State Wrap Up - Episode 1: The Teams
It has been a whirlwind few weeks across the Southeast. We began with the Alabama and Florida State Series for Duals in early January culminating in their State Duals the weekend of January 22nd and 23rd.
Georgia State Duals were next as they held their duals at seven high schools around Georgia in late January (30th). The Georgia kids moved right Into the Traditional post-season with Areas and then the State Tournaments in Macon from February 9-13. Tennessee hosted their State Duals the weekend of February 6th and followed the same path as Georgia with their Traditional State Tournament taking place February 24th-26th.
Alabama split their Traditional State Tournament up into different locations with 1A-4A in Montgomery on February 12th-13th, 7A in Birmingham on the same weekend, and 5A-6A in Huntsville on February 18th-20th. South Carolina was much later this year with their duals happening just a couple of weeks ago and their Traditional State Tournament happening this past weekend. Florida also finished their Traditional State Tournament this past weekend in Kissimmee.
All of that to say - it has been a busy month and a half and it is an amazing accomplishment that we as a community were able to get to the end. Hats off to all of the wrestlers, coaches, parents, etc. that played a role in making it happen this year.
Because I have been so focused on providing Fan’s Guides - I have not posted many of the results. Over the next couple of weeks I will be providing you guys an overview of what happened … and the teams, individuals, etc. that stood out to me. We begin the State Wrap-up Series with The Teams.
French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr was spot on when he said, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Obviously Karr was referring to things far different than we are talking about here, but the saying still holds true. We saw many familiar faces claim another state team title in 2021 … we also got a little taste of some change in the air. Does that portend to a very different 2021-2022 or we will continue to see the same programs keep their grip on the top step?
Let’s start with Alabama and Florida.
What remained the same?
South Dade claimed another 3A State Duals title with a dominating performance over … everyone. They beat Southwest Miami early (the two teams always meet before we get to the Elite 8) and then steamrolled over Cypress Bay, Ft Pierce Central, and Riverdale to claim another dual title. In a bit of a surprise (not a huge surprise, but something to keep an eye on) - the Buccaneers lost the Traditional Region 4 Title to Southwest Miami, but once again flexed the South Dade muscle and claimed the 3A Traditional Title on Saturday evening.
Gardendale had their work cut out for them in 5A-6A. They were pushed by Arab in both the duals and at the traditional state tournament, but came out on top in both. This is a matchup to keep an eye on as we move into 2021-2022. 5A-6A is the deepest classification in Alabama and the battle among the top teams is outstanding. Right now - Gardendale has made it two in a row … will it remain the same a year from now?
Thompson claimed the Alabama 7A title with a dominant performance over Foley and Auburn before having to work to claim the title again with a 33-25 win over Vestavia. Interestingly, the Warriors did not win the Traditional Team title as the Rebels of Vestavia Hills put together a great performance to knock them off. It isn’t often you see one team the duals and the other win the traditional title, but that was the case in 7A. At the moment - those two teams are firmly atop 7A … can Hewitt-Trussville, Huntsville, and the others make a run in 2021-2022?
What changed?
Lake Gibson (FL) climbed back on top of the podium in the 2A duals (after surrendering that spot to Jesuit a year ago). They did so by winning tough matches with Jesuit (37-29) and Palmetto Ridge (39-32). Florida 2A was another instance where there is a difference in duals and traditional … as Charlotte (who lost in the Elite 8 round of duals to Palmetto Ridge) claimed the 2A team title in a race that was unbelievable (and something we need more of in the sport). I love dominant programs, but to watch every match count in 2A was exciting.
There was bound to be change in Florida 1A … as Lake Highland Prep opted out of the FHSAA in pursuit of a national #1 ranking. And in stepped Somerset Academy. Somerset and Palm Bay battled it out in both duals and at the traditional state tournament, but in both instances - Somerset came out on top. They are the new force in 1A - will they continue that into 2021-2022? We will see.
Alabama 1A-4A was also bound to change when the AHSAA did their reclassification last year. Eight of the top 10 teams in 1A-5A last year moved up into the 5A-6A class leaving Weaver, Cleburne County, Ashville, St James, and others to battle it out. Cleburne County surprised many people as they downed Saks, Weaver, New Hope, and then Ashville to claim the dual state title. But like Lake Gibson and Thompson … they could not duplicate that at the traditional state tournament. Ashville beat Weaver by 32 points to claim the Traditional title (both titles were won by Arab in 2019). So is Ashville the new top dog in 1A-4A? Or will we see Weaver, Cleburne County or another make a run in 2021-2022?
Questions heading into 2021-2022 …
Can South Dade hold off a hard charging Southwest?
Who takes control of Florida 2A? Charlotte? Palmetto Ridge? Lake Gibson? Jesuit?
Is Somerset the new power in 1A or was 2021 a one time thing?
Who wins the battle in Alabama 7A? Thompson? Vestavia?
Can Gardendale make in 3 in a row?
Who will emerge from the chaos of Alabama 1A-4A?
Onto Georgia!
What remained the same?
If there is a more consistent program in the Southeast than Camden County - I’d like you to point them out. The Wildcats did what they always do … Coach Jess Wilder simply reloaded with some hammers and they destroyed a good 7A field in both duals and at the Traditional State Tournament. They beat a good West Forsyth team 63-12 in the dual finals and topped the field (led by West Forsyth) by more than 100 points at the Traditional State Tournament. With the way Wilder has put together the Camden program … don’t expect their dominance to change any time soon.
Woodland welcomed Woodward Academy (the 2020 4A Champs), Cass, Harris County, Ola, and others into the team race in 2021, but none could supplant the boys from Cartersville. They added a third consecutive duals and traditional title and will look to 2021-2022 to make in 4 in a row.
What changed?
As always, 6A continues to be a revolving door of champions. Buford won it this past year over Alexander and Creekview in duals and over Lassiter and Richmond Hill at Traditionals. What is more interesting though is … 6A hasn’t had a repeat champ in either duals or traditional since Camden did it in 2015-2016. For the last 5 years you’ve had Alexander, Richmond Hill, Valdosta, Pope, Creekview, and now Buford claim a title. Will the 2021-2022 Buford squad be the first to repeat as champs in 6 years?
Nearly everything changed in 1A through 4A in Georgia. Jefferson, which dipped a little over the last two years, were back to their familiar spot on top in 2021. The “revenge tour” was a raging success as the Dragons demolished everyone in their path to 4A dual and traditional titles. They beat North Oconee by 88 points at the traditional state tournament and downed Flowery Branch 61-15 in the dual final. Sonoraville had claimed the last 3 3A dual titles, but lost to North Hall in the semis. North Hall beat Gilmer 37-27 in the finals, but later had to vacate the title due to an ineligible wrestler. Rockmart claimed their first title since 2003 as they held off Sonoraville for the Traditional title.
Chattooga snapped Social Circle’s streak a year ago at both duals and traditionals, but weren’t In the running in 2021 - and neither was Social Circle as they had dropped to 1A. That left the door open for some new faces to claim their first titles. Oglethorpe County downed Toombs County, Lovett, and Dade County on their way to the top step in duals, but couldn’t duplicate that at the traditional state tournament. Interestingly, Fannin County - a team that didn’t qualify for the Elite 8 Duals - won the traditional state title over Lovett. It is so interesting to see what it takes to win each of the different formats.
1A has long been in the remained the same part of this story … until the 2020 duals when Trion finally knocked Commerce from their perch. Commerce had won 6 dual titles in a row until last year - and they were still the defending traditional state champs (with 8 in a row). Well Mt Pisgah changed the game in 2021. The Patriots knocked off Social Circle and Commerce in the duals and then cruised to the traditional state title by 51 points over Trion.
The questions in Georgia heading into 2021-2022 are stark.
Can Mt Pisgah do it again - especially after all they graduate.
Who takes control of 2A and 3A?
Is Jefferson back on top for good in 4A?
Will anyone knock Camden off their perch in 7A?
Can Buford be the first repeat champ in 6A in more than half a decade?
Will Woodland fall to Woodward Academy, Cass, or someone else now that several of their hammers have graduated?
Tennessee and South Carolina
What remained the same?
Like Camden in Georgia and South Dade in Florida, Tennessee - in recent years - has been the domain of Cleveland in 3A and Baylor in Division 2. 2021 was no different. We saw the familiar faces challenge, but none were ready to dethrone the champs. In fact, no one was really very close in 2021. Cleveland beat Wilson Central 39-28 in by far the closest dual Cleveland had all season. The Raiders outpointed Wilson Central by nearly 100 points at the traditional state tournament as they rolled again.
Christian Brothers, Father Ryan, McCallie, Montgomery Bell Academy, and others put up a valiant effort, but none were very close to taking down a dominant Baylor squad. Baylor beat Christian Brothers 48-21 - losing just 5 matches in the dual state final. They beat the Brothers again at the Traditional State Tournament by 30.
Hillcrest continued the dominance in South Carolina 5A. The defending Champs (in both duals and traditional) rolled again in 2021. They beat Clover, Northwestern, and Summerville to claim the dual state title and then cruised to the traditional title over Byrnes by 28 points (in a tournament that had 6-man bracket - meaning the total points that could be scored was much lower than you would typically expect for a state tournament).
Eastside welcomed returning 3A Champ Indian Land up to 4A in 2021 as well as perennial 5A power Lugoff-Elgin and 3A power May River … meaning 4A became a classification with some very good teams. Well the Eagles did what they have done for years now … they rolled through the duals beating South Pointe, Travelers Rest, Indian Land, and May River. But they really showed how good this team is (and how good it could become) by hammering the field at the Traditional State Tournament - winning 7 individual titles (and just two of those champs are seniors).
What changed?
With Indian Land and May River moving up to 4A - South Carolina 3A was open to crowning a new champ in 2021. Well another new addition - Belton Honea-Path (4A last year) was more than happy to come in and take care of business in their new classification. BHP beat Union County, West-Oak, and Gilbert as they claimed the dual state title and then followed that up with a dominating performance at the Traditional State Tournament this past weekend. BHP crowned 3 individual champs (and put a total of 6 on the podium) as they outpaced Gilbert 33.5 points.
Crescent dropped down from 3A to 1A/2A in South Carolina and downed the defending Champs Bamberg-Ehrhardt in both duals and at the traditional tournament. The duals were close as Crescent had to hold off Chesnee before downing Ninety-Six and then beating a tough Bamberg squad to take the title. Traditionals was another story entirely. Crescent crowned 3 individual champs and put 5 others on the podium as they cruised to the title (more than doubling runner-up Bamberg-Ehrhardt (125 to 61).
Fairview knocked off defending Champs Pigeon Forge in the Tennessee 1A-2A Dual Finals - ushering in a change from 2020. But Pigeon Forge was back on top at Traditionals after battling with Signal Mountain, Greeneville, and Fairview.
Questions in South Carolina and Tennessee heading into 2021-2022 are stark.
Is BHP the new bully in South Carolina 3A?
Will Eastside and Hillcrest continue their dominance in the big-school classifications?
Baylor returns a great squad - are they the best team in the Southeast in 2021-2022?
Will Cleveland continue to roll through Tennessee 3A?
Is Crescent the new dominant program in South Carolina 1A/2A or will Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Liberty, etc. take it back?
The Tennessee 1A/2A Traditional Tournament showed how close Pigeon Forge, Signal Mountain and others are in that setup … will Pigeon Forge continue to be on top or will someone else knock them off in 2021?
Teams on the Rise
There are many teams that look like they are ready to make a big jump and claim a title or make a big jump into the top 3, top 5 or top 10 in their class. Will they? I don’t know. It really depends on so many different variables. But I watched a lot of wrestling over the last 6 weeks (both online and in-person) and these programs seem to be ready to push themselves into the conversation. I have left South Carolina teams out from this list for 2 reasons: 1) I wasn’t able to see them this season (even online - the # of matches I could catch was very small) and 2) The state tournament brackets are missing grades for most of the wrestlers … I can track them down, but not in enough time for these wrap-ups.
Bradley Central (TN 3A): Hard to put Bradley Central on this list because they are already amongst the top teams in Tennessee 3A, but 2021-2022 is their shot to beat Wilson Central and push Cleveland. They lose Anthony Lynn and Benjamin Stansberry, but return 7 State Qualifiers (4 of which will be Seniors) and 6 of the 7 made the podium in 2021. Add in a few pieces and this is a team that could push the other 3A teams.
Greeneville (TN 1A-2A): Greeneville did not advance to the Final 4 at the Dual State Tournament (although that wasn’t entirely surprising with the # being cut down this year), but they were in the hunt for the Traditional title. They graduate 4 including State Runner-up Hunter Johnson, but return hammers Kodiak Cannedy, Hunter Mason, LeAndre Dabney, and others. Add in talented 2020-2021 freshmen Zac Chrisman, Charles Dabney, and Cooper Johnson and this is a team to keep an eye on.
Hewitt-Trussville (AL 7A): Are the Huskies the next Alabama 7A Champs? They qualified their entire line-up for the state tournament and finished 3rd behind Vestavia and Thompson. They had 8 make the podium including Sophomore State Champ Hunter Jones at 195. Hewitt-Trussville is going to be a tough team to beat in 2021-2022 … do they have enough to take out Thompson and Vestavia … we will see.
Lakeway Christian (TN D2): The Lions lose Charpneter and Estes, but return hammers Brayden Ivy and Keyveon Roller as well as 8th grade State Qualifiers Jay Eversole and Cole Gumlick. Add in Colby Dalon (who had to sit out this season) and Lakeway will push for a top 3 finish in Division 2.
Lemon Bay (FL 1A): Keep an eye on the Manta Rays. They return State Champ Lance Schyck as well as 7 others that qualified for the State Tournament in 2021. This team might not knock off Somerset for the title, but I’d be surprised if they didn’t improve on their 18th place finish in 2021 … including a rise into the top 10 (possibly top 5).
Marist (GA 4A): Marist finished the 2020 4A State Tournament in 10th, but returns all of their 2021 State Qualifiers (12) including State Champ Nolan Pozzobon and State Runner-up Thomas Termini. Marist could find themselves in the battle for a trophy in 2022.
Mater Lakes (FL 1A): Mater Lakes finished 6th this past weekend in 1A, but return the bulk of their firepower in 2021-2022. Matthew Cruanes will graduate, but this squad return 285 lb. State Champ Ethan Vergara, State Runner-up Benjamin Rogers, and State Placers Dylan Garcia and Luis Bellon.
Mortimer Jordan (AL 5A-6A): Mortiemr Jordan finished just outside the top 10 in a very tough Alabama 5A-6A State Tournament. They qualified 12 and will lost just one to graduation - Zakk Thompson at 160. They also return one of the best 106’s in the Southeast in Brodie Christmas (State Champ) as well as 4 others that were either freshmen or 8th grade State Qualifiers in 2021.
Pelham (AL 5A-6A): Pelham finished 7th in a very tough Alabama 5A-6A State Tournament, had 13 State Qualifiers - 4 made the podium including State Champ Rafael Hipolito and none are slated the graduate in 2021. With Hiplito, Branham, Wanagat, etc. this team will be really good next season.
Ohatchee (AL 1A-4A): Ohatchee finished 5th at the Alabama 1A-4A State Traditional Tournament in 2021. They qualified 11 for the state tournament and graduate just one (and the 2020-2021 squad featured 4 8th grade State Qualifiers). If Ohatchee can keep their 10 intact and continue to get better in 2021-2022 - this is a team that could make some noise in 2021-2022.
Ola (GA 5A): Ola qualified 12 in 2020 and finished 5th in a tough team race in Georgia 5A. They lose State Gavin Hayes and State Runner-up Christopher Newman, but return a squad that could make a run at the title in 2022 with State Placers Conner Kimbrough, Reese Jones, Sam Harris and seven others that could make the podium. If they get 10 on the podium … this team will be tough to beat in 2022.
Palmetto Ridge (FL 2A): Palmetto Ridge nearly claimed the 2A title this past year in both duals (lost to Lake Gibson in the finals) and traditionals (where they came up just short to Charlotte). Is 2022 the year that they claim the 2A title … it sure looks like it could be. They graduate both Damas and Petraglia, but return 139 of their 145 - 2021 points. State Champs Brennan Van Hoecke and Tyler Washburn are both back as are State Runner-ups Carson Miller and Roman Garcia as well as a bunch of State Placers. This team is legit and will make a run at both the dual and traditional titles.
Pike County (GA 3A): Pike finished the Traditional 3A State Tournament in 10th (half a point up on Coahulla Creek). They do lose their hammer in 195 lb. State Champ John Lovett, but return enough in a wide open 3A to make a move up (and possibly) into the Top 5.
Social Circle (GA 1A): For those of you that know Georgia - seeing Social Circle on this list is surprising … “teams on the rise”. They are a team on top. Well they have spent a couple of years behind Chattooga in 2A and this past year to Pisgah in 1A - so they make the list. They also make the list because they sent all 14 to the Traditional State Tournament and graduate just one in Jacob Bergman. They finished 4th in 1A last year, but will push for the top step in 2022.
St James (AL 1A-4A): St James was in the hunt for a dual state title as well as finishing 3rd at the traditional state tournament in 2021. They qualified 11 for the state tournament, put 7 on the podium, and graduate just two in 2021. This is a team that could make a run for the top spot in Alabama 1A-4A in 2021-2022.
Summit (TN 3A): Summit is another Tennessee 3A team that could make a push in 2021-2022 (as they did in 2020-2021). They finished 5th at the traditional tournament and 3rd at the duals. They lose 2 State Placers in Justin and Austin Noll, but return 7 State Qualifiers (4 of which made the podium). It wouldn’t be a surprise for them to 7 on the podium in 2022 … that would put them in the hunt for a spot in the top 3.
Sycamore (TN 1A-2A): Sycamore finished in the top 10 at the Traditional State Tournament, but they return 6 of their 8 2021 State Qualifiers including Dalen Kimble, Logan Heckert, Luke London, and others. They probably won’t challenge for the top 3 in 1A/2A, but they are trending up and could make a push for a top 5 finish in 2022.
Valdosta (GA 6A): Valdosta finished 7th at the Georgia 6A Traditional State Tournament, but 2021-2022 could be the year they vault back to the top in a very tough 6A (although Buford is still sitting there as champs). Valdosta qualified 13 for the Traditional State Tournament and graduated just two - John Walsh and State Placer LB Neloms. They return State Champs Kaleb Davis and Josh McCutchen as well as State Placer Tyler Lamon. Keep an eye on this team in 2021-2022.
West Laurens (GA 4A): West Laurens finished 4th in the Traditional 4A State Tournament. It will be tough to overcome Jefferson, but this team has a shot with 11 returning State Qualifiers including multiple State Champ Chase Horne and State Placer Evan Guyton and Jake Shepard. If they can get a few more on the podium … West Laurens will climb into the top 3 in 4A and possibly push Jefferson for the top spot.