The Raptors look to bounce back from the championship loss suffered in the final game of the 2014 season. San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) defeated the Raptors 39-38 to take the Premiership crown in front a capacity crowd at Glendale’s Infinity Park.
Glendale begins its season on Jan. 31st with a road contest against Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) in San Diego, Calif. The match is one of three road matches to kick of the Raptors’ 2015 league campaign.
“It is going to be tough with our first 3 games being away games while we wait for the snow to melt here in Colorado.” Glendale Raptors head coach Andre Snyman says. “The thought of playing in front of our loyal fans at Infinity Park after those first 3 games is going to keep us motivated.”
Snyman enters his fifth year with the team since joining the Raptors in June of 2011. A former player in his native South Africa, the one-time “Springbok” will lead the Glendale coaching staff for their second season in the PRP.
On the pitch, team captain and Denver native Zach Fenoglio is one of several returning players on Glendale’s roster.
“Everyone picked us to finish dead last and that was a driving force throughout the season,” says Fenoglio, who is also a USA Eagles pool player. “Now, our driving force is to regain our confidence back and prove to the competition that we’re a tough team and tough to play against.”
Fullback Dustin Croy, flanker Spencer Scott and center Chad London are also key contributor’s from last year’s final making the return in 2015. London was recently named Club Player of the Year by RugbyToday. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound bruiser led the PRP in tries last season.
The Raptors will also be joined by new faces, including Mose Timoteo, who captained SFGG in their championship win over the Raptors in 2014.
Following Glendale’s three-game road swing, the team returns to Infinity Park to host the first home game of the season on Feb. 28th. against Belmont Shore.
