Santos vs the Witches
March 28, 2026 - CM
A Barn Burner
What is the definition of a barn burner? 40 plus points from both teams? 50? Old boy, friend and Santo semi-great prop Travis Hudson (also a long-time board member), might describe the term as “A DOUBLE SHIT TON OF POINTS.” Either way we can check all the above boxes, as this was a BARN BURNER. I compiled information for this write up from Captain Ryan Weir notes and Old Boy Ivan Calhoun, who sat the sidelines and documented highlights from the match, thank you both.
The Santos played this exact match one year ago (last game of the regular season against the Brujos). The difference was the Santos had already secured a Playoff spot last year and the Brujos had no chance of making the Playoffs. The Brujos beat us handedly last year, I have the scars to prove it. This time around the tables were turned, with the Santos fighting to stay in the mix of the Playoffs, they needed a win. Going into the match the Santos were sitting in 5th place with only the top 4 teams in the Southwest Union receiving a Playoff berth.
The match was held in Albuquerque. Newcomer, #14, UTEP transfer Eleazar Guevara, started the party off with a converted try. As far as I know, he probably owed a Zulu for this one, his second match with the Santos. Captain Ryan Weir lead a break for another Try, converted by Milaan Van Wyk (Tech assistant coach). Milan and / or Izzy came up with another Try shortly thereafter in the right corner. Up 19 – 0 in the first 10 minutes, Mateo Cardiel was not satisfied and added his own 5 points. Close to the 22-minute mark the Brujos finally dotted down with some points of their own after several penalties against the Santos. #14 added to his Try total for the Santos by chasing down a Milaan kick. SF with 5-meter lineout leads to another Try. A missed penalty from 40 meters from SF and it is halftime, score 38 – 5.
What the heck is going on? The Brujos are undefeated, leading the SW Union in points and a Home match for them. Were they taking this game lightly? I’m not sure. One thing for sure, the Santos believed they dropped one against the Brujos almost 2 months ago, losing by 2 points down in Socorro. Coach Rainer Ball told me at the 6 Nations watch party 2 weeks ago “I think we have the Brujo’s number, we should have won the first one.” Almost certainly the weather played a role, with wind in our favor the first half and a slight downhill slope. But wind only helps if your kicking skills can take advantage of it. Milaan Van Wyk was that Guy, pulling the strings and pinning the opposition deep in their territory with accurate kicks and slotting conversions.
Brujos basically scored right off the second half kickoff. Weak SF defense and penalties give up another Try. The Santos bounced back with #10 Elijah Naranjo making a big break and off loading to #9 Mateo for the Try. Another big break leads to a SF penalty. Brujos Try off the kickoff again. Score 48 – 26. Brujos score. Milan penalty kick. The physical play knocked out a few of our guys and both teams were making 60 minute substitutions. Multiple SF penalties in front of the posts gave the Brujos another Try. Another. What? Was this going to slip away after such a good start? 51 – 38 with 7 minutes to go. The Santos were up in Socorro 2 months ago with 2 minutes left, they lost… From the restart the Brujos score again, aided by yet another penalty. The Santos trying to kill the clock elect to kick for points off a penalty, missed attempt. Brujos score another and convert. What? 51 – 50. But who’s got the 50 and who has the 51? Your SANTOS do. Winner, Winner.
1 Gabriel Beltran. 2 Monster. 3 Dylan Merrigan. 4 Enrique Salazar “KiKi” “Sore Bum”. 5 Jason Osborn. 6 Mauricio Arriaga. 7 Roberto Griffith
8 William Bennett. 9 Mateo Cardiael (VC). 10 Elijah Naranjo. 11 Jaden Misfud. 12 Ryan Weir (C). 13 Milaan Van Wyk ( penalties, conversions )
14 Eleazar Guevara. 15 Isaiah "Izzy" Sanchez. Conor Hicks. Justin Stallworth “J Money”. Tyler Gomez. Jeremy Lithgow. Coben Branch. KC Martin
Scotty Piper. Sam Schwyter. Theo Rankin. Louis Pennings. Dane Robergs.
Rainer Ball Coach
By the foreskin, your Santos squeeze into the #4 Playoff spot…. For now. Santos are done with regular season but good Ol El Paso and the Brujos square off this weekend to finalize Playoff spots, we are rooting for the Albuquerque boys on this one, no disrespect El Paso. The little birdy told me our lineout percentage was HIGH, and scrum was functioning well, nice work forwards. Mateo, Osborn punched above their weight and like most write ups, Izzy tackled his ass off. Thanks to the UTEP guys that Monster has brought along and the old techies and the first year Santos. Great Win.
Remaining Schedule:
Apr 11th SWRU Playoffs in AZ
Training Sess… still Tuesdays & Thursdays at Fort Marcy, 5:30 PM
