The club began in January when EHS student William Gilstrap worked with Coach Pat Reid from the Greenville High School Rugby Club and the South Carolina High School Rugby League.
Easley joined the Upstate Rugby Conference.
Easley is coached by Dr. Tom Liddle, a former USA Eagle player.
The team borrowed uniforms from the state rugby league and began preparations for their season opener Feb. 6 against Irmo in Lugoff. On a soggy field, Easley won 10-5.
Easley second game came Feb. 20 against Greer at the John Roberts Rugby Field on the Furman University Campus. Easley won 53-0.
Team members include Kendrick Baxter, James Benton, Caleb Bubash, Benjamin Burgess, Chris Campion, Aaron Davenport, Randy Flores, William Gilstrap, Dylan Landers, Winston Lawing, Austin Porter, Ryan Sanders, Coleman Smith, Cory Smith, Jeremy Sterling, Craig Timmerman and Zane Young.
Emily Gilstrap is the EHS faculty advisor for the club.
“A very special thanks to many individuals and corporate sponsors who are making EHS Rugby Club such a success story,” Gilstrap said. “These boys are hard-working and very excited to be playing rugby.”
The club will have a yard sale fundraiser March 13 in the Easley High School parking lot on Pendleton Steet. In the event of rain, the sale will be held in the school cafeteria.
The club’s next game is scheduled against Sumter in Greenville.
For more information about this club, contact Gilstrap at Easley High School.
Congrats to William & Emily on taking the initiative to create a team and win games! 2-0, that’s double the football wins for the last two years. And to the football coaches, don't deny football players the opportunity to learn a new sport. Embrace change. (They might learn some skills that can help the football team...)
“I can accept anything, except what seems to be the easiest for most people: the half-way, the almost, the just about, the in-between.” – Ayn Rand