Season finale
April 18, 2026 - CM
Our Santos played the familiar Brujos last Saturday in a Playoff match at Tempe Sports Complex in AZ in the Semifinal for the D3 Southwest Rugby Championship. The Santos came in as the 4 seed, matching up with the 1 seed Brujos. Scottsdale and Pheonix Camelback were in the other Semi. I interviewed players Jeremy Lithgow and Jason Osborn for a recap of the match as I was unable to attend.
The Santos came out strong; it was a Herculean effort in the first place to even make the playoffs this season with somewhat of a rebuild in effect. New coaches, very new players, UTEP transfers, all away games, unable to use our home pitch for trainings sessions; all these things were hurdles for our Santos to overcome, but somehow, they did it, they made it to the Playoffs. Early in my Santo career, all I wanted was a playoff berth. Things were different back then, we were a D1 side and only the top team in the Union moved on. I just wanted to play an important match outside of the usual suspects in our Union. It took many years, but we finally made it to Playoffs, and everything just notches up another level, especially the physicality. This match was no exception; Hits were being made, by both sides. Our Santos were familiar with this Brujo side, this being the third meeting in less than 6 months, 1 win a piece, and the winner of this one moves on…
The Brujos opened the scoring in the first half but our Kadyn Erickson from El Paso?? scored our first try. An influx of UTEP transfers has been with our team the past 3 matches, brought along from past player Brandon Rey “Monster” whom I have had the pleasure of playing with, solid dude. Monster lives in El Paso, coaches UTEP, but prefers to roll with the Santos when he gets the rugby itch. He has brought along a handful of ex / current UTEP players to fill out our much-needed side. I was told these El Paso men have gotten significantly better from week to week and balled out this game. You must understand our current side lives in LA, SF, Albq, Socorro, Taos, LV and El Paso. I’m sure I’m missing a couple city’s but you get the idea… not exactly 20 guys at training twice a week. That is why I give these guys so much credit. The Brujos, however, have had an influx of players (some talented ex-Aardvarks moved over) and I hear they are deep in numbers, full training sessions, etc.
Once again, my reporting accuracy is lacking but at halftime, we are down 17 – 8. The Brujos scored again in the second half, and it’s an up-hill battle. And battle we did, our boys never let down, never gave up, supposedly never lost a scrum. However, our lineouts were less than acceptable, we credit this to lack of training sessions together, the timing of the lineout is crucial, and our boys just never got the reps in throughout the season. Defense was stout, allowing the Brujos only one score in the second half, Bravo Santos.. Our savior from the south, Monster, squeezed in a try and all the sudden things were a little more in reach. I believe a penalty is slotted by us. Then our Lock man Jason Osborn dotted down (giving credit to captain Ryan Weir) as Weir did the hard part but Osborn got the stat. I think this puts us down 23 -24 but we were unable to convert on the rickety PVC pipe posts on the dirt field. With no time on the clock, upon kick off, our forwards march down 60 meters and put us just inside their 22. A drop goal attempt is made by Cardiel, but it is just wide. What a match… 1 point loss.
Our Santos did not hang their heads, they were proud, exhausted, everything was left on the pitch. Subs included, impact Subs, the likes of KC Martin and Jaime Tarrazas, these guys helped win the second half. A betting man could have guessed this I suppose, 3 matches this year with the Brujos and only 4 points in it. If there was an official man of the match, Izzy could have easily received it, or possibly Dane Robergs. But this was the ultimate team effort I was told. A 1 seed vs. 4 seed and one point in it… I’m very proud of these guys and the season they put together against all odds. Nice work Boys, first beers on me..
1 Mauricio Arriaga
2 Brandon Rey “Monster”
3 Jeremy Lithgow
4 Enrique Salazar “KiKi” “QuiQui”?
5 Jason Osborn
6 Roberto Griffith
7 Jaden Misfud
8 Dane Robergs
9 Mateo Cardiel
10 Rainer Ball (Coach)
11 Eleazar Guevara
12 Ryan Weir (Captain)
13 Milaan Van Wyk
14 Kadyn Erickson
15 Isaiah "Izzy" Sanchez
Subs: KC Martin, Kol Fuierer, Tyler Gomez, Justin Stallworth “J Money”, Jaime Terrazas, Christopher Sepulveda, Taylor Pomeroy – (Asst. Coach, Communications, Organizer)
Look at this list of GENEROUS OLD BASTARDS, I MEAN SANTOS (Bad asses, Legends, Santos for Life Baby!!).
Dave Wheelock, Seth Johnson, Joe Lennihan, Jon Connealy, Kano Fisher, Corn Diggity, Richard Stump, Carl Hawkins, Greg Smith, Derrick Gordon, Ivan Calhoun, John Kormanick, Nick Forman, James Wernicke, Adam Jobes, Jake Brinton, Todd Fabec, Joel Elliott, Sean French, Peter Schoenburg, Eric Schmierer,
Jaime Bustos
Thank you Santos Nation for helping these boys out. Monies donated by the Old Boys for this Playoff trip secured 5 hotel rooms in AZ and a shit ton of gas / diesel… OUCH.
It’s not too late Venmo us @Santos-Rugby
Our Brujos to the south move on to the next round as they defeated Pheonix Camleback the following day in the SW Final. Let’s cheer them on, next match April 25th in Vegas against the Portland Pigs.
A board meeting is set for next week to round out the season and secure summer activities, Banquet date, End of Season Party, other events, etc.
Signing off for this season, once again, thank you Coaches, thank you for the support Old Boys and nice work this season Santos.
