THESE DOGS CAN SWIM
As we approach the season opener Friday night, it got me thinking about the Water Dogs and our recent form against them. After some thorough research ... (clicking around online and looking at old posts/videos), it appears the series is knotted at 4-4 over the last 4 fall seasons.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way … the Water Dogs have beaten the Barbos in the last three matches of league play. They currently hold all the power and momentum in the rivalry. Plain and simple. This team has come a long way since their inception and club founder Kevin Mann is a big part of that growth. Rising from the ashes of the Glendale club teams, to the Misfits, and now the Water Dogs, they are now a formidable force.
Oct 8th, 2022: Barbos 69 - Water Dogs 12
November 8th, 2022: Barbos 78 - Water Dogs 8
October 14th, 2023: Barbos 57 - Water Dogs 20
November 4th, 2023: Water Dogs 38 - Barbos 36
September 7th, 2024: Barbos 48 - Water Dogs 43
September 28th, 2024: Waterdogs 42 - Barbos 17
September 6th, 2025: Water Dogs 48 - Barbos 38
October 25th, 2025: Water Dogs 61 - Barbos 33
Center: Barbo Legend Carmine Hernandez; Left: Water Dog Legend Scott Nies
Friday night will be a good indicator of where both teams are in form. While the opening weekend doesn’t have a “win or go home” feeling, it surely comes with the pressure to start the season on the front foot. All competitive teams want to start in the win column.
And what an exciting feeling for the players … suiting up for a night game! The term “Friday Night Lights” is embodied into the American High School Football culture, but there’s room to grow it in rugby circles. We don’t need to try and cram all of our rugby into just Saturday. Yes, it’s the traditional rugby day … but it’s often directly conflicting with youth rugby. Don’t we want families to be involved on all fronts, youth, club and professional? Perhaps Friday Night Lights is the future of club rugby.
Catch all the action Friday Night, September 4th at Infinity Park. Tailgate starts at 6pm, Kick off at 7:30pm!