Port Charlotte (FL)

Port Charlotte is definitely a program on the rise … they move from 2A to 1A in 2021-22 and with the hammers that they return - this is a team that should make some noise this season. Koen Hoffman and Okten Logue both finished on the 2A podium in 2021 and both will be amongst the favorites to claim a 1A title in 2022. But the Pirates are far from being just two hammers … this team has depth.

The Pirates welcome back Nick Sloan, Grant Laballister, Tyler Rodriguez, Derek Pinedo, and Josiah Arroyo. All 5 won multiple matches at the 2A Region 3 tournament in 2021 and each has the ability to punch their ticket to the state tournament in 2022. With 7 wrestlers that have a legit shot to be in Kissimmee and several with a chance to climb high on the podium - the Pirates are poised to have quite a season (top 10 finish anyone?). We won’t get ahead of ourselves because there is a lot of wrestling between now and March, but Coach Crane has this team in position to make a run in 2022.

“It’s going to be a fun season for my Pirates this year.”

— Coach Crane

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Jasper (AL)

The Vikings have developed into a program under the leadership of Coach Otis as a team that reloads rather than has to rebuild. That is a testament to the work Coach Otis and his staff have done with getting “buy-in” from wrestlers all the way down in the system. The Vikings finished 10th in the 5A/6A State Tournament and graduated State Runner-up Manny Havis as well as a solid core of Seniors. But they are not in a position to simply have to rebuild … Coach Otis and staff have already groomed the next group coming through and the Vikings are ready to step right back in the mix again in 2021-22.

Four of their 5 State Placers from 2021 return including Seniors Preston Reed and Moises Sanchez - both of whom will be hunting the top step in 2022. The Vikings also return State Placer Cooper Brooks and Ethan Caldwell as well as 3 other State Qualifiers in Antonio Nash, Cole Carter, and Jamie Burnham. That means the Vikings have 8 spots pretty much wrapped up with proven veterans … how high the Vikings climb in 2022 will be up to the development of the wave. Zach Whitehead, Jaylen Martinez, and Carter Reed are poised to make their mark in 2022 - keep an eye on them.

“The team is looking good. We are working hard and I’m excited about the upcoming season. We graduated a great group of seniors but have a solid group returning ready to step up and take over. We would love to have another top 10 team with how difficult this 5A-6A tournament was last year. We return 4 of our 5 state placers and are looking to add to that group.”

— Coach Otis

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Elbert County (GA)

Elbert County lose some serious firepower from their team that finished tied for 4th a year ago. State Champ Jamal Rucker, State Runner-up Tyshawn Hughes, and State Placer Irbin Olmos have all graduated. The Blue Devils will look to returning State Placers Khrystian Anderson, Carter Fleming, and Trez White to carry the load in 2022. All three will look to climb the podium in 2022, but for the Blue Devils to stay in the hunt for a top 3 finish in the team race they will need Josiah Harkins, Javier Rodriguez, and several new faces to step up. Look for Jamaze Hall and Matt Smith to make some noise if the Elbert County is going to be back in the thick of the team race again.

“We are going to be young this year. We return several wrestlers that competed a lot last year so we hope they can use that experience for this season. We only return 3 state placers but several guys that competed at state.”

— Coach Anderson

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