Headhunters advance to national semifinals

The Cedar Rapids Headhunters are putting Iowa rugby on the map. One of the roads on that map leads to the mecca of USA rugby.

The Headhunters captured two victories in the opening rounds of the USA Rugby Division III tournament last weekend to advance to the national Final Four in Glendale, Colo., June 5-6.

“I think it's pretty exciting for myself, our team and the history of the headhunters,” said Lee Boleyn, who has played with the club team for 12 years. “We have the potential to be national champions.”

It is the club's first appearance in the Final Four since 2004, which highlighted two straight years qualifying for the national tournament. This appearance, however, is the first since the national tournament expanded to 16 teams.

Unity played a key role for the Headhunters latest accomplishment. Teamwork propelled them to their first Midwest Final Four championship to reach the national tournament and continued through the first two rounds.

“Extraordinary,” said Headhunters captain Dave Isenberg, describing the team's performance last weekend. “We have a good group of guys who work well together.”

The club has injected some youth with the inclusion of some players fresh out of college in recent years. Matt Carey, a former Cedar Rapids Kennedy football player and NCAA Division III quarterback, Ricky Legree, a former Cornell College football player and Mike Coulter. 

“We're definitely closer,” Boleyn said. “We've had a good group of guys who have been playing together for a number of years and then we have some young guys that have come into the club. We've done everything we could to welcome those young guys as well and take them under our (wing).”

The Headhunters opened the tournament May 22-23 at Columbia, S.C. They blanked  Triad rugby club, of Greensboro, N.C., 40-0, in the first round. It was a sign of their stiff defense, which allowed only one try in the two matches. The  early dominance was a little surprising.

“We didn't know what to expect going down there with what the competition would be like,” Boleyn said. “We figured it would be pretty solid.”

The Headhunters continued to roll, dominating Old Gaelic, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., 23-13, in the quarterfinals. Cedar Rapids has been known for being big up front and Old Gaelic had good size, providing a physical matchup for both teams. The Headhunters tough, smash-mouth brand of play was too much for the Pennsylvania squad.

“They didn't like our physical style of play,” Boleyn said. “I think we dominated the whole game. I don't think the score reflected how much in control we were in that game."

Glendale, Colo., is the home of USA Rugby. The Division III tournament will be one of the many competitions going on over the weekend. A game between USA and Canada will also be held, as well as national tournaments for other divisions.

One of the attractions is the chance to play in a large stadium built specifically for rugby games.

“It will be like going to the old Yankee Stadium for a Yankees fan,” Isenberg said. “Then actually getting on the field and being able to play. It will be amazing.”

The team is two wins away from a national title. Many will load up with family in tow and travel to the Rocky Mountain state for a fun experience. it will eventually be a business trip once the team takes the pitch.

“It's definitely within our grasp,” Isenberg said of a national title. “There's no reason why we can't go there and win this tournament and the final two games. We have the talent, work ethic and camaraderie to do it.

“I'm going out there to win. I'm not going out there for second place or just be happy to be there.”