WATCH: Brevard Old Red Eye Rugby Club Plays in 2025 Super Regional Gulf Coast Men’s D3 Semi-Final

The Red Eyes representing the FRU in the Gulf Coast Super Regionals in New Orleans

CLICK HERE TO WATCH: Brevard Old Red Eye Rugby Club Plays in 2025 Super Regional Gulf Coast Men’s D3 Semi-Final

Brevard Old Red Eye Rugby Club Recently Celebrated 50th Anniversary With Florida Rugby Union Division 3 Championship

The Brevard Old Red Eye Rugby Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Florida Rugby Union Division 3 Championship after defeating the St. Pete Pelicans 33-15 at Gibson Athletic Complex in Titusville on Saturday, April 12.

After dropping their opening match at Sarasota in late January, 14-17, the Red Eyes compiled an 8-1 record and outscored their opponents an incredible 448-77, with 3 shutouts, on their way to their 5th FRU Championship.

In the semifinal match on April 5, the Red Eyes defeated the Gainesville Hogs 56-14 at Provost Park in Cocoa to advance to the FRU D3 finals for the 5th straight year.

In front of a large, vocal Brevard crowd during the Championship match, the Red Eyes took the pitch wearing throwback jerseys to honor the club’s founders and their first FRU Championship in 1988.

The Pelicans opened the scoring about 5 minutes into the match with a converted try after taking advantage of some Red Eyes’ penalties. Still, the Red Eyes answered back with a dive over try by lock, Kyle Frieberg, about 6 minutes later. Flyhalf Brock Roper’s conversion tied the match at 7.

The Red Eyes took a lead they never relinquished on a beautiful try down the sideline by speedy winger Eddie Escalera at the 25-minute mark, with Brock Roper again converting. Ten minutes later, outside center, Ulice Gillard, picked off a Pelican pass for an untouched 40-meter try between the posts, which Brock easily converted to go up 21-7.

Just before the halftime whistle, St. Pete again took advantage of a Brevard miscue with a penalty kick. The half ended with Brevard leading 21-10, but feeling much closer as Brevard was constantly put under try-line pressure by the bigger Pelicans, but the Red Eye defense continually did its job.

The Red Eyes elected to make no substitutions at half-time, while the Pelicans put in a new hooker and prop.

The Pelicans quickly scored an unconverted try to pull within six at 21-15, and it looked like the tide might be turning in their favor as they were once again continuously knocking on Brevard’s try line. However, the Red Eyes answered every challenge with textbook defense and tackling to keep them out of the try zone.

The Red Eye pack stayed strong and continually made it past the gain line on bangers to put the St. Pete defense on their back foot and wear out the bigger Pelicans. The faster Red Eye backs kept picking up yardage with good passes and support.

At about the 57-minute mark, Eddie Escalera again broke free down the sideline to score, followed by another Brock Roper conversion, and the Red Eyes finally had some breathing room and started to make substitutions.

The Pelicans never gave up, but after a converted try by fullback Jean-Eric Van der Elst at about the 75th minute, they realized this would not be their day.

The Red Eyes will now represent the FRU in the Gulf Coast Super Regionals in New Orleans on May 3 – 4.

The Red Eyes would not be as successful as they have been in recent years without the incredible support of their sponsors and fans. The club would like to thank its Premier Sponsors CMR Constructors and MedFast Urgent Care, its Gold Sponsors, Pig & Whistle English Sports Pub, Armstrong Transport Group, and Roper Plumbing, and its Silver Sponsors Gatto’s Tire and Auto Service Center, Dog & Bone British Pub, Three Bridges Planning, Island Direct Primary Care and Terry Mulreany.

If you’d like to support their trip, please CLICK HERE to find out how to help.

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