The Texas stampede begin the 2015 national championship quad rugby tournament with an opening match against the grand rapids thunder. Texas seeded number two in the tourney and fresh off a second place finish in the mountain Sectional, was looking to make a statement.

The stampede started Bond Kirkland Schacherbauer and Butler. Winning the tip the stampede jumped up quick to a 1-0 lead and never trailed for the rest of the game. "we really played at a higher level in the first quarter,", send Coach James Gumbert. The stampede, played a smothering defense and flawless offense to drive the boys in burnt orange to a 13-8 first quarter lead.

The second would see the stampede go to their bench with veterans Markr Zupan and Landon Groff teaming up with Chris Bond and Jeff Butler to run the stampede hi/low Said Jeff Butler, "we really played patient out there." The Four would see the lead expand by two and give the 2's a break.  "We really wanted to try and use our bench today and felt like everyone on the team would be able to contribute". Said coach Gumbert.

The third-quarter would once again see the stampede go to their bench and play the deuces. Led Behind veteran Shawn the captain Meredith and CJ Brown. The team was able to expand upon their lead and stretch it to seven. "It was great to get back out on the court said the captain . "I really felt like I was able to contribute to helping the team". At the end of three the stampede had expanded their lead to nine

The fourth quarter saw the return of veterans Daniel Curtis and Reece the goose Whittaker.  Both were instrumental in helping the team close out a total team victory. The final score Texas 60 Grand Rapids 46.  "It was a great step for us to begin the tournament this way and we really felt like we were able to play a complete game" said coach Gumbert.

Game 2 had the stampede going against the Seattle slam. Texas had not seen the slam the entire 2014-15 year. They would feature former stampede member from Japan Diasuke Ike. Seattle would run a Hilow offense and a very very low pressure defense. Starting with Bond Kirkland Schacherbauer and Butler  the stampede would jump up to an early lead in the first quarter.  The stampede received their first technical of the tournament when coach Gumbert challenged the scorebook to see if the score was right. "we thought the clock had missed the goal for the stampede and we're challenging it and discovered that the clock was right and we were assessed the technical" Said coach Gumbert. The technical and frustration would quickly motivate the team and force them to play at even higher tempo.

The second quarter saw the sub of CJ Brown in for Schacherbauer. " I just want to be able to come in and do the best I can for the team" said CJ. His fresh arms and good passes proved to be exactly with the team needed and helped to expand the lead to four at halftime. "We thought we were going to be able to wear Seattle down. At the end of halftime we looked up and saw Ike with ice on his head and knew that we would be able to challenge Seattle with are bench". 

The third-quarter proved to be the breaking point for Seattle. Led behind Schacherbauer  and Kirkland, The two deuces were able to shut down Ike and Butler and Bond were able to work against the remainder of the slam players to create turnovers.  at the end of three the stampede  led  by 10. 

The fourth-quarter saw the stampede go to the bench and rely on Symons, Kirkland, Brown and Garcia to finish the game. "We really wanted to come out and give the starters a break" said Gabe Garcia.  The four would finish the quarter and the game and lead the stampede to a victory over the slam.  Texas 69 Seattle 46. 

The stampede finished 2-0 on day one of the national championships and play the Tucson renegades for top position in pool play. The game will be webcast. For more information go to www.fearthesteer.com.