited, actually. I think we have a chance at state." To get to the finals, Ashland will most likely have to get past Eastside. The time and place of that likely semifinal clash has already been arranged by the coaches. If both teams advance, Ashland and Eastside will play at 4 p.m. Monday at Phillips Field, with the winner advancing to the finals. For more information, go to www.oregonyouthrugby.org or www.ashlandrugby.bravehost.com /index1.html. Sports editor Joe Zavala can be reached at 482-3456 x 224 or joe. [email protected] Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us