Army West Point Athletics
Men’s Rugby Heads to Guelph for 2025-26 Opener
September 05, 2025 | Men's Rugby
The fixture kicks off the inaugural Cannon Cup between the sides.
GUELPH, Ontario – Army West Point Men's Rugby heads to Canada for its 2025-26 season opener. After finishing 11-4 a season ago with a CRAA D1A Quarterfinal appearance a season ago, the Black Knights are primed to open the 2025 fall campaign with a showdown at Guelph 1:00 p.m. Saturday.
The fixture kicks off the inaugural Cannon Cup between the sides. Each year, Army and Guelph will square off in a home-and-home, two-match series. The Gryphons will make the return trip to West Point in Spring 2026. The series name comes from the presence of cannons of both squads' campuses, including Guelph's 'Old Jeremiah.' Each year, the series winner will retain the cup.
The affair is also part of a five-match lineup at Guelph featuring a match between the second teams in each program, as well as Women's and Junior matches involving Guelph. Large crowds are expected.
"We're chomping at the bit to get started with our season," said head coach Matt Sherman. "We've been very pleased with the effort and focus from the team in our preparation. We know a very stiff challenge in one of Canadian Collegiate Rugby's strongest teams awaits us, and we're eager to learn more about ourselves in this contest."
A season ago, the Black Knights dispatched their Canadian rivals 53-17 at West Point to open the 2025 spring schedule. Dakoda Wagner and Isaac Gamboa led Army with a pair of tries each, with Gamboa adding a conversion to pace the squad with 12 points. Howie Heller added three conversions and a penalty for nine points, as Army pulled away with a 27-0 scoring run that stretched across both halves.
"The boys had a great offseason and are really excited for this long road trip to Canada. We're ready to get this season started and begin our climb. Can't wait to see how we do against a challenging opponent," said senior Jacob Bottarini.
"Really excited to take the fight to Guelph this year. They've been coming to us these past few years and it's always been a good contest. We've had a strong preseason ramp up for this first game and I can't wait to hit the pitch with my brothers again," said junior Jack Reed.
The Black Knights return their two top scorers from a season ago in Benji Kemp and Howie Heller. Kemp recorded 10 tries in 2024-25, with Heller logging 82 points via 25 conversions and six tries.
The Gryphons meanwhile finished their season 9-2 in 2024-25, having won their fourth consecutive OUA conference title. Four All-Canadians from last season's team all return to Guelph led by a pair of First Team All-Canadians in Tomas Dallan and Liam Bowman. Dallan, who majors in management economics and finance, was a major award winner at the Gryphon Athletics year-end awards ceremony back in April when he was named the recipient of the Don Cameron 3-Year Most Improved Award.
Army returns to Anderson Rugby Complex for its home opener September 12, with a 6:00 p.m. fixture vs. Walsh to commence its four-match fall home slate.
Follow the Black Knights
Follow Army Men's Rugby on X @ArmyWP_MRugby and on Instagram @armywp_rugby. Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about baseball and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
The fixture kicks off the inaugural Cannon Cup between the sides. Each year, Army and Guelph will square off in a home-and-home, two-match series. The Gryphons will make the return trip to West Point in Spring 2026. The series name comes from the presence of cannons of both squads' campuses, including Guelph's 'Old Jeremiah.' Each year, the series winner will retain the cup.
The affair is also part of a five-match lineup at Guelph featuring a match between the second teams in each program, as well as Women's and Junior matches involving Guelph. Large crowds are expected.
"We're chomping at the bit to get started with our season," said head coach Matt Sherman. "We've been very pleased with the effort and focus from the team in our preparation. We know a very stiff challenge in one of Canadian Collegiate Rugby's strongest teams awaits us, and we're eager to learn more about ourselves in this contest."
A season ago, the Black Knights dispatched their Canadian rivals 53-17 at West Point to open the 2025 spring schedule. Dakoda Wagner and Isaac Gamboa led Army with a pair of tries each, with Gamboa adding a conversion to pace the squad with 12 points. Howie Heller added three conversions and a penalty for nine points, as Army pulled away with a 27-0 scoring run that stretched across both halves.
"The boys had a great offseason and are really excited for this long road trip to Canada. We're ready to get this season started and begin our climb. Can't wait to see how we do against a challenging opponent," said senior Jacob Bottarini.
"Really excited to take the fight to Guelph this year. They've been coming to us these past few years and it's always been a good contest. We've had a strong preseason ramp up for this first game and I can't wait to hit the pitch with my brothers again," said junior Jack Reed.
The Black Knights return their two top scorers from a season ago in Benji Kemp and Howie Heller. Kemp recorded 10 tries in 2024-25, with Heller logging 82 points via 25 conversions and six tries.
The Gryphons meanwhile finished their season 9-2 in 2024-25, having won their fourth consecutive OUA conference title. Four All-Canadians from last season's team all return to Guelph led by a pair of First Team All-Canadians in Tomas Dallan and Liam Bowman. Dallan, who majors in management economics and finance, was a major award winner at the Gryphon Athletics year-end awards ceremony back in April when he was named the recipient of the Don Cameron 3-Year Most Improved Award.
Army returns to Anderson Rugby Complex for its home opener September 12, with a 6:00 p.m. fixture vs. Walsh to commence its four-match fall home slate.
Follow the Black Knights
Follow Army Men's Rugby on X @ArmyWP_MRugby and on Instagram @armywp_rugby. Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about baseball and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
Players Mentioned
Hooker
/ Men's Rugby
Scrumhalf
/ Men's Rugby
Scrumhalf
/ Men's Rugby
Center
/ Men's Rugby
Prop/Hooker
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