Boys’ rugby, though not a certified varsity sport, has proved themselves as seriously competitive team here at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. The Raiders were 2-3-1 last year, losing to D.C.’s Bell High School in the semifinals of playoffs.  Last season they came out victorious against both T.C. Williams High School and The Heights School. 

This year, the Raiders have begun practicing and scrimmaging to prepare for the upcoming first game of the season. So far, the team has been doing strength and cardiovascular conditioning, which are “both huge parts of the sport,” according to senior rugby player Amgad Kamil.

The team is also studying film of the game in order to teach the new players its ins and outs. Senior Micah Xavier has never played before, and said he is “studying the game of rugby so [he] can be a big contribution to the team.”

There are approximately twelve returning players from last year on the team this season. Half the team has never played rugby before, therefore need the film and more experience.  The team has also “scrimmaged against higher competition than we’ll play” in the regular season, said senior Bryce Rakshys.  This is to help them get acclimated to the game and begin to work towards that higher level of play.

On Sunday, February 28 the Raiders scrimmaged the Anne Arundel Rugby Club and easily beat them 37-7.  Rakshys says that “our main weakness is experience, but we’re athletic enough to compete with anyone.”  Senior Temidayo Lawal feels “really pumped” about the upcoming season and thinks that Bell High School is going to be their toughest opponent of the season.

The Raiders are practicing four days a week to prepare to have a winning season and satisfy their hopes to win the league championship.