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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Georgia High School Wrestling: Pope pulls the upset
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was an interesting first weekend in Georgia high school wrestling. No. 3 Pope defeated No. 1 Collins Hill, 33-29, although the Eagles were missing their top two wrestlers and two others who have a good chance of medaling in February. T.J. Mitchell, Allen Willard and Taylor Knapp were suspended for violating team rules, according to Eagles coach Cliff Ramos. Gary Tiller is recovering from a football injury. Starters missing or not, it was still a nice victory on opening day for the Greyhounds.
PFP on location
Pound for Pound once again will spend nearly every weekend in gymnasiums all over Georgia. We spent the opening weekend at Centennial for the Turkey Trot Duals. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Dual of the day
Kennesaw Mountain had a strong day that almost turned into a perfect day, but a 34-33 loss to Vestavia Hills, the two-time Class AAAAAA Alabama state champion, left the No. 9 Mustangs a little short.
Match we would have liked to see
Henry County and McEachern never got a chance to dual, so a 125-pound tussle between McEachern’s Brandon Westerman and the Warhawks’ Evan Warrington never came to fruition. Westerman has not lost to a Georgia wrestler since the 2006 State Duals, but something tells us Warrington might have the edge if the two ever hook up.
A couple of questions answered
Henry County will be a major factor in Class AA. With Warrington, Anthony Fretwell and an under-rated pack of lightweights, the Warhawks appear to be Jefferson’s biggest obstacle to its first Class AA state title.
Sam Kuntz is a beast. The Peachtree Ridge 189-pounder, who finished second last season, won’t finish second again. Kuntz is quick, strong and athletic and is a big reason why the Lions have a good shot at finishing in the top 10 again in Class AAAAA.
AJC Top 10 (Last week)
- Collins Hill (1): Four potential state champions sit out close dual loss to Pope.
- Union Grove (2): Wolverines pick up dual wins over Cass and Forsyth Central.
- Pope (4): Greyhounds follow victory against Collins Hill with blowout victories against Kennesaw Mountain and Whitewater.
- Jefferson (3): Dragons open season Dec. 5 at Panther Invitational.
- Lafayette (5): Staph infection scare cancels Ramblers opening duals; now scheduled to open Dec. 2.
- Centennial (6): Knights go 4-1 at Turkey Trot Duals; only loss to Vestavia Hills (Ala.).
- Harrison (7): Hoyas open season by hosting dual tournament today, then head to Kennesaw Mountain this weekend.
- Eastside (8): Defending Class AAAA dual runners-up start their first year in Class AAA with five consecutive dual victories.
- Kennesaw Mountain (NR): Mustangs have strong showing at Centennial, split with Walton and Pope, Tuesday.
- Wesleyan (NR): Wolves take first at Alexander Duals, going 5-0 with a victory against then-No.10 Whitewater in championship.
AJC Coaches Poll Week 2
(1st place votes)
- Collins Hill (7), 88 points. Last week: 1
- Union Grove, 74. Last week: 2
- Pope (1), 66. Last week: 3
- Jefferson (1), 64. Last week: 4
- Centennial, 33. Last week: 5
- Lafayette, 32. Last week: 9
- Eastside, 24. Last week: 6
- Walton, 20. Last week: 8 T9. Gilmer, 17. Last week: 7 Cass, 17. Last week: NR Others receiving votes: Harrison, 14; Whitewater, 10; Kennesaw Mountain, 8; Kell, 6; Henry County, 4; Peachtree Ridge, 4; Parkview, 4; Fayette County, 5; Grayson, 3; Wesleyan, 2
They said it
“He’s got to be the best I’ve ever coached as far as the work ethic and the way he handles himself. It’s great to have a kid like that, that you can point to for the younger kids.” — Union Grove coach Joey Dinino on 135-pounder Joey Lazor
Where we’ll be
Pound for Pound heads to Wesleyan today for a dual tournament involving No. 2 Union Grove, No. 6 Centennial and the No. 10 Wolves, among others.
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