Murderball

The Phoenix Heat quadriplegic rugby team has hot wheels, championship dreams, and a thirst for blood

A A A Comments By Susy Buchanan Thursday, Feb 28 2002

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The joy Phoenix has taken in destroying Texas has them impatiently awaiting the Sectional finals -- March 15 through 17 at ASU -- where the Stampede, still their strongest competition, has warned them to expect a much better game.

Kevin Scanlon

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But the Heat isn't worried. Their loathing of their Texas competitors, they explain, is deep enough to virtually ensure a win. "It's not like we're rivals when we play and friends off the court," team captain Hogsett says. "We're not friends. We really, really hate Texas. We hate everything about them, and that's why we are going to beat them."

Plus, the confidence they gain from a win against the Stampede may be enough to convince them they can take out the top-ranked Lakeshore Demolition in Denver.

And what the Heat needs to win is right in front of them, coach Nermyr says: It's the closeness they share on and off the court that is his team's biggest asset. "They're together all the time; they really know each other, and that comes out on the court."

"I've often wondered why we're all so close," reflects Cohn. "Part of it is that we have shared experiences, but then again there are a lot of guys in chairs I wouldn't want to hang out with. I hang out with my able-bodied friends, too, but it's easier with other guys in chairs. ABs [able-bodied people] are way too spontaneous."

"Yeah, we've got our disability in common, and that makes it easier," Hogsett says, "but I think we're such good friends because we all love the game so much. Rugby is such a cool sport."

But it is not precisely friendship that they will rely on to propel them past Texas in two weeks. "Everybody knows that as a team we play harder out there than anyone else," says Hogsett, and this is particularly true when there is a score to be settled.

"We're going to win it this year," says Gilliland quickly. "It takes heart and determination, but mostly you gotta want it, and I think every guy on our team wants it."