Chicago, IL — The boys started the season with victories in league play! The fresh/sophs played a beautiful game winning 30-22. James Grealy at 10 and George Roman at 9 made some great decisions through out the first half to get the early lead. Power runs by Dax Hutchinson, Richie Marzano and Alyas Ivery punished the opposition. Start of the second half Chesterton made a run to bring the score with-in two but the boys were able to pull away the end and get the bonus point victory. Varsity battled back and forth with a 5-5 tie at 1/2 Several offside penalties by Taft and lots of knock-ons by both sides made this a challenging game. In the end the boys were able to seal the win in the final few minutes. Tremendous tackling was on display all game. Here is the Varisty game write up from the other team. On a rain-drenched field on Chicago's North Side, two RIL D2 contenders clashed in a game played under the lights on Wednesday night. The Taft Eagles hosted the Chesterton Saints in an entertaining back and forth match that showcased both teams distinctive style and flair. The Eagles took early advantage in field position and took the opportunity of some anxious play by the Saints and spent the first quarter of the game in Saints territory. The wet conditions led to numerous scrums through the match (27 in total) and the Eagles strategy of containing play to the center of the field and grinding the attack paid dividends when their patient running finally broke through the stubborn defense of the visitors and put a try on the board on the 16th minute. Down but never out, the Saints responded with clever kicking and outside probing attacks, testing the mettle of the Eagle back line and utilizing their speed to the outside. With five minutes left in the half, fly-half Judah Newsom put a dazzling 30-meter run through the Eagle lines and touched down in the corner to bring the scores level at 5-5. After half-time adjustments, it was the Eagles who once again struck first, this time stretching the Saints line with quick runs off the ruck and dotting one down in the south try-zone to push the Eagles ahead 10-5. After another several minutes of scrummaging and exchanging kicks and lineouts, the Saints once more pressed the attack down the field with a series of crashing runs by 8-man Ben Beto and were rewarded when he surged over the line in the 56th minute for the tying score. Fly-half Newsom added the conversion to put the visitors ahead 12-10. The next several minutes showcased both stalwart defense by the Saints, led by senior lock Jonah Kirstein, and patient and steady attack by the Eagles. Twice the hosts crossed the line but were held up and driven back. Another opportunity was lost when the ball was knocked forward. The Saints, however, were unable to clear their lines and the Eagles finally were rewarded by a third try, which referee Amanda Cross had to wade through a sea of defenders and attackers to confirm. Now up 15-12, the Eagles had no time to rest as the Saints launched their counter attack in the waning minutes of the game. They drove the ball deep into Eagle territory but lost control inside the opponent 22 and were unable to capitalize on set piece play opportunities, and the Eagles drove back the visitors to their own side of the pitch. With 2 minutes left on the clock, the Saints had one final opportunity when they created a 3-1 overload to the outside, but this was lost due to a knock-on. The Eagles controlled the ball for the final seconds and kicked it clear to end the match and earn a hard-fought victory. Next up for the Saints is another away fixture against the Fox Valley Predators on April 8, while the Eagles will stay at home against the Chicago Lions on April 3.