Prattville Christian Academy (AL)

Head Coach: Trent R. Staggs (11th year at Prattville Christian Academy and 19th in total)

Staff: Jason Furr, Robert Holt, Nathan Fuller

PCA qualified 3 for the 1A-4A State Tournament last season and finished 28th overall. Two of those three qualifiers - Brysen and Brody Pugh return - and both should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium this season. Prattville Christian is not unlike many small schools - they struggle a bit to get numbers, but that has changed in recent years and Coach Staggs has a bevy of new wrestlers (as well as some returning wrestlers) in the building of the 2022-23 squad. Both Pugh’s will be counted on to lead the way, but they aren’t the only ones. PCA return several others with post-season experience and will be looked upon to punch their tickets this season. David Tubbs-Hill, Matthew Post, Jace Copeland Aiden Cockrell, and freshman Logan Post have the ability to make some noise this season as well.

This is still a young squad with a lot of upside … how they continue to develop through the season will be huge in how PCA finishes 2023. PCA also return a pair of Seniors in Jacob Sabir and Alex Annotti in the middle of the lineup … both were State Qualifiers two years ago and will look to make an impact this season as well. PCA has a shot to qualify 8 or 9 for the state tournament this year … that would make them a team to watch throughout 22-23.

“Our numbers have went up this year to about 25 wrestlers, showing growth in the program. We are excited for the upcoming season as we should be able to fill almost a full lineup. Having two returning state qualifiers, 3 guys that just missed qualifying and 2 Seniors returning for their senior year that were state qualifiers for us as Sophomores makes us feel that we could have very solid team this season We have a good group of underclassman that will help fill out our lineup and make us very competitive this season.”

— Coach Staggs

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Pelham (AL)

Head Coach: Bill Strickland (entering 5th season)

Staff: Adam Lewis, Dillon Turner, Michael John Harris, Brian Loftus

The Panthers finished 14th in a very tough 5A-6A traditional state tournament a year ago. With the split of 5A and 6A - the Panthers make the move to 6A with 4 of the top 5 teams a season ago. State Champion Bryce Wanagat as well as State Qualifiers Stone Peerson and Zander Terry have graduated, but the Panthers return 3 that competed in Huntsville in 2022. State Placer Noah Schilleci leads the way after taking 5th at 138 - he is joined by State Qualifiers Trae Peeler and Thomas Peerson - both of whom won matches in Huntsville as well.

The Panthers will look Schilleci, Peeler, and Peerson to make the podium in 2023, but for the Panthers to be in the hunt for a top 5 finish they will need a few others to step up and punch their tickets. Coach Strickland has a ton of talent ready to make their mark this season … the big question is … which of these hammers are ready to do it in 2022-2023? Walt Calvert, Tanner McCarthy, and Cash Tatum all have post-season experience and will be expected to make that next step this season. Keep an eye on Nicholas Bamberg as well as freshmen Malachi Dahlen, Benji Augsburger, and Sam Powell to step in down low for the Panthers. Brayden Patterson and Drew Martin could help through the middle and Cohen Lee, Brodie Martin, and Jackson Davenport could lock down spots up top for the Panthers. Probably the biggest return for the Panthers is 2x State Runner-up Seth Branham who missed last season. This team should be tough from top to bottom … there is a ton of potential - the question now is who makes it happen this season?

“This is the most experienced group from top to bottom and most kids we’ve had in the program since I came to Pelham. We will have about 12 weight classes filled with guys who have varsity experience and 9 guys who have qualified for state before. We’re coming off back to back years with two different individual state champions and four years in a row with a state finalist but are looking to start making some noise on a team level. We’ve had a solid summer and are looking to roll that into the season and put Pelham at the top of some team leaderboards.”

— Coach Strickland

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Tallassee (AL)

Head Coach: John Mask (entering 23rd season)

Staff: Dustin Cook, Jake Baker, Nic Taunton, Mark Griggs

Tallassee qualified 4 for the 5A-6A State Tournament a season ago and the Tigers now make the move to the newly split 5A class this season. Brendan Emfinger has graduated, but the Tigers return Christian McCrary and Land Bell (Bryant Hathcock was listed as a freshman but is not listed to return) … each of whom qualified a year ago as either a freshman or sophomore. Meaning this is a young squad with a ton of upside. Bell and McCrary each won matches in Huntsville and will look to climb onto the podium this season. The Tigers also return 6 others with post-season experience - so the expectations should be pretty high.

Rutland Phillips and Mason Nelson return down low for the Tigers with Land Bell, Ethan Jones and Christian McCrary handling the lineup from 138-152/160. The Tigers will need some new faces to step in from 120-132. Caden Griffith, Jude Rogers, and Micah Cole will look to take care of the top part of the lineup and keep an eye on freshman Nollin Addeo who could make some noise up top as well.

“We are excited about the upcoming season. We must raise our standards in every area and work to get better. I am looking forward to starting practice in November, our goal this year as a team is to qualify all 14 wrestlers for the state tournament.”

— Coach Mask

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.