Simsbury HS Rugby Has That Championship Feeling

SIMSBURY, CT — If you happen to see local high school rugby players with an extra pep in their step, there's a very good reason.

That's because Simsbury High School's varsity rugby team completed a perfect season Saturday, defeating Stamford High School 33-26 to win the Connecticut Division I-AA State Championship and capture the first state title in program history.

The championship victory came during the 20th anniversary season of Simsbury's club rugby program and avenged a two-point loss to Stamford in last year's state final.

Simsbury entered the championship match with a 7-0 record, while Stamford arrived undefeated at 8-0, setting up a rematch between the state's top teams.

Stamford scored first and built an early 7-0 lead before extending its advantage to 14-7. Simsbury responded by leaning on the physical style of play that carried the team throughout the season, controlling possession and applying pressure through its forward pack.

The Trojans seized momentum with three consecutive tries, converting two of them, to turn a seven-point deficit into a 33-14 lead. Simsbury controlled the pace of play and appeared to be in command before Stamford mounted a comeback.

With about 20 minutes remaining, Simsbury received two yellow cards and was forced to play with 13 players against Stamford's full squad of 15 for 10 minutes. Stamford capitalized on the advantage, scoring two unanswered tries to cut the deficit to 33-26.

Simsbury regrouped during the final 10 minutes, controlling possession and preventing Stamford from completing the comeback.

When the final whistle sounded, players, coaches, and supporters celebrated the program's first state championship in its third appearance in a title match.

Simsbury HS head rugby coach Ed Matteo said the team's focus on conditioning and mental toughness helped it withstand Stamford's late rally.

"We stressed conditioning and mental toughness from day one this season," Matteo said. "That really paid off down the stretch. When adversity hit, our boys responded exactly the way champions do. They stayed together, trusted each other, and finished the job."

Matteo said the championship was the culmination of two decades of work by players, coaches and supporters who helped build the program.

"We have waited 20 years to get this job done, and what a fitting way to do it," he said. "I am so proud of our boys and how their will to win and never-quit attitude made them state champions. We did this for all of our past players, coaches, families, and supporters who helped build this program."

He added, "We were hungry to win and humbled to be the best team in 2026."

Founded in 2006, Simsbury Rugby has grown into one of Connecticut's largest high school rugby programs, producing more than 1,000 players. The team's longstanding motto — "Always Be Humble & Hungry" — served as the guiding principle for a championship season that ended with the program's first state title.

The victory secured Simsbury's place atop Connecticut Division I-AA rugby and cemented the 2026 team as one of the most accomplished squads in school history.